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02-01-2017 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 1 of 12 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary Ellen Manning David Gillanders (Alternate) Mary Ellen Laster Megan Penn Eva Perez Fernando Rico Janice Mickelson-Weilmuenster I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:39 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 25, 2017 Committee Member Perez moved, seconded by Committee Chair Penn, to approve the January 25, 2017, Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 4-0 (Manning abstained; absent Gillanders) CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 2 of 12 III. FUNDING PRESENTATIONS BY NONPROFIT AGENCIES AGENCY:ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ORANGE PROJECT:Operation School Bell Request funds to purchase school uniforms, shoe vouchers and hygiene kits Amount Requested:$15,000 Total Project Cost:$107,815 Charlotte Vaughn, Grants Administrator/Committee Chair, thanked the Committee for their past support of this program, noting that this is the agency’s 54th year of providing clothing for children. She added that this is the agency’s longest standing program; and that last year, they celebrated their 75th anniversary here in Orange. She advised that not too much has changed with the program; noted that in coordination with the Penney’s store in Orange, they dressed 75 non-uniformed children; and advised that there are a number of elementary schools that do not have a uniform program. Deida Conrad, Operation School Bell Chair, advised that Fletcher Elementary School successfully voted to go to a uniformed program last year. Ms. Vaughn pointed out there are clothing needs at all of the schools; and that Operation School Bell helps the children fit in by providing them with new clothing. Ms. Conrad passed around some thank you notes the children have written expressing their appreciation of the new clothing. Committee Member Manning asked if the children return for hygiene necessities once they run out. Ms. Vaughn responded that the agency cannot provide a year’s supply, but pointed out the children are given full-sized bottles of hygiene items; and she added just by giving them the hygiene kits, it has the potential to inspire them to continue on with their hygiene habit once they start using the kits. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 3 of 12 Committee Member Rico asked what the process is to bring in a school uniform program. Ms. Conrad advised that the parents and the administration typically have a drive to vote at a PTA meeting. Committee Chair Penn asked what the children receive for the $100; and asked if they are dressing the same number of children this year. Ms. Vaughn stated that with this money, each child walks away with very good quality, new clothing that usually sustains their school clothing needs throughout the school year; and advised that they will dress the same number of children this year with the funding. She advised that they missed the total number of children they had planned to dress last year by 30 or 40, noting that some parents either do not show up for a dressing appointment or have to work and do not make new appointments; but added that the agency’s goal for this year has been lowered by 25 elementary children to make sure the annual goal is met. Committee Member Manning invited the agency to contact her should they run out of books to distribute to the kids, noting that The Friends of the Orange Library can assist. Ms. Conrad advised that each child gets to pick out the books they want, noting they have gender/age specific books in their selection. Ms. Vaughn stated that they have made a few changes to clean up their paperwork/forms to make it more in line with CDBG guidelines; and advised that by this summer, all school aides will be using the same forms. Ms. Conrad stated that they put on an appreciation brunch for the aides in August; that at this brunch, they discuss any problems they had during the year; and noted that they will undertake a training session on keeping more accurate records. She mentioned that they constantly need to train the aides because of a large turnover. She invited the Committee Members to attend one of their dressings to see how they operate. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 4 of 12 AGENCY:FAIR HOUSING FOUNDATION PROJECT:Fair Housing Program Request funds for salaries, benefits and other expenses related to providing this service Amount Requested:$24,522 Total Project Cost:$26,944 Barbara Shull, Executive Director, stated that this agency has continued this year to successfully provide the Fair Housing Program for the City of Orange. She explained that the Fair Housing Program is basically four programs: landlord/tenant counseling services, remediation and referrals, counseling services, and resolution of housing discrimination. She stated there has not been an increase in activities this year; but pointed out that the agency’s Virtual Counseling Network (VCN) is up and running, which is run out of their new office in Anaheim, just down the street from Angel Stadium. She added that the main office is in Long Beach. She noted that one-third of the walk-in clientele in the Anaheim office is from Orange. Ms. Shull explained that the agency is also providing HUD housing counseling; advised that HUD just released their new Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for 2017 but has yet to finalize the new rule on housing counseling, which requires that housing counseling agencies become certified. She advised that the agencies have 17 months for staff members to receive their certifications; and added that everyone in the office is attending multiple trainings in order to pass the certification test. She noted her expectation that HUD will make an announcement soon as to when it will be testing for this certification, believing it may be by April of this year. She added that with the new certification, fair housing organizations will also become organizations that handle first-time homebuyer programs, mortgage assistance programs, financial coaching programs, etc. She stated that if an agency receives HUD housing counseling funds, it will need to be a wrap- around agency; and mentioned that this the Fair Housing Foundation has always been a wrap-around agency working in coordination with other organizations. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 5 of 12 Ms. Shull provided handouts, one being the agency’s year-to-date Highlights; advised that they have assisted 124 unduplicated Orange households with 172 issues; and advised that people typically need help with more than one issue. She added that the agency has provided one management training to date, with another one being scheduled. She noted that so far this year, four individuals from Orange have alleged housing discrimination, but stated the agency has not opened up a case because those allegations could not be supported and did not warrant further investigation. Ms. Shull stated that the agency’s new reporting format now keeps track of not only the unduplicated clients, which they are allowed to count as CDBG beneficiaries, but also the number of issues the agency has addressed. She stated that the last handout provides a narrative that includes the agency’s outreach activities in all contract cities including Orange. Committee Member Manning asked if any cases end up in court. Ms. Shull responded that sometimes cases do end up in court; but explained that the agency has had more success focusing on education and reconciliation over litigation, pointing out it is a more fair system in contract cities that are receiving these services. She added that litigating can get very political within contract cities. While there are some cases that do end up in court, she advised that the agency does not send these cases to court; that the first course of action for resolution is always reconciliation; if that does not work, their second avenue of resolution is to refer the case to HUD or the State equivalent, Department of Fair Employment and Housing; and the third avenue is to refer the client to a private fair housing attorney. She pointed out that the agency is not a plaintiff in those cases and that it does not pursue the case with the attorney. In response to Committee Member Rico’s inquiry regarding the homebuyers program, Ms. Shull explained that HUD will now directly fund certified housing counseling agencies, noting that HUD funded multiple programs in the past that were not always successful. Committee Member Rico asked if the certification process is currently available. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 6 of 12 Ms. Shull responded that HUD issued the Final Rule (regulations) in 2016 after several years; and that the process needs to be finalized before the testing can commence, which date has yet to be announced. She stated there are a few agencies that offer, for a fee, training for this certification and test preparation; and noted that approximately two years ago, HUD started offering online courses. She stated that the test will be free of charge, but that there is a fee for the training. She added that the agency has received some scholarship money for these training courses; and stated that she does not yet know if that certification will have to be renewed from time to time. Ms. Laster asked if this certification training has anything to do with the City’s CDBG contract. Ms. Shull responded that there are currently no regulations requiring a fair housing service provider to receive certification training; but added that if the agency wants to receive additional funds for these other programs, it will need to receive certification in the future. She added that at some point in the future, funding may not be possible unless an agency is certified. Ms. Shull noted for Ms. Laster that the VCN has made it possible to reach out to more people and stated that more people are attending the agency’s web workshops and participating in their Housing Counseling Network (HCN), a real-time counseling effort in collaboration with various agencies; and she explained that with this real-time network, it provides a great wrap-around delivery of service programs that encompass various housing issues, such as fair housing, landlord/tenant issues, and credit counseling. Ms. Laster advised Ms. Shull that Stephanie Luu, a Fair Housing Foundation counselor, should be commended, stating that Ms. Luu recently held walk-in clinic at Orange City Hall, and handled rude, irate, and verbally abusive client in a calm and professional manner. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 7 of 12 AGENCY:FRIENDLY CENTER, INC. PROJECT:Community Food Orange Request funds for salary cost of direct service staff Amount Requested:$10,000 Total Project Cost:$22,172 Cathy Seelig, Executive Director, thanked the Committee for its past support, noting there is a constant need for food in the community. She mentioned that she has been with Friendly Center for almost 19 years. She explained that the number of reported clients has been greatly reduced this year because the agency is no longer permitted to ask for income verification for many of their programs, but advised that the agency continues to serve whoever seeks assistance. She stated that the agency receives much of its food from Second Harvest and Food Finders, and these agencies require that Friendly Center not ask for income documentation. Ms. Seelig pointed out the agency is able to have its own rules for one program, Community Food Orange, and that it qualifies for CDBG funding. She explained that the agency’s direct service part- time staff member picks up the food and delivers it to the two facilities and in some cases helps to deliver food to families who have filled out the CDBG form; that this staff member is very important to this program continuing. She noted that the staff person is a community member who received services from Friendly Center in the past; and that she is very dependable, speaks Spanish and is familiar with those in this community. She added that this program takes place at both of the Orange sites twice a week, noting there is a lot of food going to those in need; and she reiterated that the need has not diminished at all, that the agency is just not allowed to count everyone that is assisted. She added that the agency is only able to ask how many live in a household and their zip code; and she noted that it has become harder to run these programs. Ms. Laster pointed out that while the agency cannot count the beneficiaries that do not fill out the HUD CDBG form, the agency is still able to include the total number served in the performance report narrative that it submits to the City. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 8 of 12 Ms. Seelig advised that the agency receive fresh produce at the end of its shelf life; and that the agency receives meat, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. She stated that due to more restrictions, children now have to throw away any food they do not want. She added that they used to have a box for unwanted food and that at the end of the tutoring sessions, the children and their families could take home whatever was left in the box. She added that the agency would need to have refrigerators at the tutoring sites to keep this food from being thrown away. Committee Chair Penn stated she was amazed with the number of people that were in line to receive food at a recent event at the Killefer site. Ms. Seelig stated that it was likely the mobile food pantry; advised that the agency typically distributes 6- to 8,000 pounds of food to nearly 200 families with that program, each family walking away with approximately 50 pounds of food. She advised that they are now delivering nonperishable food to a few clients’ homes. AGENCY:HELPING OUR MENTALLY ILL EXPERIENCE SUCCESS (HOMES), INC. PROJECT:Riley House Rehabilitation Request funds for laundry room remodel Amount Requested:$9,375 Total Project Cost:$9,375 Raul Fernandez, HOMES, Inc., Supportive Housing Operations Manager, stated that HOMES has six houses, three of them in Orange; and advised that five of these houses are for clients with mental illness who live independently. He stated that HOMES also has a program for emancipated youth in Irvine; a 30-unit building in Midway City, and 24 apartments in Anaheim for residents who are chronically homeless with mental illness. He added that the agency also has a house for emancipated youth; and a fully integrated, affordable housing community in Irvine where 20 residents with mental illness are part of a 134-unit housing community. He advised that the agency’s most recent housing complex is located in Anaheim that houses 48 previously homeless families, along with 15 households with adults with mental illness. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 9 of 12 Mr. Fernandez stated that six residents (two women, four men) live in the Riley House; that the residents pay affordable rent with their limited SSI income, typically $880 a month; noted that they each do their own shopping, cooking, cleaning, and budgeting; and that HOMES conducts regular staff/household meetings to discuss medication management with the residents and household relationships. He advised that each resident has household chores and must be involved in a minimum of 20 hours of outside activities; and he advised that these residents are Extremely Low Income. He stated that HOMES is one of a few housing organizations that houses this special needs population; and noted that the cost to provide this housing is typically three times more than the income the agency receives from the rents. Mr. Fernandez stated that the Riley House was built in 1965, but that it has been well-maintained thanks to the support of the Orange CDBG program over the years. He advised that the greatest need is updating the outdated laundry room; that they want to increase the capacity by adding another washer/dryer to the laundry room so that the six adults can all do their laundry more efficiently. He noted his plans to purchase new energy efficient appliances for the laundry room; and that they will be adding new water lines, upgrading the lighting, putting in new tile and dry- walling some of the exposed pipes. He added that the purchase of the new appliances is not part of this request. Mr. Fernandez invited the Committee to visit this house to see for themselves how nice last year’s upgrades are, noting it beautified the entire environment of the house. He added that HOMES corporate office is located in Irvine; and stated that the agency’s newest undertaking is providing housing for veterans. The Committee members asked that he give their best regards to Helen Cameron. Committee Member Manning asked if any counselors live at the houses. Mr. Fernandez responded that the residents live independently, noting that one residents has lived the Riley House for 17 years and others have lived there for 11 years. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 10 of 12 Committee Member Perez asked about their medical resources. Mr. Fernandez stated that the residents are all enrolled in clinical and treatment programs and routinely receive clinical services. Ms. Laster asked if Helen Cameron works for HOMES or Jamboree Housing. Mr. Fernandez stated she works for Jamboree, which absorbed HOMES Incorporated, but added that HOMES remains a separate 501(c)3, advised that he is currently the only full-time staff for HOMES and explained that HOMES has the benefits of partnering with Jamboree but does not have to pay any rent for office space. He added that Jamboree has over 50 communities Statewide. AGENCY:MARIPOSA WOMEN AND FAMILY CENTER PROJECT:Community Counseling Program Request funds for direct program expenses, including staffing costs Amount Requested:$10,000 Total Project Cost:$819,176 Dr. Krista Driver, President and CEO, distributed an agency pamphlet, noting that Mariposa has been providing affordable mental health services to women and their families in Orange for 40 years; and pointed out that the agency’s founder is highlighted in their most recent pamphlet. She noted that Mariposa has a Substance Abuse Program, providing out-patient substance abuse treatment for men and women; and that the agency now has an Adolescent Substance Abuse Program. Dr. Driver advised that the Community Counseling Program uses a gender-sensitive treatment approach to offer services to men, women, and adolescents; and that the program includes help for those suffering from domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse and other traumas. She advised that the agency now work with three courts that address the homeless population; noted this is the least funded counseling program; and that with this collaborative court program, the agency has served 500 participants in the program, not only providing counseling CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 11 of 12 services, but also helping them find shelter, food, clothing and helping them be successful in staying out of jail. Dr. Driver advised that their largest program served 1,700 people last year, and collectively they served 3,000 people from the Orange campus last year. She advised that the agency has offices in Orange and San Juan Capistrano and that they are looking at expanding into the east region next year. She advised that the agency works a lot with victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking; advised that their youngest sex trafficking client is 11 years old; and noted that they do partner with several agencies in Orange. Dr. Driver mentioned that Mariposa is more active with its counseling efforts than it is with the political side of this industry. Ms. Laster asked if the court program is part of the application. Dr. Driver responded that the court program is not included and that she was just providing an overview of the agency’s activities. Ms. Laster asked if WTLC had closed its shelter in Fullerton. Dr. Driver stated that Mariposa partners with WTLC; that the shelter was moved to a different, undisclosed apartment complex; but added that the old facility will now be an out-patient facility with case management. Ms. Laster commented that HUD’s homeless priorities have changed and it may be reducing funding for emergency and temporary shelters to fund more permanent housing. Dr. Driver stated that Mariposa is the oldest domestic violence and mental health counseling agency; and mentioned that WTLC now has an attorney on staff, who is able to get obtain restraining orders for their clients. Committee Member Perez noted her concerns with people not being able to afford these services. Dr. Driver explained that the agency usually finds a way to provide services to those who cannot afford the intake or counseling fees, noting that the agency reduces the fees, scholarship the services, waives the fees, or seeks other programs, such as CalWorks, to help individuals receive the services they need. CDBG Minutes February 1, 2017 Page 12 of 12 Committee Member Mickelson-Weilmuenster pointed out that most clients usually get more out of therapy if they pay something. Dr. Driver added that clients who pay something also typically show up for their appointments and take their therapy more seriously. She added that the agency also provides free on-site childcare for clients while they receive counseling services; and mentioned that the agency’s busiest months are January and February and that the summer months are the least busy. She added that the agency is seeing more clients as the years pass; advised that they have a staff of 100, half of those being volunteers earning their required hours for certification; and that they are working with several universities to help develop the students’ careers. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Committee Member Rico asked if the senior center walk-through took place. Ms. Laster stated that it was cancelled and that she will be in contact with him once the new date is set. V. ADJOURNMENT At 9:00 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.