HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/1992, C-9 - CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST BY THE WOMEN'S SHELTER FOR CITY SPONSORSHIP OF A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION TO PURCHASE AND REMODEL THEIR SHELTER FACILITY 411�AIyIII��IIln�ll^ II��h MEETING DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
Prepared By: Deb Hossli, Administrative Analyst W.-
SUBJECT: Consideration of a request by the Women's Shelter for City
sponsorship of a Community Development Block Grant application to
purchase and remodel their shelter facility
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to schedule a public hearing on
March 17, 1992 to formally authorize the submittal of the Women's
Shelter CDBG application to the State
DISCUSSION:
Background
As part of the 1990 State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding cycle, the City of San Luis Obispo sponsored and received a
$30, 000 grant on behalf of the Women's Shelter to conduct the planning
studies needed in connection with securing a permanent shelter
facility. In accordance with the grant, the Women's Shelter has used
the last eighteen months to conduct a program needs assessment,
evaluate potential shelter sites, and review funding sources available
to purchase a permanent shelter, among other activities. These
studies have confirmed the need for a Shelter, shown that their
present facility, with minor modifications, represents the most
appropriate long term location, and affirmed that CDBG monies are the
best source of funding available to purchase the site.
Women's Shelter Request
With the planning phase now complete, the Shelter is ready to submit
a new application to the State for the 1992 CDBG funding cycle to
purchase and remodel their existing facility (due to confidentially
of site location, staff is not disclosing the address) . As such, the
Women's Shelter is requesting the City to again sponsor a CDBG
application. With Council approval, the Women's Shelter will request
between $400, 000 and $500, 000 from the State to fund the costs
purchasing and remodeling their present facility (formal estimates for
the entire project are not yet available) . Remodel plans include the
installation of handicapped accessibility improvements, creation of
a separate area for senior clients, and correction of several health
and safety issues.
The Women's Shelter intends to take full responsibility for
preparation of the application (with assistance from People's Self
Help Housing) and administration of the grant, should the City be
successful in securing funding. The City's involvement would be
limited to sponsoring the grant application (State guidelines prohibit
the Women's Shelter from applying directly) , insuring the property is
used as a women's shelter over the long term (meeting this obligation
will likely take the form of an agreement between the City and the
Women's Shelter) , and holding a public hearing on March 17, 1992 to
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
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authorize grant submittal to the State. The City has successfully
sponsored CDBG applications for other agencies, such as the Housing
Authority and Economic opportunity Commission.
To insure that the application process proceeds smoothly, the Women's
► Shelter has executed a purchase agreement with the property owner of
the site and secured the support of the Shelter's neighbors to pursue
the CDBG application. In addition, the Community Development
Department has reviewed the shelter site analysis and determined that
their present location is appropriate from a land use perspective.
Staff Recommendation
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Staff is recommending that the Council sponsor the application. As
the Council is aware, the Women's Shelter has provided vital emergency
shelter and food to victims of domestic violence since 1977.
Assisting the Shelter in their efforts to secure a permanent facility
will help to stabilize their program financially (through elimination
of monthly rental payments) thereby helping to insure continuation of
their vitally important program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this recommendation will result in no additional fiscal
impact to the City beyond staff support provided by Administration.
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