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.

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).

The Community Development Department is also responsible for implementing the Shelter Plus Care program, which contracts with non-profit housing corporations to provide rental units as permanent housing for homeless individuals and families.

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

2009 Adopted Uses: $3,471,054

2009 Adopted Revenues: $3,471,054

Selected Performance Measures

Performance Measure
2006
2007
2008
2009 Goal
Percent of inspections completed
95.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Overall satisfaction of participating non-profits
100.00%
98.84%
100.00%
98.00%
Amount of dollar for dollar match in supportive services for the Shelter + Care grant to equal grant ($1,338,444).
NA
$1,351,568
$1,296,000
$1,338,444
Number of Rehab projects completed by due date
NA
8
370
325
Cost per completed rehab project
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Overall satisfaction of participating non-profits
95.00%
98.00%
98.00%
95.00%

Department History of Uses

Uses
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Adopted
2009
Adopted
Personnel
$376,172 $338,655 $379,367 $382,255
Commodities
10,532 14,090 18,989 13,500
Contractual Services
1,200,501 1,914,122 1,839,453 3,073,847
Capital Outlay
935 892 - -
Other Charges
26,075 44,700 22,350 1,452
Total Uses
$1,614,215 $2,312,459 $2,260,159 $3,471,054
 
Personnel FTE
6
6
6
6

Significant Budget Issues

Beginning in 2009, the Shelter Plus Care budget will be accounted for in the Community Development budget; prior years accounted for these funds in the Housing Commission.

History of Uses (in millions)