SAC MIN 2017-10-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Currently the 2018-2022 consolidated plan is being worked on. A consolidated plan is required every 5 years to receive federal funds. It outlines and prioritizes needs of the community and states the plans and goals for the next 5 years. Housing and population information is gathered. The needs of the general, senior and disabled population is researched. Community meetings are held to discuss the needs and develop strategies to meet desired goals. Because there is a limited amount of money received from HUD, the focus is on housing and community development. Sources of funds are the Community Development Block Grant and the Home Investment Partnership program. The CDBG funds provide social services, public facilities, home repairs, housing and homeless services and economical development to low and moderate income people. The Home program creates to preserves affordable housing, build new housing and repair existing housing for low and moderate income households. $678,000 were received last year in CDBG funds. The Home funds were $213,000. The funds this coming cycle are less from each source. Though a further drop in funding is estimated for 2018 and possible elimination of the programs, the planning process must continue to access community needs for upcoming programs. Some of the CDBG housing projects funded this year include four housing services, Project Sentinel, housing accessibility modifications by CID, Rebuilding Together’s 2 programs - National Rebuilding Day and Safe at Home Repairs and a CORA safe house rehab. The City also has their Home Improvement Loan program which provides low interest loans to low income homeowners in Redwood City. Funding was also provided to Habitat for Humanity for acquisition of the 603 Jefferson site. Public services programs funded by CDBG this year include HIP Housing, legal services, ombudsman services, Spring St. shelter, CORA, and Life Moves for the Maple St. Shelter. The Housing and Human Concerns Committee determines how the funds will be allotted to the various non-profit organizations that apply for them. The compound process helps by getting feedback from the community. They develop and determine the programs to be funded based on population and neighborhoods’ concentration as to where the funds should go. Cindy handed out surveys for the Commissioners to complete. She also stated that more information is available on the City’s website. ITEM 4 – Senior Downtown Shuttle – Jodi Paley Vice Chair Paley reviewed the history of shuttle service in Redwood City from 2004, when she was previously on the SAC, to now. In 2004, she compiled a list of local office shuttles in hopes they could be used during the day. In 2005, a stakeholders group was formed. It was chaired by Diane Howard and consisted of representatives from SamTrans, county transportation, the City Manager’s office, Fair Oaks, Parks & Recreation, the school district and seniors. It was a large group that met regularly and reviewed many different ideas and possibilities. In June 2008, an on demand shuttle service began in Redwood City. The Lifeline funding was obtained from the San Mateo County Transportation Agency. The main focus was on the east side of town and covering the Fair Oaks neighborhood. Lifeline funding required service to lower socio-economic areas. It also included stops at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and Woodside Plaza. It was a free shuttle to any Redwood City location. Individuals would call the driver directly to book a ride the day before it was needed. The driver was bilingual, spoke English and Spanish. Extensive outreach was done promoting it to the community with open houses and meeting the driver. The shuttle ran for at least 2-3 years, possibly 5, until the funding ran out. It was never very well received. It was on demand. It didn’t follow a specific route. People made arrangements directly with the driver. It was free. It still wasn’t used by very many people and was discontinued. Afterwards, the City purchased electric vans, one is in use at the VMSC, bringing seniors to and from the center 3 days a week.