Community Development

Community Development

82 Ionia Avenue NW, Suite 390
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-7400
Fax: (616) 632-7405

Mission Statement

To develop viable urban and rural communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

Notice of Public Hearing on December 9, 2011
Notice is hereby given that the Kent County Housing Commission will hold a public hearing on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 4:00 p.m., at its offices located at 82 Ionia Avenue NW, Suite 390 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 at the Community Development Department to provide opportunity for the public to submit its perceptions of and suggestions on housing and community development needs that should be considered by Kent County.

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

Overview

The Community Development Department implements the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in all Kent County communities except Grand Rapids and Wyoming. Funds are distributed from the federal government to the County on a formula basis. The formula considers extent of poverty, population, housing overcrowding, age of housing, and population growth lag in relation to other metropolitan areas.

The Community Development Department awards funding to local projects based on the following requirements: 1) meets a need identified in an established action plan; 2) not less than 70% of funds must be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income persons; and 3) the activity meets one of the CDBG national objectives (i.e., benefits low and moderate income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community).

Community Development is also responsible for the implementation of three (3) additional programs. These include: the Shelter Plus Care (S+C) program, which contracts with non-profit housing corporations to provide rental units as permanent housing for homeless individuals; the HOME Investment Partnership program provides funding for rehab and new construction of single and multi-family units for low and moderate income families earning 80 percent of Area Median Income. The Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing program (HPRP) is designed to provide rental assistance for a period not to exceed 12 months to ensure homeless families and families at risk of homelessness are adequately housed. This program also provides wrap-around services.

Strategic Goals

  • Maintain/enhance partnerships and relationships that support the mission of Kent County government
  • Diversify sources of revenue

Operational Goals

  • To provide cost-effective timely service to the 33 funded local units of government and County departments receiving Community Development Block Grant funds
  • Provide and implement HUD mandated oversight for participating non-profit corporations

2011 Adopted Uses: $3,762,088

2011 Adopted Revenues: $3,762,088

Selected Performance Measures

Performance Measure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Expected
Percent of HUD mandated expenditures for Local Units of Government,
Non-Profit agencies and County Departments
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
98.00%
Number of Rehab projects completed by due date
370
342
412
325
Cost per completed rehab project
NA
NA
NA
NA
Overall satisfaction of participating non-profits
98.00%
97.00%
95.00%
95.00%

Department History of Uses

Uses
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Adopted
2011
Adopted
Personnel
$368,762 $386,595 $392,529 $353,880
Commodities
17,193 17,429 12,500 12,500
Contractual Services
1,553,160 2,618,760 3,140,144 3,348,019
Capital Outlay
468 15,811 - 2,000
Other Charges
51,586 63,622 3,379 45,689
Total Uses
$1,991,169 $3,102,218 $3,548,552 $3,762,088
Personnel FTE
6
6
8
8

Significant Accomplishments

Successfully implemented the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Kent County has been commended by HUD as the second highest performer in the State of Michigan.

The department has implemented additional programs with limited resources and without significant increase in adminstrative cost.

History of Uses (in millions)