WILMINGTON — Today is the last day for Wilmington residents to have their voices heard regarding the city’s affordable housing report known as the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER is used to summarize the city’s activities funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and although it is not required, it is encouraged.
This year marks the fifth year of a five-year consolidated plan, according to city documents, and the report assessed the city’s programs from July 1, 2016 – June 20, 2017.
“The CAPER (Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) is an annual summary of the City of Wilmington’s progress in meeting goals and objectives established in the City’s Five-Year Plan for use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership funds and other funds,” Community Development and Housing Planner Suzanne Rogers said.
In Program Year 2016-17, the city was awarded $871,498 in CDBG funds and $484,147 in HOME funds, more than $1 million from the prior year’s HOME funds were also carried over as well as $833,185 in CDBG funds.
“The CAPER summarizes the City’s investment of CDBG, HOME, General Funds and other resources in workforce/affordable housing, public service, and facility improvements in partnership with affordable housing providers and community-based non-profits serving low-to-moderate income persons including, but not limited to, at-risk youth, disabled persons, elderly, homeless, victims of domestic violence and child abuse, and blighted neighborhoods,” Rogers said.
According to the HUD Exchange, “The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.”
There five-year affordable housing goals of the consolidated plan are outlined by the city and listed below.
- Promote Affordable Rental Housing
- Preserve Affordable Housing Stock
- Foster Homeownership Opportunities
- Sustain Emergency Shelter Programs and Services to Transition Homeless Population to Permanent Housing
- Prevent homelessness for those people most at-risk of becoming homeless
- Support Permanent Supportive Housing initiatives for Chronically Homeless, Frail Elderly, Disabled and Other Special Populations
- Promote Workforce Housing Opportunities for moderate income (80.1%-120% AMI) households
- Support education and advocacy that promotes sustainable housing options- homebuyer education, foreclosure counseling, financial skills
- Support neighborhood services for at-risk and low-to-moderate income youth, elderly and other special populations
- Preserve and maintain public facilities serving low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and individuals
- Encourage Job Skills and Job Training Initiatives
- Foster comprehensive neighborhood planning initiatives to address quality of life and physical conditions in targeted neighborhoods
- Address community safety through prevention, education and outreach activities
Comments may be submitted to the city’s Community Development Division office, located on the second floor of 305 Chestnut Street.
Michael Praats can be contacted at [email protected]
