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In 1994, federal regulations which cover the
planning and application aspects of four federal programs of
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) were
revised to require the consolidated planning and submission
of applications and reports. Previously, each of the programs
involved separate preparation, application, public reviews,
and input processes at the local level. The Consolidated Plan
is now a requirement that combines the broad planning requirements
of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 with the annual
applications and reporting for the following four HUD programs
administered locally by Fairfax County:
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CDBG is a federal annual entitlement
grant program which funds activities to carry out one of three
national objectives: benefit to low/moderate income families;
aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
address urgent needs where conditions pose a serious and immediate
threat to the health and welfare of the community. Types of
projects generally eligible for funding include: acquisition,
rehabilitation, development of public improvements, facilities
and housing; public services (up to 15% of grant); restoration
of historic properties; removal of architectural barriers; special
economic development activities; program planning and administration;
relocation payments; and other assistance related to community
development projects.
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HOME is an entitlement program
which provides flexible housing grants to be used for: the acquisition,
rehabilitation, and new construction of affordable housing, tenant
based assistance, home buyer assistance, planning, and support
services. Fifteen percent (15%) of the annual funding must be
set aside for housing development activities of Community Housing
Development Organizations (CHDOs), as defined by HUD.
ESG is an entitlement program that provides grants to
improve the quality of existing emergency shelters and to increase
the number of shelters developed for the homeless, and can be
used for: renovation, conversion of buildings, rehabilitation,
essential social services, and operating costs (excluding staff
payroll).
HOPWA is an entitlement program that
provides both entitlement and competitive grants for housing
assistance and supportive services for low-income persons with
AIDS or related diseases and their families, and can be used
for: acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease, repair
of facilities, new construction, project-based or tenant-based
rental assistance, planning, support services, operating costs,
short-term payments (rent, mortgage, utility), and administrative
expenses.
A citizen advisory group, the Consolidated
Community Funding Advisory Committee (CCFAC), oversees the Consolidated
Plan process.
The Five-Year Consolidated Plan identifies a wide range of needs,
current programs and strategies, and gaps and priorities for
housing, community service, homeless, community development,
neighborhood preservation and revitalization, employment and
economic opportunity programs and services in the County. The
Five-Year Plan also includes broad goals and objectives to address
priority needs with the use of resources available through the
Consolidated Plan.
The Fairfax County Five-Year Plan includes the four HUD programs
mentioned above as well as the County’s Consolidated
Community Funding Pool. It also includes a description of
the Continuum of Care for homeless services and programs.
A One-Year Action Plan is developed by the CCFAC on an annual
basis for each of the five years included in the Five-Year Consolidated
Plan. The One-Year Action Plan contains a description of how
Fairfax County intends to utilize funds from the programs included
in the Consolidated Plan in order to meet the needs identified.
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