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CR 10-014 2010 Community Devel. Block Grant (CDBG) ProgramG �TY OF im February 1, 2010 NOPKINS Council Report #2010 -014 2010 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM Proposed Action Staff recommends approval of the following motion: Following the public hearing, adopt resolution number 2010 -005 approving the proposed program for the 2010 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and authorizing its submittal to Hennepin County. With this motion, the CDBG application will be submitted to Hennepin County for their review and approval. Overview As a participating city in the Urban Hennepin County CDBG program, Hopkins is eligible to receive $113,718 in CDBG funds for the 2010 program year. This is slightly more than the 2009 allocation. The funds will be received on July 1, 2010 and must be expended by December 31, 2011. Staff is recommending that the City propose to fund the following activities with 2009 CDBG funds: • Housing Rehabilitation Loan /Grant Program • Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center • Intercongregation Communities Association As a requirement of the CDBG funding process, the City must hold a public hearing on the proposed use of funds prior to approving the attached resolution. The City's proposal must be submitted to Hennepin County by February 25, 2010. Primary Issues to Consider • What is the intended use of CDBG funds? • What activities are being recommended for funding? • Were any other requests for funds received? Supporting Information • Resolution 2010 -005 • Requests for fund ara Beard Community Development Coordinator Financial Impact: $_0 Budgeted: Y/N Source: Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): Notes: 2010 CDBG program Council Report 2010 -005 Page 2 Analvsis of Issues What is the intended use of CDBG funds? CDBG funds may be used to support a variety of housing and community development activities. The intent of the program is to fund "bricks and mortar" projects versus social service programs. Activities must meet at least one of the following objectives of the CDBG program: • Benefiting low and moderate income persons • Prevention or elimination of slums and blight • Meeting a particularly urgent community development need Additionally, Hennepin County imposes the following guidelines: • 15% maximum for public service activities • Activity should be ranked as a high priority in the Hennepin County Consolidated Plan. Those activities are: Rental housing for families, elderly, physically disabled persons and homeless persons with incomes below 50% of median income Supportive housing for persons with mental illness and incomes below 50% Rehabilitation of owner - occupied housing with income below 50% Homeownership assistance to households with income below 80% Public services and /or facilities to assist families and seniors to maintain and /or increase self- sufficiency and independent living, and to assist youth and their families with counseling and crisis intervention services, and related activities Neighborhood revitalization activities that address issues of substandard /blighted property in scattered site or defined area redevelopments that will also provide affordable housing on 20% of the units • Minimum of 70% of funds spent on low to moderate income households • Funds can not be available from other sources What activity is being recommended for funding? Staff is recommending that $103,718 of CDBG funds be used for housing rehabilitation activities. The Housing Rehabilitation Loan and Grant program has 2010 CDBG program Council Report 2010 -005 Page 3 experienced continued demand during the past year and is important not only in its assistance to homeowners but also to maintain the City's housing stock. It is anticipated that $103,718 will assist 4 households. Staff is also recommending funding Resource West (formerly Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center) in the amount of $5,000. Resource West is a valuable resource in the community and supports the City of Hopkins by taking referrals from many of the City's departments including the police, housing and community services. Finally, staff is recommending funding the Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) in the amount of $5,000. The ICA serves the area primarily as a food shelf, and experienced record demand in 2009. The ICA also provides other services such as financial and transportation assistance, and would use the $5,000 in CDBG funding to assist Hopkins residents with rent, mortgage, and utility assistance in order to prevent homelessness. • Where any other requests for funds received? The following additional requests were received for 2010 CDBG funding: Organization Amount Purpose HOME Line $5,000 Tenant hotline, high school renter education and immigrant outreach project In reviewing this request for funds, staff considered the intent of CDBG to fund "bricks and mortar" projects over social services. While granting the HOME Line request would keep the City just under the 15% maximum that can be used for social service activities, it would reduce the amount of rehabilitation funds available for low to moderate income Hopkins homeowners which has a dual benefit of assisting a household in need while preserving our housing stock. However, HOME Line services are eligible activities under CDBG regulations and the Council can elect to fund them. Alternatives The City Council has the following alternatives regarding this issue: • Hold public hearing; approve 2010 CDBG program as proposed by staff. • Hold public hearing; amend the proposed CDBG activities and /or budget. RESOLUTION NO. 2010-005 RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED USE OF 2010 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY AND ANY THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS WHEREAS, the city of Hopkins, through execution of a Joint Cooperation Agreement with Hennepin County, is cooperating in the Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the city of Hopkins has developed a proposal for the use of 2010 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant funds made available to it; and WHEREAS, the city held a public hearing on February 2, 2010 to obtain the views of citizens on housing and community development needs and priorities and the City's proposed use of $113,718.00 from the 2010 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant. BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Hopkins approves the following projects for funding from the 2010 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizes submittal of the proposal to Hennepin County. Activi Budget Housing Rehabilitation $103,718 Resource West $5,000 Intercongregation Communities Association $5,000 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes and directs the Mayor and its City Manager to execute the Subrecipient Agreement and any required Third Party Agreement on behalf of the City to implement the 2010 Community Development Block Grant Program. BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED, that should the final amount of FY2010 CDBG available to the city be differentfrom thepreliminary amountprovided to the city, the City Council hereby authorizes the city manager /administrator to adjust project budget(s) to reflect an increase or decrease in funding. ADOPTED: the 1 st day of February, 2010 By Its Mayor, Eugene Maxwell And Its City Manager, Richard Getschow ATTEST Terry Obermaier, City Clerk 2010 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAM REQUEST FOR FUNDING tellable form) (Use one form per project) A. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. City: City of Hopkins 2. Project Name: ResourceWest 3. Contact Person/ Phone No.: Judy Elling (952) 988 -5351 B. PROJECT DATA 1. CDBG Funding Requested $ 5,000 (needs to be same as council resolution) 2. Is this an existing CDBG - funded project? X Yes QNo 3. Project Location: Address or Citywide X 4. Project Description: (Describe the project in as much detail as possible, including the local need(s) the project will address.) See Attachment A 5. Consolidated Plan Priorities: Using the Priority Summary chart below, identify what priority(ies) the project will meet. (Note: If a proposed project is a low urban county priority, you must explain why it has a higher priority in your community.) 11 6. Describe anticipated results /accomplishments the project will have. (number of persons to receive services, number of affordable housing units to be rehabilitated or built, etc.) It is estimated that the programs of ResourceWest will serve approximately 1,500 Hopkins residents. 7. Implementation Schedule: (Identify major project tasks to occur during/ within the first 12 months of the 18 month expenditure period. Expenditure period begins July 1, 2010 and ends December 31, 2011.) Task: Various ResourceWest Programs Date July 2010 — Dec201 I Task: Date Task: Date 8. Budget: (Specify total project budget by major funding sources. Attach additional listings where appropriate.) FUNDING SOURCES AMOUNT CDBG $5,000 Prior Year CDBG Funding (for this project) $ Other Federal Funds (specify) $ Low Income Housing Tax Credits $ State (specify) $ Municipal $ Metropolitan Council $ Private (specify) $ Other (specify) $ Project Total $5,000 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest Overview: The mission of ResourceWest is "ResourceWest, a responsive community -based organization, assists people and strengthens the west metro community through collaborative programs and connections to resources." To fulfill this mission, a number of services have evolved over the seventeen years since our inception, including: • Information & Referral • Back to School supply drive • Project Starfish • Winter Warm Wear • Community Technology Center • Toy Chest History ResourceWest has been a fixture in this community since 1993. ResourceWest is the result of a unique collaboration of the Hopkins School District, the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka, the faith community, businesses, area social service agencies, and interested individuals. The history of ResourceWest goes back to 1991 when a group of concerned leaders from these same organizations convened to discuss the unmet needs of families and children in our area. This group became known as the School and Community in Partnership (SLIP); the Hopkins School District's Family Services Collaborative. This group decided a Family Resource Center was needed in our community. Space was rented on Mainstreet in downtown Hopkins and the Hopkins Area Family Resource Center opened in April 1993. The purpose of ResourceWest was not to duplicate services — but to assure that families could make the connections to needed services. The City of Minnetonka became a partner in 1997. In 2001 ResourceWest applied for non - profit status and received 501(c)(3) status that year. The Minnetonka School District became a ResourceWest partner in 2003. In 2009, our name was legally changed to ResourceWest tp more accurately reflect our entire service area. 2010 Board of Directors As a S01(c) 3, ResourceWest operates under the leadership of a board of directors: President Peter Thompson, business Vice President Dale Searles, Hopkins community Treasurer Paul Patefield, business Deb Ludwig, Hopkins Schools - Appointed Barb Westmoreland, Hopkins Schools - Appointed Colleen Faber, Minnetonka Schools - Appointed Stacy Unowsky, City of Hopkins - Appointed Elise Durbin, City of Minnetonka - Appointed Laurie Levi, Excelsior communities Anne Leland, Cargill (Minnetonka Resident) JoAnne Robinson, YMCA Ridgedale & Minnetonka Heights Manager Scott Searl, Pastor – Shepherd of the Hills Church, Faith Community Teri Anderson, Excelsior Community Staff Executive Director, Judy Elling, began her leadership of the Center on March 3, 2008. Ms. Elling has a degree in Business Management and a Masters in Social Work specializing in Program Development, Public Policy, and Administration. ResourceWest began with a part-time director in 1993, with the first full -time director being hired in 1994, to lead the organization through 13.5 years of growth in its' outreach to residents, expansion of services and programs, and in establishing ResourceWest as an important leader and partner in the many community collaborations that make our community a healthy, nurturing place for all. Barbara Brooks continues in her 5th year as the Starfish Coordinator, providing one -to -one support and guidance for our residents. Rosemaris Campos began in January 2008 as ResourceWest's Administrative Assistant and Spanish interpreter. 1/27/2010 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest Objectives and Activities Best known for its annual community drives like Back to School, Winter Warm Wear, and Toy Chest, ResourceWest is a responsive, community -based nonprofit that makes nearly 7,000 connections annually between people and resources like food banks, shelters, nonprofits, government services, resources for elderly parents, health resources and more. Individuals can also find one -on -one support through the Project Starfish program; computers to use for job and housing searches; help with tax forms and other assistance. ResourceWest serves individuals and families in the west metro area. Our programs which focus on low - income children serve families from the specific cities of Hopkins, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Greenwood and Woodland within the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts. ResourceWest staff and volunteers practice community building through a process of respectful listening for the needs of other people in the western metro community, reporting on those needs, and then working collaboratively to address those needs. ResourceWest does not charge for its services, but does welcome donations and volunteers. ResourceWest is the Co -Chair of the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC), a working group of community and governmental organizations that meets monthly and is co -lead by two area social service organizations. The membership has evolved since 2005, and today includes: Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA): Co -lead Agency; Resource West: Co -lead Agency, Hopkins Police Department; Hopkins Community Development; Hopkins Public Schools /Community Education; Hennepin County Community Services; Community Action Partnerships of Suburban Hennepin; 43 Hoops Basketball Academy; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church; Knollwood Mall; and Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The collaborative desired greater involvement by community members and in 2009, undertook a community planning process to (i) stay connected to the interests and needs of the residents and businesses; (ii) identify and support strategies to stabilize and improve the area; and (iii) support local leadership development. Beginning in fall 2009, residents, businesses and community members met to discuss priorities and strategies for addressing issues most important to them. Based on meetings, informal conversations and the Wilder assessment, the plan focuses on three areas: Preventing Crime and Improving Safety; Neighborhood Improvement and Development; and Fostering and Empowering Youth. It includes strategies for communicating and engaging with all residents. ResourceWest is strategically addressing its ability to fulfill its mission through sound management, strong governance and a persistent rededication to achieving results. We understand the needs of our clientele have altered, grown and changed in the 17 years we have been serving the community. With a engaged and excited Board of Directors and a strong staff, we feel ResourceWest is continuing to change to meet the needs of the community. We are in process of conducting the following comprehensive change strategy to help realize our organizational strategic goals: 1. Increase the ability of ResourceWest to meet the needs of our clients and potential clients. 2. Increase community awareness of ResourceWest in our entire service area. 3. Increase our ability to meet the needs of a changing and diverse clientele in a climate of an overall increase in the need for basic social and economic services. Budget Funding for ResourceWest comes from a variety of sources including Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) funds through the Hopkins & Minnetonka Schools, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from the cities of Hopkins & Minnetonka, a grant from Park Nicollet Foundation, the Beverly Foundation, Otto Bremer Foundation, and other fundraising efforts throughout the year including ResourceWest's fall fundraiser Chocolate, Wine & all that Jazz!. Additional support comes from Hopkins Schools Employee Giving Campaign, Empty Bowls, businesses, civic groups, congregations, families and individuals. Funds are used to staff ResourceWest with 2.75 employees year round and support the many 1/27/2010 2 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest programs. For the fiscal year 2009, ResourceWest's revenue was $268,662; expenses were $231,157. The 2010 budget is $216,950. In -kind donations are extremely large for organization. We have three major programs that are based on in -kind contributions. Our Back to School program served 1,026 students and we estimate each filled back pack has a value of at least $50.00 which totals approximately $51,300 for the 2008/2009 school year. Our Winter Warm Wear program assisted well over 973 children (a value of at least $75.00 per child) approximate value of this program was $72,975 for the 2008/2009 school year. Our Toy Chest program assisted 1,025 children and each child received approximately gifts totaling a value of $75 which totals approximately $76,875 for the 2008/2009 school year. We have over 250 community volunteers from both school district communities who assist with everything from receptionist to sorting of donations to fundraising assistance. Our volunteers range in age from elementary age students to retired senior citizens. Community We Serve Our community has changed — and so have the customers we serve. As evidenced by the numbers of clients served this past year, the needs in the school district communities continue to grow. Our service area includes the entire west metro area and our children's programs are specifically serving low- income families in the following communities: Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood and Woodland. We work with children, families, seniors, and individuals of various socio- economic and ethnic backgrounds. Our statistics reflect a very diverse customer base. For example, in 2008 our program served a total of 1,026 unduplicated children. Within this count were the following representations: 23.3% Caucasian; 22.1% African American; 20.6% Not Indicated; 15.6% Hispanic; 10.4% Somalia; 4.1 %Other; 1.7% Asian; 1.7% Native American; and 0.6% Russian. Our 2009 statistic numbers will be available in February/March. Families in turmoil from dealing with homelessness, hunger, or job loss often have neither the time nor energy to provide the support their children so desperately need. Our most valuable asset has become our Project Starfish program which offers intensive assistance to those families who need it the most. Our Starfish coordinator has worked with families on budgeting issues, provided referrals on low -cost car repair, assisted with housing and proofread resumes. A Hennepin County Economic Assistance worker comes to ResourceWest on a weekly basis. We also assist clients with their employment searches: posting employment opportunities, reviewing resumes, and allowing customers to use our fax machine to fax resumes to prospective employers. We continue to develop new community partners such as collaborating with the Children's Dental Service to provide dental services to low- income /non - insured children on site. We are starting to collaborate with West Suburban Teen Clinic to assist with referrals to their Public Health Nurse who meets with pregnant teens and teen mothers of children under the age of three to assist them in raising healthy babies. ResourceWest remains the "place to go" if you have a question or problem Collaboration and coordination is what we do –and we do it well! We share information with other groups and organizations, attend fairs and multiple meetings, participate with both the Hopkins and Minnetonka family service collaboratives, list with 211 (formerly First Call for Help) and continually update our resource information. We work with the following agencies to provide referrals and services to the people who reside in the Hopkins- Minnetonka School Districts: • Hopkins and Minnetonka School Districts. We provide support to families and staff by answering questions about housing, medical resources, counseling and recreation. School supplies and Winter Warm Wear are often provided to students directly through the schools — as school district staff is acutely aware of the needs in their schools. Our services are available year round and on days when other agencies are closed. • Hopkins and Minnetonka city staff regularly refer their residents to us — we've received referrals from city offices, housing inspectors, public housing staff and professional staff from both cities. 1/27/2010 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest • Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) is a sister agency to ResourceWest. We serve ICA customers who lack transportation to their Minnetonka site. They provide us with Emergency Food Packs, financial assistance applications, and bus tokens for their customers. • Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin. We send residents who need Energy Assistance to their site and homeowners with mortgage difficulties to their Mortgage Foreclosure Program. • Second Harvest Food Bank. We distribute their Mothers & Children (MAC) and Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) food packages. • Children's Dental Services. We host them two times a year and they see between 20 to 40 children depending on if they host a one day or two day clinic. • Hennepin County Economic Assistance. We provide space one day per week for an Economic Assistance Worker to meet with clients to renew or sign up for county and state assistance programs. • Minnetonka Life Care Center. We refer moms in their first trimester and young single moms who need diapers and formula and we provide them with baby items that have been donated to us. • AccountAbility Minnesota provides tax preparation services to our clients. In return we provide the space and answer tons of questions. • Teens Alone, a non - profit, community based organization that provides free crisis, counseling, and referral services to youth and families is housed in our center. We have the ability to conduct mutual referrals and to assist them and their clients. • Relate Counseling Center provides mental health counseling at ResourceWest two days a week. The Project Starfish coordinator works closely with Relate counselors and often encourages Starfish clients to meet with a counselor. We have always prided ourselves on not duplicating services — and we are always on the watch for new services to meet the needs of our community. ResourceWest Services Community Connections – Answering questions is an important part of what occurs at ResourceWest, and the questions come from many sources and are on a variety of issues. Staff and volunteers answer questions about almost everything from the need for food, clothing and shelter, to where children will be going to school. Staff from the Hopkins Schools call on a regular basis, looking for information on health and dental care, the need for clothing, household items or assistance with housing, counseling or food issues for school district families. To date we do not have all the number calculated but here are some of the data we have so far this year: Year 2009 phone calls and Center visits Year 2008 6,700 phone calls and Center visits Year 2007 6,619 phone calls and Center visits Back to School Supply Drive – Providing school supplies is one of the most important programs offered at ResourceWest. The main distribution of supplies is from late August to early September, but supplies are provided on an "as needed" basis throughout the year. As the face of the community has changed, so has the face of the families coming for school supplies. School supplies are also sent directly into the elementary schools, secondary schools, off campus programs, After School programs and Summer School, and distributed during the Toy Chest Drive. District staff will frequently call with special requests for students, perhaps a replacement backpack is needed, or a new family to the community needs help with school supplies. School supplies are also distributed to Off Campus School, Hennepin County Home School, the Delta Program, Mainstreet School of Performing Arts, and Teens Alone. School Year 2009 - 2010 + students (year to date) School Year 2008 - 2009 1,026 students School Year 2007 - 2008 936 students Winter Warm Wear – Keeping kids warm throughout the cold winter is a basic need in Minnesota. The Winter Warm Wear Room is open from October through March, and is stocked with jackets, hats, mittens, boots and snow pants. School staff frequently calls looking for needed Warm Wear for those students who come to school without the most basic cold weather items. Snow pants or sleeping bags are 1/27/2010 4 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest provided for students, as needed, before field trips, allowing all children to participate in these school - based events. Winter 2009 -2010 items for _ children (year to date) Winter 2008 -2009 2,919 items for 973 children Winter 2007 -2008 1,822 items for 701 children Toy Chest — December is always a busy time of the year, as families register their children for toys for the holiday season. Volunteer and community involvement is key to the success of this annual effort. More than 200 volunteers assisted this year working as greeters, registrars, shopping assistants, or checkers /stockers while others sorted toys, decorated the Center, or held toy drives. Parents shopped at the Center's "toy store" over a four -day period, choosing a large and small toy for each of their children. Toy Chest 2009 1,100 children (numbers not finai) Toy Chest 2008 1,025 children Toy Chest 2007 719 children Project Starfish — provides one -to -one support to individuals /families to identify issues, set priorities, and provide referrals to appropriate agencies or organizations, with follow -up as needed. Several of the Starfish customers were homeless at the time of service. Families new to the area have been helped with household goods, assistance with employment issues and information on needed services. Many of the clients stop in to talk with the Starfish counselor on a regular basis, knowing they are always welcome at the Center. Starfish works closely with school staff, Hennepin County and other non - profit agencies. Based on the Starfish story, this program has made a difference for school district families. Starfish 2009 _ clients with multiple visits, _ referrals Starfish 2008 330 clients with multiple visits, 500 referrals Starfish 2007 327 clients with multiple visits, 492 referrals Computer Technology Center ( "CTC") — has provided assistance to over 300 individuals in writing resumes, seeking employment, learning a new computer program, applying for college, filing for unemployment, GED information, opening an e -mail account, access to government paperwork, and/or finding housing information. The CTC is a volunteer run program. Food Programs — ResourceWest continues to be a drop site for the Mothers & Children (MAC), and the Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS), programs of Second Harvest Food Bank. ResourceWest also stocks emergency food bags from the local food shelf, Intercongregational Association (ICA), for those residents who lack transportation to the ICA site. 2009 2008 2007 Second Harvest Food Packages 1,410 1,165 ICA Emergency Food Bags 326 184 ICA Emergency Bus Tokens 1,420 1,104 Tax Preparation Assistance — Each year ResourceWest partners with AccountAbility MN to offer free tax preparation to area residents. Knowledge about the various credits including the Earned Income Credit, Working Family Credit and the MN K -12 Education Credit bring many parents to the Center. Since ResourceWest is an a -file site, parents know their refunds will come quickly. Having Tax Preparation Assistance at the Center also provides the opportunity to inform parents of other services available at the Center. Tax Season 2009 630 customers, $1,165,742 in refunds Tax Season 2008 575 customers, $ 978,880 in refunds Tax Season 2007 571 customers, $ 957,717 in refunds Additional ResourceWest services - Through HousingLink, information is provided on housing vacancies in the seven county metro area. A social worker from Hennepin County Economic Assistance is in the Center one day per week to assist families with applications for food stamps and Medical Assistance. Due to concerns about mental health issues, beginning in January 2007, counselors from Relate Counseling Center in Minnetonka were in the Center two afternoons each week, providing mental health services to parents in a comfortable community setting. 1/27/2010 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest Evaluation Data As evidenced by the above numbers of clients served this past year, the needs in both school district communities continue to grow. Also reflected in our statistics is a very diverse customer base. 2008 Program Statistics E xcelsior 1 21 1 Minnetonka 1 109 I opkins 1 472 1 Hopkins 1 521 1 Minnetonka 224 Shorewood 13 Our program committee takes the demographics from the prior year along with current economic conditions and determines the approximate number of children it feels our organization will service for the following year. Evidence of Need For 2010, we are estimating an increase of 10 -15% in the number of families and individuals who will access our services. We expect this number to increase due to our efforts to increase our visibility in the community through a strategic marketing plan. The most telling indication of need continues to be demonstrated by the number of calls requesting assistance we receive each year and from the increasingly diverse population making those calls. More than 6,700 calls /contacts were recorded in 2008. This has increased in 2009; as of October 31, 2009 we have logged over 7,200 contacts. However we do not have final numbers to report at this time. Our inquiries are coming from every direction; new families to our community and our country as well as longtime residents — families experiencing job loss, housing crises, food crises, health or counseling needs. We receive calls from local governments, area police, local businesses, other agencies and organizations. And families and individuals continue to stop at ResourceWest, referred by family, friends and other agencies and organizations. Demographics are changing in our community. Connecting with the Somali, Russian and Hispanic communities is one of our top priorities because of their strong presence in our service area. Language and cultural barriers are the biggest challenges we face in assisting these communities. ResourceWest is trying to increase the reach of our services by providing information in various languages and providing interpreters when necessary. We have also seen an increase in the number of retired individuals and elderly whose mobility has decreased and we are working on how to provide services to them in a convenient manner. ResourceWest also faces challenges in reaching our entire service area. Our services are most well known and more easily accessed by residents of the City of Hopkins and the Hopkins School District. One of our goals with the strategic Marketing plan is to more effectively reach and service our clients and potential clients in both School Districts. 1/27/2010 ATTACHMENT A ResourceWest Critical Issues for 2010 Needs continue to grow in the communities we serve. With the instability in economy we are seeing increased job loss, increased housing loss due to foreclosure (owner and renter), and more emergency needs (food, utilities, and other basic human needs) due to decreased discretionary funds. This also means that our clients will increase in numbers and needs. The increased need for assistance with employment, housing and food support for families has changed the way we provide services to school district families. Stability continues to be a critical issue for many families as it relates to stable jobs, stable income, and stable housing. We are addressed a portion of this need in 2009 by opening the Community Technology Center ( "CTC ") to assist with resume writing, job hunting, interview techniques, and computer skills through access to computers, internet, Atomic Learning (self guided tutorials), and mentors /volunteers. The hope is that with access to computers, interne, and mentors people will have increased job placement and preservation thus increasing their personal stability. The increasing diversity of our community has been reflected in the services the center provides and in our statistics. There is a need to learn more about the many diverse cultures and how asking for assistance is different with each ethnicity. We are also seeing an increased need for mental health services. Assistance with mental health issues is critical to many of those we serve. We continue to work with Relate counseling to provide as much in house counseling as possible. As with all non - profits, funding issues continue to be a challenge. The economic forecast, along with the impending decrease in LCTS and CDBG funding, creates a challenging year ahead for fundraising. This decrease in LCTS funding has led to new fundraising opportunities, including new relationships and collaborations. New grant relationships have been cultivated and additional relationships will need to be developed with additional area service clubs, businesses, congregations, and individual donors. We are also working on a strategic development plan which will focus on sustainable giving and long term gifts. We continue to develop and encourage new fundraising opportunities in our community. Civic groups, individuals, and school groups continue to help raise money for the center. On such event is Empty Bowls through the ISD 270. Empty Bowls 2007 was very successful and Empty Bowls 2008 is on track to be equally successful. Our own fundraiser, Chocolate, Wine & All That Jazz!, ResourceWest's fundraising event, continues to grow. The fifth annual event raised to just over $12,000. The sixth annual Chocolate, Wine & All That Jazz! fundraising event is scheduled for October 9, 2010. Save the Date! 1/27/2010 2010 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAM REQUEST FOR FUNDING (fillable form. Use one form per project) A. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. City: HOPKINS 2. Project Name: HOUSING & MORE 3. Contact Person/ Phone No. Cathy Maes - (952) 279 -0291 B. PROJECT DATA 1. CDBG Funding Requested $ 5,000 (needs to be same as council resolution) 2. Is this an existing CDBG - funded project? ®Yes ❑No 3. Project Location: Address or Citywide Yes 4. Project Description: (Describe the project in as much detail as possible, including the local need(s) the project will address.) ICA provides fmancial assistance for rent and utility payments for our neighbors in need in order to avoid eviction or to prevent utility shut -off. 5. Consolidated Plan Priorities: Using the Priority Summary chart below, identify what priority(ies) the project will meet. (Note: If a proposed project is a low urban county priority, you must explain why it has a higher priority in your community.) 1 6. Describe anticipated results /accomplishments the project will have. (number of persons to receive services, number of affordable housing units to be rehabilitated or built, etc.) $5,000 will on average assist between five and ten households with their rent payments, avoiding eviction from their current home. If used for utility payments, approximately 25 households would avoid shut -off of their utilities. 7. Implementation Schedule: (Identify major project tasks to occur during/ within the first 12 months of the 18 month expenditure period. Expenditure period begins July 1, 2010 and ends December 31, 2011.) Task: Assist neighbors in need with rent & utility payments. Date 7/1/2010 Task: Date Task: Date 8. Budget: (Specify total project budget by major funding sources. Attach additional listings where appropriate.) FUNDING SOURCES AMOUNT CDBG $5,000 Hopkins only Prior Year CDBG Funding (for this project) $ _Other Federal Funds (specify) $ Low Income Housing Tax Credits $ State (specify) $ _Municipal $ Metropolitan Council $ Private (specify) Other (specify) $ Project Total $5,000 2 HOPKINS FOOD & FINANCIAL SERVICES FROM ICA 2009 Hopkins Services Food Financial Assistance 10,524 Total Served 18,151 Gas — Centerpoint 57 94 Electric — Excel 130 234 Rental — ICA Funds 650 1 Rental — FHPAP 143 244 Total Financial Udr 1,650 Other Services Bus Passes Bus Tokens 1,375 527 1,809 596 Percent of Total 58% 60% 56% 60% 59% 58% 76% 88% 1 0 nn b 3455 Bloomington Ave Minneapolis, MN 55407 Office Phone: 612/728 -5770 Hotline: 612/728 -5767 Fax: 612/728 -5761 www.homelinemn.org Tara L Beard, AICP Community Development Coordinator City of Hopkins 1010 1st St S Hopkins, MN 55343 Dear Ms. Beard: January 12, 2010 This letter is to request funding in the amount of $5,000 from the City of Hopkins's Community Development Block Grant Program to support HOME Line's services for renters. A copy of the 2010 CDBG Program Request for Funding is enclosed. Along with the CDBG Request Form, I am enclosing a one -page sheet summarizing our hotline's service to Hopkins residents. HOME Line serves over 160 families a year in Hopkins. Some of these families are facing critical housing situations involving landlords in foreclosure or evictions. HOME Line provides valuable advice to these families that is important for stabilizing their housing. Without some funding from the communities we serve, HOME Line can no longer provide these services at this level. We would like the city of Hopkins to step up and partner with HOME Line to continue our services vital to city residents. We thank you for the opportunity to submit this application. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me at 612/728 -5770, extension 107 or Mike Vraa, our managing attorney at extension 113. Sincerely, Beth Kodluboy Executive Director enclosures as noted Tenant Advocacy in Minnesota 2010 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAM REQUEST FOR FUNDING (fillable form. Use one form per project) A. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. City: Hopkins 2. Project Name: Tenant Advocacy Services 3. Contact Person/ Phone No. Tara Beard / 952 -548 -6343 B. PROJECT DATA CDBG Funding Requested $ 5,000 (needs to be same as council resolution) 2. Is this an existing CDBG - funded project? No 3. Project Location: Citywide 3455 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. 55407. HOME Line's tenant services are citywide. Tenants call our free hotline from their homes. Renter Education presentations are done in the local high schools. 4. Project Description: (Describe the project in as much detail as possible, including the local need(s) the project will address.) Briefly describe the proposed project. The narrative should include the need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan (see attached table), as well as the population to be served or the area to benefit. Describe the work to be performed, including the activities to be undertaken or the services to be provided, the goals and objectives, method of approach, implementation schedule and anticipated results /accomplishments. We anticipate assisting approximately 165 Hopkins renter households over the hotline during the program year and offering educational presentations at Hopkins High School. Renters make up nearly 5,104 households in Hopkins, and many of these families have low incomes. When renters have problems involving their homes, those who don't know their rights and responsibilities can end up living in housing that is unsafe, lose security deposits that are rightfully theirs, or make decisions that cost them their home. HOME Line provides renters with the tools necessary to keep their homes safe and affordable. HOME Line will provide two distinct, but related, programs as part of this grant: a tenant hotline that provides free legal advice to tenants about landlord/tenant law and a high school educational program. These services prevent problems ranging from homelessness to illness from unsafe living conditions, and result in reducing the use of the city's emergency resources. Tenant Hotline The first of these programs is HOME Line's tenant hotline. The hotline began in 1992 as a service to Suburban Hennepin County residents. Today we serve the entire state (excluding Minneapolis) and have recently taken our 120,OOOth call. Three staff attorneys and a tenant advocate work full time on the hotline along with 40 -60 law student volunteers each year. Hopkins has accounted for 3,393 calls since 1992. Our tenant services to Hopkins have helped save tenants at least $39,000. We have also helped to prevent the eviction of 106 Hopkins families. Last year alone we advised 161 renter households from Hopkins. The most common reasons Hopkins residents call our hotline are; repairs, security deposits, evictions, break lease questions, questions about how proper notice to vacate is given, and lease questions. The need for this service in Hopkins is apparent -- Hopkins residents already rely on this valuable service. High School Renter Education Program The second program is our high school presentation program. To date, we have spoken to 1,026 classes (over 28,300 students) throughout the metro area. At Hopkins High School, we have given 34 different presentations, reaching over 738 students. This presentation has awards from both Best Prep and B.E.E.F. (Business Economic Education Foundation). It focuses on the things that future renters should know, including how to avoid evictions, how to select roommates, security deposits and understanding leases. While our services are available to all renters free of charge, over 97% of our Hopkins callers have low or very -low incomes; almost three quarters (71 %) of these callers are women; 26% are racial minorities. Our programs are aimed at low - income renters, high school students who are about to enter the rental market, and recent immigrants. We identify the key demographics at the beginning of each call. 5. Consolidated Plan Priorities: Using the Priority Summary chart below, identify what priority(ies) the project will meet. (Note: If a proposed project is a low urban county priority, you must explain why it has a higher priority in your community.) Rental Housing Existing Housing (Rehabilitation) First Time Homeownership Homelessness Special Needs Housing Public Service x Neighborhood Revitalization Transportation Services 6. Describe anticipated results /accomplishments the project will have. (number of persons to receive services, number of affordable housing units to be rehabilitated or built, etc.) We anticipate between 150 and 160 callers utilizing our hotline services, representing 400 residents. We will offer our free high school training to Hopkins High School. Also see the attached one -page sheet, which covers what HOME Line has accomplished in Hopkins in the past. 7. Implementation Schedule: (Identify major project tasks to occur during/ within the first 12 months of the 18 month expenditure period. Expenditure period begins July 1, 2009 and ends December 31, 2010.) Task: Renter counseling over hotline Date Ongoing Task: High school presentations Date Late fall and late spring Task: Immigrant Outreach Project Date Ongoing 8. Budget: (Specify total project budget by major funding sources. Attach additional listings where appropriate.) FUNDING SOURCES 3 i AMOUNT ! CDBG a $ 64,237 Prior Year CDBG Funding (for this project) ? $ 64,237 i Other Federal Funds (specify) $ 29,000 Low Income Housing Tax Credits $ 0 3 State (specify) $ 0 Municipal ? $ 7,957 Metropolitan Council i $ 0 Private (specify) < $ 153,530 Other (specify) ; $ 47,237 ; Project Total , $ 301,961 HOME Line Tenant Hotline Services Sources of Funds (Attachment) 5 i E 2 5 0 Source: McKnight Foundation \9 i | � i | | i , 0 / / O � / /O | | Source: F Fond�roCnuouU anrm\ \ 2 _ - ' ' - )A � � � �0 / | ' ' ! O ' ' Source: � �uox|v}�oo�c�soPrcvrot�x,�� | � . ) /\oa�t .� {5 � . | { { ^ | | | | /O i i 0 S Snurcc� ' n - Co unty -' -' -- — --} /O i \ \ � 0 ( � �0 T -� � - | �r | | ., )0 < < �U i i � Hugh- -e |2 ` ` ' � | �O � / ( O ` ` O ' ' S S Suburban C[���} " � � | | 0 � � /0 � � 8ourue: C | �7 ' ' i, | � ' | | (, | '5 ' 5 i Source: Cnoonbda�od | | ^ ~ � � 0 _� [DB(}___ 4 �5 0 0 0 ! City of Eden Prairie CDBG _. 1 9 4 7 j 5 Source: St. Paul COPP F 3 j0 0 ( 0 ( Source: City of Maple Grove CDBG `0 '3 4 Source: City of Edina CDBG ;5 ' � 1 0 0 1 Source: City of Hopkins CDBG € 0 0 1 Source: City of Minnetonka CDBG 7 0 Source: City of New Hope CDBG �3 � 10 1 0 Source: City of Brooklyn Center CDBG HOME Line Renters' Hotline Hopkins Information on calls during the period 1 /1/92 t hrough 12/31L2009 Number Of Calls Per year 300 20 232 246 256 2.556 235 233 206 200 168 159 166 13 9 174 136 132 134 153 161 100 p ........... ........... �..... �..... 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Over the past eighteen years, a total of 3,393 Hopkins renters have contacted HOME Line. This represents service to approximately 8,482 residents when all family members have been counted. HOME Line has helped Hopkins residents recover money from their landlords. Tenants have received $17,568 back from improperly withheld security deposits and $22,019 in rent abatements (refunds for living in substandard conditions). We have also helped prevent 106 evictions in this time. HOME Line's tenant hotline receives over 11,000 calls each year. These are the top ten topics in Hopkins over the last 3 years, followed by the number of calls: 1. Repairs 79 2. Evictions 62 3. Security Deposits 54 4. Break Lease 42 5. Notice to Vacate 22 6. Fees 21 7. Tenant Screening 12 8. Foreclosure 10 9. Lack of Heat 8 10. Lease Questions 6 Renter's Education HOME Line's High School Renter's Education Program provides advice on tenant rights and responsibilities. This free presentation covers most issues that first time renters are likely to encounter, including roommate problems, evictions, security deposits and repair problems. In the last eighteen years, HOME Line has gone to 1,026 different classes talking to 28,332 students. We have sent speakers to nearby schools, including Hopkins High School and Minnetonka High School.