Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

Transcription

1 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report State of Maine Plan Year 2015 Prepared by Maine State Housing Authority Maine Department of Economic and Community Development April 2016

2 MaineHousing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, age, familial status or receipt of public assistance in the admission or access to or treatment in its programs and activities. In employment, MaineHousing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability or genetic information. MaineHousing will provide appropriate communication auxiliary aids and services upon sufficient notice. MaineHousing will also provide this document in alternative formats upon sufficient notice. MaineHousing has designated the following person responsible for coordinating compliance with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination requirements and addressing grievances: Jodie Stevens, Maine State Housing Authority, 353 Water Street, Augusta, Maine , Telephone Number (voice in state only), (207) (voice) or Maine Relay 711.

3 Contents CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes... 4 CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted... 8 CR-15 - Resources and Investments (a)... 9 CR-20 - Affordable Housing (b) CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs (d, e); (d, e); (c) CR-30 - Public Housing (h); (j) CR-35 - Other Actions (j)-(k); (i)-(j) CR-40 - Monitoring and CR-45 - CDBG (c) CR-50 - HOME (d) CR-60 - ESG (g) (ESG Recipients only) CR-70 ESG (g) - Assistance Provided and Outcomes CR-75 Expenditures Attachments State PER AI Action Items Multifamily Monitoring CR 65 Persons Assisted with ESG Section 3 Reports... 86

4 CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan (a) This could be an overview that includes major initiatives and highlights that were proposed and executed throughout the program year. This Maine Annual Performance Report describes progress on implementation of Maine s Consolidated Plan during The Consolidated Plan covers the use of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and leveraged funds for the period 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2015. During 2015 the Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) administered the HOME and ESG funds. The Maine State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) administered the CDBG funds. It is important to note that the state provides affordable housing and community development through a variety of assistance programs, many of which are funded through agency resources or state appropriations. In 2015 MaineHousing assisted more than 600 First Time Home Buyers, 7000 Renters, 400 Homeowners (not including over 37,000 helped with Energy Assistance) and more than 4500 Homeless households. The state has identified objectives and expected outcomes for CDBE, HOME and ESG through the Consolidated Plan process. The Annual Action Plan addresses how objectives are to be met each year. While production results have sometimes exceeded or fallen short of stated goals significant progress has been made to address the Consolidated Plan priorities and objectives. Both rental units constructed (123% of 2015 goal) and use of tenant based rental assistance (104% of 2015 goal) exceeded the 2015 goals. This report covers the first year in the five year ( ) Consolidate Plan. CAPER 4

5 Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives (g) Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee s program year goals. Goal Category Source / Amount Improve Economic Opportunity Improve Economic Opportunity Improve Economic Opportunity Improve Economic Opportunity Improve Public Infrastructure Non-Housing Community Development Non-Housing Community Development Non-Housing Community Development Non-Housing Community Development Non-Housing Community Development CDBG: $ CDBG: $ Indicator Public service activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Facade treatment/business building rehabilitation Unit of Measure Persons Assisted Expected Strategic Plan Business CDBG: $ Jobs created/retained Jobs CDBG: $ CDBG: $ Businesses assisted Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Businesses Assisted Persons Assisted Actual Strategic Plan Percent Complete % 14.00% 30.00% 34.00% % Expected Program Year Actual Program Year Percent Complete 1,162.86% % % % 2,004.80% CAPER 5

6 Improve the Quality of Existing Housing Improve the Quality of Existing Housing Increase the Quality and Supply of Rental Housing Increase the Quality and Supply of Rental Housing Increase Use of Rapid Re- Housing Support Emergency Shelter Operations & Services Affordable Housing Affordable Housing Affordable Housing Affordable Housing Homeless CDBG: $ CDBG: $ CDBG: $ / HOME: $ / ESG: $ / Other: $ CDBG: $ / HOME: $ / ESG: $ / Other: $ HOME: $ / ESG: $ Homeless ESG: $ Rental units rehabilitated Homeowner Housing Rehabilitated Rental units constructed Rental units rehabilitated Tenant-based rental assistance / Rapid Rehousing Homeless Person Overnight Shelter Household Housing Unit Household Housing Unit Household Housing Unit Household Housing Unit Households Assisted Persons Assisted Table 1 - Accomplishments Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date % 50.63% 24.87% 16.55% 26.20% 18.08% % % % 70.45% % 90.41% CAPER 6

7 Assess how the jurisdiction s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified. The data above includes five Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation units funded by MaineHousing. MaineHousing committed $71, of prior year HOME funds to Home Repair in MaineHousing assits homeless individuals with ESG. ESG assistance includes operations for the costs of emergency shelter facilities as well as housing relocation and stabilization services for those individuals and families who are homeless. The housing relocation and stabilization services are provided by trained staff, called Navigators, who assist homeless individuals and families with an initial housing assessment, developing a housing stability plan, helping to rapidly rehouse them and then follow them up to a year after they obtain housing. Other funds were used to complete eight multifamily projects, for a total of 373 units (86 for families and 287 for seniors). HOME funds have been allocated to five development projects that have been granted notice to proceed (128 family units and 105 units for seniors). The three highest CDBG priorities: Improve economic opportunity, Improve pulic infrastructure and Improve quality and affordability were addressed with CDBG funding by allocating over 80% of the annual amount to those three activities. CAPER 7

8 CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted) (a) CDBG HOME ESG White ,307 Black or African American ,178 Asian American Indian or American Native Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Total ,648 Hispanic ,655 Not Hispanic Table 2 Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds Narrative The CDBG and HOME data in the table above is populated from the HUD IDIS system; it may not include information on all activities covered by this report. According to the IDIS Report HOME Summary of Accomplishments for FY 2015, 12% of HOME assisted households were of a race other than white and 2% were Hispanic. Racial and ethnic data is not available for ESG households; data is reported by individual persons served through the ESG program. The total includes individuals with multiple races, and individuals assisted by ESG that did not provide race and ethnicity information. The above table reflects housing for the CDBG program. Public Infrastructure and Economic Development capture people however the percentage of non-white people served is similar to the housing demographics. CAPER 8

9 CR-15 - Resources and Investments (a) Identify the resources made available Source of Funds Source Resources Made Available Amount Expended During Program Year CDBG 42,327,196 13,841,454 HOME 12,008,668 2,806,199 ESG 5,317,600 1,287,106 Other Other Table 3 - Resources Made Available Narrative Funding HUD provided to Maine for 2015 CDBG, HOME and ESG programs is shown above. Note that amounts may include funds from previous allocations. For FY 2015, MaineHousing allocated a total of $1,287,106 in ESG funds for shelter operations. MaineHousing used ESG funds to assist 42 homeless shelter programs that assisted 7,020 unique homeless individuals. ESG Funds, state real estate transfer tax fees, and state general funds were used to support homeless shelter providers with shelter operating expenses and rapid re-housing activities. A total of $737,817 was awarded to shelter providers based upon a combination of even distribution and a bed-night per diem rate. MaineHousing also allocated$ 549,289 for the rapid re-housing Home To Stay Program. In July of 2015 as a result of advocacy by the homeless shelter providers the Maine State Legislature increased the state general funding to shelters. An additional amount of $2,000,000 was allocated to shelters for the period of July 1, 2015 to June 20, Half of this amount was distributed to shelters in the 3rd and 4th quarters of CAPER 9

10 Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Percentage of Actual Percentage of Narrative Description Allocation Allocation State Of Maine State Of Maine Table 4 Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments County # of HOME Units (not including TBRA) Androscoggin 64 Cumberland 111 Kennebec 1 Somerset 2 York 60 Leveraging Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan. ESG requires a one-to-one matching of funds. For FY 2015, MaineHousing did not require matching from sub-recipients. MaineHousing was able to exceed the required match and received $2,000,000 from Maine State HOME Funds and $1,250,000 from the State General Fund for a total of $3,250,000. HOME funds are matched with State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services funding for services used by STEP clients as well as State HOME funds used in the Home Repair program. In the past major sources of matching funds have also included foregone taxes and fees, and the present value of interest subsidy for below market rate loans. Also, Home to Stay Participants may receive housing assistance through a limited number of Housing Choice Vouchers allocated to the program. CAPER 10

11 MaineHousing uses Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for the development of affordable rental housing, in conjunction with agency financing. The State CDBG program has minimum match requirements in the Public Infrastructure, Economic Development program of 25% and 50% respectively. Fiscal Year Summary HOME Match 1. Excess match from prior Federal fiscal year 41,463, Match contributed during current Federal fiscal year 107, Total match available for current Federal fiscal year (Line 1 plus Line 2) 41,570, Match liability for current Federal fiscal year 626, Excess match carried over to next Federal fiscal year (Line 3 minus Line 4) 40,943,767 Table 5 Fiscal Year Summary - HOME Match Report CAPER 11

12 Project No. or Other ID Date of Contribution Cash (non-federal sources) Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year Foregone Appraised Required Taxes, Fees, Land/Real Infrastructure Charges Property Site Preparation, Construction Materials, Donated labor Bond Financing Total Match /09/2014 4, , /30/2014 3, , /16/ /16/ /09/2014 7, , /30/2014 5, , /27/2014 2, , /08/2015 2, , /11/ /13/2014 1, , /20/2014 2, , /12/2015 8, , /26/2015 2, , /13/ /20/2015 1, ,150 DHHS Match STEP 09/30/ , ,781 Table 6 Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year CAPER 12

13 HOME MBE/WBE report Program Income Enter the program amounts for the reporting period Balance on hand at Amount received during begin-ning of reporting reporting period period $ $ Total amount expended during reporting period $ Amount expended for TBRA $ Balance on hand at end of reporting period $ 57,313 3,635 53,361 53,361 7,586 Table 7 Program Income CAPER 13

14 Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business Enterprises Indicate the number and dollar value of contracts for HOME projects completed during the reporting period Total Minority Business Enterprises White Non- Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Contracts Dollar Amount Number Sub-Contracts Number Dollar Amount Total Women Male Business Enterprises Contracts Dollar Amount Number Sub-Contracts Number Dollar Amount Table 8 Minority Business and Women Business Enterprises Minority Owners of Rental Property Indicate the number of HOME assisted rental property owners and the total amount of HOME funds in these rental properties assisted Total Minority Property Owners White Non- Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Number Dollar Amount 5,851, ,851,909 Table 9 Minority Owners of Rental Property CAPER 14

15 Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Indicate the number of persons displaced, the cost of relocation payments, the number of parcels acquired, and the cost of acquisition Parcels Acquired 0 0 Businesses Displaced 0 0 Nonprofit Organizations Displaced 0 0 Households Temporarily Relocated, not Displaced 0 0 Households Displaced Total Minority Property Enterprises White Non- Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Number Cost Table 10 Relocation and Real Property Acquisition CAPER 15

16 CR-20 - Affordable Housing (b) Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number and types of families served, the number of extremely low-income, low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income persons served. One-Year Goal Actual Number of Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units Number of Non-Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units Number of Special-Needs households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Total Table 11 Number of Households One-Year Goal Actual Number of households supported through Rental Assistance Number of households supported through The Production of New Units Number of households supported through Rehab of Existing Units Number of households supported through Acquisition of Existing Units 0 0 Total Table 12 Number of Households Supported Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals. The one-year goal is set for HOME-funded programs in the 2015 Annual Action plan. With the exception of rehab of existing units all goals were met. It is difficult to predict the exact breakdown of new unit s vs rehabbed units in multifamily housing production. This variance may well be resolved in future years. CAPER 16

17 Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans. Outcomes for activities in 2015 do not seem to suggest a need to change actvities in the next action plan. Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderateincome persons served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity. Number of Persons Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual Extremely Low-income Low-income Moderate-income Total Table 13 Number of Persons Served Narrative Information Based on data available in IDIS, more than 98% of beneficiaries of MaineHousing HOME assisted programs in 2015 had incomes at or below 60% of HUD median icome, with the greatest number at or below 30% of median income. CAPER 17

18 CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs (d, e); (d, e); (c) Evaluate the jurisdiction s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending homelessness through: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program is designed to help with: operating shelter costs as well as health, employment, and housing services; rapid re-housing and housing stabilization services for homeless individuals and families; as well as HMIS data collection. This funding is available to existing emergency shelters throughout the state sponsored by not-for-profit organizations and local municipalities. Administrative guidance for the Emergency Solutions Grant Program is provided through the Homeless Programs Rule. In addition to ESG funds, MaineHousing provides State Shelter Assistance Program funds, totaling $3,250,000. The shelter funding methodology is governed by the Homeless Programs Rule. ESG funding was utilized for shelter operations and rapid re-housing activities, as well as HMIS data collection. The ESG shelter funding helped to serve 7,020 persons in 42 ESG funded shelters, and 1,088 persons were assisted by the Home To Stay Program, a rapid re-housing initiative. Since 2013, MaineHousing has been collaborating with our homeless providers, creating initiatives and pilot programs in an attempt to cause system change and transform the homeless response system. In reviewing the statistics from , many of the various initiatives have been making an impact on decreasing homelessness and reversing the rate of growth for shelter expenditures. In 2015, there were.. 12% less homeless clients Utilizing 4% less shelter beds Representing 63% decrease in the average length of time clients remain in shelter CAPER 18

19 Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons ESG funding is used to strengthen Maine s two Continuums of Care (CoC) by providing direct services to homeless persons. ESG funds were provided to sub-recipients in every CoC region. Each region has a priority to provide shelter and supportive services for homeless individuals and families. ESG funds also were provided to shelters in all CoC regions to pay for the operating costs and for rapid re-housing activities. Both of Maine s CoCs apply to HUD annually for funding under the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program to address homelessness. Annually, HUD funding to the CoC s provides funding for transitional housing (TH) and Permanent Housing (PH) including Shelter Plus Care. In Maine, the Housing Inventory Chart has a total of 1,190 TH year round beds. In recent years, HUD has encouraged CoC s to review their TH Projects and determine whether they could be re-tooled into rapid re-housing for families, be changed to transition in place programs, etc. As a result, both CoC s are focusing more on TH programs for specific sub-populations such as youth, DV, Veterans, co-occurring disorders, etc. and emphasizing permanent housing particularly PSH. HUD s experience has demonstrated that providing support in permanent supportive housing assists persons in maintaining their housing and reduces their risk for recidivism and homelessness. Both CoC s boast a robust portfolio of PSH and both have significant experience with PSH. Eighty eight (88) percent of PCoC s PH inventory (661 year round beds) is Permanent Supportive Housing and 94 percent of the MCoC housing inventory (2,286 year round beds) is PSH. Additionally, over the last several years, both CoC s have encouraged projects to move to a Housing First model with their PSH Projects. Finally, MaineHousing administers the Stability Through Engagement Program (STEP) which is HOME funded tenant based rental assistance (TBRA) to homeless individuals and families that are working with one of the 42 shelters across the state of Maine. This is permanent housing that is focused on rapid rehousing instead of PSH. Last year, the STEP Program assisted 225 homeless households by providing rapid rehousing and housing relocation and stabilization services. Program CAPER 19

20 participants pay 30% of their income for rent and can receive rental assistance for up to one year. Program participants develop a housing stability plan with trained shelter staff, called Navigators who meet with them at least every 30 days to monitor their program and assist them in maintaining stability and preventing another reoccurrence of homelessness. The success of this program is high and the average annual housing assistance payment in 2015 was $4, Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs Foster Care: Maine DHHS contracts with nonprofit youth service providers statewide to help youth and families develop healthy transition plans and help youth obtain TH, PH, PSH, or remain in care until they have finished their education. Providers actively monitor teens who are discharged from foster care to the streets or shelters, and advocate with Maine DHHS for improved policies and resources. Health Care: Hospital Discharge Planning Guidelines have been developed by the Statewide Homeless Council and Maine hospitals regarding the discharge of homeless patients. The Guidelines instruct hospitals to begin the discharge planning process upon admission. Patients are to be discharged with appropriate clothing and with a plan for accessing required medications/supplies. MCoC members also monitor discharges to shelters and follow up with hospitals as needed. Each Maine hospital or community discharge location must designate a management team member to oversee ongoing compliance with the Guidelines. Mental Health: The Guidelines above also include discharge planning for patients with mental health issues, instructing hospitals to begin the discharge planning process upon admission, working with appropriate providers. MCoC members monitor discharges of patients with mental illness to shelters and follow up as necessary. The Statewide Homeless Council is leading an effort to create a CAPER 20

21 Medicaid Waiver for long term homeless individuals that will improve care options. Placement options include family, residential treatment facilities, market rate apartments, boarding homes, and other federal-, state- or locally-funded housing options (such as Section 515 rental units, LIHTCfunded projects, HOPWA-funded housing, local- or state-funded residential recovery or transitional housing, group homes, and/or halfway houses). Individuals needing higher levels of medical care may be placed in private non-medical institutions. Corrections: The Statewide Homeless Council and MCoC do not support any policy that releases inmates to shelters. Although no specific Department of Corrections (DoC) policy exists to prevent release of offenders to shelters, Maine DoC's goal is to prevent release to shelters. To achieve this goal, DOC's policy is to begin pre-release planning 45 days prior to release (County jails begin prerelease planning at 90 days). MCoC providers work collaboratively with prison staff to help find community housing and supportive services (when needed) for inmates following release. STEP vouchers are also available with very limited parameters. Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again There are a number of initiatives in recent years that have helped to facilitate the transition to permanent housing including the following: Some of the most successful initiatives have been the Home to Stay Pilot Program, the Shelter System Change Pilot and the Long-term Stayer Initiative in conjunction with the Statewide Homeless Council and DHHS. MaineHousing s new shelter programs, Home to Stay and Shelter System Change Incentive, embraced the Housing First models and created funding opportunities for staffing Housing CAPER 21

22 Navigators to help rapidly re-house clients with a focus on housing stability. Navigators help a program participant move from homelessness to appropriate housing opportunities, quickly and efficiently. Navigators help clients access an array of mainstream services to meet the health, housing, employment, resources, and other basic needs of the client. The Shelter System Change Incentive created funding opportunities for shelters based on performance based housing outcomes. Shelters received additional incentives for client exits to permanent housing, reductions in lengths of stays and returns to homelessness. The Long-Term Stayer Initiative has addressed permanent housing outcomes for the hardest to serve clients with mental health and substance abuse issues that have occupied the longest shelter stays. Navigators and community providers work together using the Housing First model to assist clients with housing and the supports they need. The CoC Leadership Group was established with both the Maine and Portland Continuums of Care to address statewide planning efforts on homelessness and a Coordinated Entry System for the homeless response system. The group has the support from MaineHousing through HUD Planning Grants and HUD Technical Assistance. They are working on establishing the Client Access Assessment & Referral System (CAARES), a no wrong door approach where assistance is easily accessible no matter where or how people present and uniform assessment which identifies and prioritizes any person who is homeless or at risk of homelessness anywhere in Maine and refers them to available and appropriate resources. Another significant population that is being more effectively served is the Veteran population in Maine. There has been a 46% reduction in veteran homelessness in Maine from 2014 to There are 3 SSVF programs that conduct outreach across the entire state of Maine and work directly with Veterans and their families who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. These programs have been highly successful in serving Veterans and in some cases are able to assist literally homeless Veterans obtain housing and by pass the shelters. CAPER 22

23 These initiatives, combined with performance measures that target lengths of stay and recidivism (returns to homelessness) have assisted in significantly reducing the average length of stay in shelters by 67% from 2013 to 2015 and has seen s significant decrease of 12% in that same period for the number of 7,765 in 2013 to 7,020 in CAPER 23

24 CR-30 - Public Housing (h); (j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing MaineHousing is not a public housing authority. The State does review the Annual and Five-Year Plans of public housing authorities throughout the state to determine consistency with Maine's Consolidated Plan and issues certifications to these authorities upon request documenting this fact. In 2015 MaineHousing worked collaboratively with the PHA's in Maine: Participating in and hosting Occupancy meetings which include staff representatives of PHAs statewide. These meetings include discussions of best practices, new regulation implementation and often contain a training component. Collaborating with PHAs statewide in the implementation of the new Portability regulations. This regualtion provides for tenant choice when moving to jurisdiction shared by 2 or more PHAs. Our new Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator is working at the state level to increase and improve resources available to FSS participants. We are also designing a webpage that will include financial literacy resources for participants statewide. Working toward a statewide HCV waiting list so that applicants will only have to apply once. Coordinating the development of a new Case Management Model to improve tenant outcomes. Currently Portland, Augusta and Bath PHAs have staff participating in this project. Collaborating with other PHAs in hosting statewide HCV Inspector Forums/training. Offering landlord educational outreach sessions with Augusta and Waterville PHAs. Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership MaineHousing does not own or manage public housing and does not have access to public housing residents to encourage them to participate in management or homeownership. CAPER 24

25 MaineHousing's affordable mortage financing and downpayment assistance are available to first-time homebuyers that meet income requirements. Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs MaineHousing is not designated as a troubled PHA. CAPER 25

26 CR-35 - Other Actions (j)-(k); (i)-(j) Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment (j); (i) A number of actions addressed housing and community development barriers. These actions include: improvement of organizational capacity protecting and improving housing and community developement assets promoting homeownership awareness providing homebuyer education and foreclosure mitigation counseling participating in the Continuum of Care to provide housing and services for the state's homeless population Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs (k); (j) MaineHousing and the Department of Economic and Community Development encourage qualified applicants to apply for CDBG, HOME and ESG funds. In 2015 seventy five percent of all houselold assisted with HOME were in the lowest income category (30% of area median or less). Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards (k); (j) In 2015 MaineHousing's Lead Hazard Control Program abated 64 units at an average cost of $12,079. CAPER 26

27 Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families (k); (j) The State of Maine has not formally adopted a statewide anti-poverty strategy. However, the strategy and goals of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan directly address the issues of individuals who are living in poverty. In Maine, there is a statewide network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) with a common purpose: of providing services to low income people across Maine. The goals of these agencies are to empower low income people to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In 2015, MaineHousing worked with the Community Action Agencies to weatherize 419 homes, improve the heating systems for 1,241 households and to provide Low Income Home Energy Assistance to 37,368 households. Actions taken to develop institutional structure (k); (j) The State of Maine has an efficient institutional structure through which housing and community development programs are delivered. DECD is the administrator of CDBG funds and MaineHousing is the administrator of HOME and ESG funding. Both MaineHousing and DECD participate in a number of standing meetings with representatives from state and local government, nonprofit, and private providers of housing, homelessness and economic development services. In 2015 MaineHousing worked with the Continuums of Care to implement programs to serve homeless persons. MaineHousing also worked the Community Action Agencies to serve homeowners. MaineHousing partners with lenders to provide Homebuyer loans and with developers to construct and preserve multifamily housing. CAPER 27

28 Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies (k); (j) In 2015 MaineHousing worked collaboratively with the PHA's in Maine: Participating in and hosting Occupancy meetings which include staff representatives of PHAs statewide. These meetings include discussions of best practices, new regulation implementation and often contain a training component. Collaborating with PHAs statewide in the implementation of the new Portability regulations. This regualtion provides for tenant choice when moving to jurisdiction shared by 2 or more PHAs. Our new Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator is working at the state level to increase and improve resources available to FSS participants. We are also designing a webpage that will include financial literacy resources for participants statewide. Working toward a statewide HCV waiting list so that applicants will only have to apply once. Coordinating the development of a new Case Management Model to improve tenant outcomes. Currently Portland, Augusta and Bath PHAs have staff participating in this project. Collaborating with other PHAs in hosting statewide HCV Inspector Forums/training. Offering landlord educational outreach sessions with Augusta and Waterville PHAs. Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice (a) In 2015 MaineHousing updated the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The updated Analysis is available on the MaineHousing website. See attached list of actions taken in 2015 to address impediments identified in the existing Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. CAPER 28

29 CR-40 - Monitoring and Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements MaineHousing monitors Multi-family rental projects receiving HOME funds for compliance with the program rules and property standards through on-site inspections at the required frequency outlined in 24 CFR (d). On-site inspections consist of a tenant file review and physical plant inspection of 20% of HOME-assisted units. Reports are issued for both types of inspections and Owners are provided 30 days to rectify any non-compliance identified during the review (or less if more significant health and safety items are identified through the physical plant inspection of the units). If non-compliance remains uncorrected, the property could be declared to be in default and action taken to call the note. In some circumstances, the period of affordability may be extended for any period the property was deemed non-compliant. In addition to on-site reviews, annually MH reviews all financial reports provided by the owner (budgets and Audited Financial Reviews) to identify potential financial risks to the property as well as the submitted tenant status reports that outline the tenancy and income levels of tenants in HOME units, allowing us to validate that the targeted population continues to be served in the property and that rents fall within allowable limits. ESG: MaineHousing review the performance of sub-recipients in carrying out their responsibilities at least once every year. In conducting performance reviews, MaineHousing relies primarily on information obtained from the records and reports from the Grantee, as well as information from monitoring reviews, audit reports, and HMIS. Staff reviews a random selection of files for specific documentation of: homelessness, disability status, target population, on-going assessment, follow up and supportive services. Staff verifies homeless participation in policies and project development and compliance with their grant agreements. If MaineHousing determines that the sub-recipients have not complied with a program requirement, MaineHousing will give the sub-recipients notice of this determination and an opportunity to CAPER 29

30 demonstrate, within the time prescribed by MaineHousing and on the basis of substantial facts and data that Grantee has complied with program requirements. Sub-recipients are expected to properly maintain all books, documents, payrolls, papers, information, records, accounting records, bednight rosters, client files, and other material pertaining to their grant agreements and make such materials available at its offices for purposes of audit, inspection, duplication, and examination so as to allow MaineHousing and HUD to monitor and audit. Additionally, MaineHousing inspect the sub-recipients shelter facilities at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions but at least every two years. The State CDBG program monitors all UGLG grantees for compliance with all CDBG regualtions. Citizen Participation Plan (d); (d) Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports. The draft 2015 CAPER was available for public comment for 15 days beginning April 12, Public was notified of the availabliity via newspaper ads in the Lewiston Sun Journal, Bangor Daily News, Kennebec Journal and Portland Press Herald. DECD and MaineHousing posted copies of the draft document on their websites. A Public Hearing was for the CAPER occurred on April 25, Five people attended the hearing. Public input into the draft CAPER is considered in preparing the final report to HUD. There were five comments on the draft Public Comments on the CAPER April 25, Comment: Parking at MaineHousing is not compliant with federal and state laws for accessibility to persons with disabilities. The parking needs access isles. Response: MaineHousing appreciates that the commenter brought the parking problem to their attention. MaineHousing will work with the City of Augusta to assure that parking is compliant with Federal and State laws. CAPER 30

31 2. Comment: No mention was found about found about accessibility or universal design in the section on Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. They request use of universal design in publicly funded housing. Response: The CAPER is a report which describes activities and accomplishments during the program year (2015). MaineHousing is aware of the request for universal design in publicly funded housing and will consider this question in program design. 3. Comment: The Maine SILC offers to assist MaineHousing and DECD with this process. Response: MaineHousing and DECD appreciate the offer of assistance from Maine SILC. 4. Comment: A comment was made that it would be interesting to have a future study of why people are homeless. Response: Studies of the reasons people are Homeless are not within the scope of the CAPER. 5. Comment: A comment was made regarding appreciation for the Home Retro program and the extension to include Housing Choice Vouchers. Response: MaineHousing and DECD acknowledge the comment about the HOME Retro program. CAPER 31

32 CR-45 - CDBG (c) Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences. There were no changes to the State of Maine's CDBG program objectives. Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants? No CAPER 32

33 CR-50 - HOME (d) Include the results of on-site inspections of affordable rental housing assisted under the program to determine compliance with housing codes and other applicable regulations Please list those projects that should have been inspected on-site this program year based upon the schedule in (d). Indicate which of these were inspected and a summary of issues that were detected during the inspection. For those that were not inspected, please indicate the reason and how you will remedy the situation. See attached summary of projects monitored in Provide an assessment of the jurisdiction's affirmative marketing actions for HOME units (b) All property owners are required to have a Management Plan and an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan that is approved by MaineHousing. The owner will be responsible for selecting residents in a non-discriminatory manner and maintaining a written waiting list of applicants in accordance with the project s resident selection policies and criteria that comply with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, sexual orientation, familial status, ancestry and receipt of public assistance. As a result, there is a diverse population of ethnic and religious that reside in MaineHousing funded properties. Refer to IDIS reports to describe the amount and use of program income for projects, including the number of projects and owner and tenant characteristics MaineHousing applies program income to the activity being disbursed when the funds are available. In 2015 Program Income totaling $53, was used for the STEP program. It is not CAPER 33

34 possible to determine which landlords and tenants benefited from program income. Describe other actions taken to foster and maintain affordable housing (k) (STATES ONLY: Including the coordination of LIHTC with the development of affordable housing) (j) MaineHousing uses the Rental Loan Program (RLP) to provide low interest, long term mortgage financing to qualified private, for profit and nonprofit developers of affordable rental housing. The RLP may be used for new construction and for the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing housing. MaineHousing combines a number of financial resources for the RLP including HOME funding, tax-exempt financing and various state resources. This program is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the equity provided through the LIHTC. CAPER 34

35 CR-60 - ESG (g) (ESG Recipients only) ESG Supplement to the CAPER in e-snaps For Paperwork Reduction Act 1. Recipient Information All Recipients Complete Basic Grant Information Recipient Name MAINE Organizational DUNS Number EIN/TIN Number Indentify the Field Office BOSTON Identify CoC(s) in which the recipient or subrecipient(s) will provide ESG assistance ESG Contact Name Prefix Ms First Name PAULA Middle Name A Last Name PALADINO Suffix 0 Title Manager of Homeless Initiatives ESG Contact Address Street Address Water Street Street Address 2 0 City Augusta State ME ZIP Code Phone Number Extension 0 Fax Number Address PPALADINO@MAINEHOUSING.ORG ESG Secondary Contact Prefix Mrs First Name PAULA Last Name WEBER Suffix 0 Title Compliance Officer CAPER 35

36 Phone Number Extension Address 2. Reporting Period All Recipients Complete Program Year Start Date 01/01/2015 Program Year End Date 12/31/2015 3a. Subrecipient Form Complete one form for each subrecipient Subrecipient or Contractor Name: York County Shelter Programs Inc. City: Alfred State: ME Zip Code: 04002, 0820 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Bangor Area Homeless Shelter City: Bangor State: ME Zip Code: 04401, 6403 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Bread of Life Ministries City: Augusta State: ME Zip Code: 04330, 4607 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: CAPER 36

37 Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Caring Unlimited Inc. City: Sanford State: ME Zip Code: 04073, 0550 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: Y Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Community Concepts Inc. City: South Paris State: ME Zip Code: 04281, 0278 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Family Crisis Services City: Portland State: ME Zip Code: 04104, 0704 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: Y Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Family Violence Project City: Augusta State: ME Zip Code: 04332, 0304 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: Y Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: CAPER 37

38 Subrecipient or Contractor Name: HOME Inc. City: Orland State: ME Zip Code: 04472, 0010 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: The Emmaus Center City: Ellsworth State: ME Zip Code: 04605, 0223 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Homeless Services of Aroostook City: Presque Isle State: ME Zip Code: 04769, 1753 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Hope and Justice Project City: Presque Isle State: ME Zip Code: 04769, 2254 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: Y Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: CAPER 38

39 Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Hope Haven Gospel Mission City: Lewiston State: ME Zip Code: 04240, 7817 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: MAPS City: South Portland State: ME Zip Code: 04106, 1999 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter City: Waterville State: ME Zip Code: 04903, 2612 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Milestone Foundation City: Portland State: ME Zip Code: 04101, 4209 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: CAPER 39

40 Subrecipient or Contractor Name: New Beginnings Inc. City: Lewiston State: ME Zip Code: 04240, 6736 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: The Next Step Domestic Violence Project City: Ellsworth State: ME Zip Code: 04605, 1465 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: Y Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Penobscot Community Health Center Inc. City: Bangor State: ME Zip Code: 04402, 2100 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: Subrecipient or Contractor Name: Preble Street: Florence House City: Portland State: ME Zip Code: 04104, 1459 DUNS Number: Is subrecipient a victim services provider: N Subrecipient Organization Type: Other Non-Profit Organization ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount: CAPER 40