Title
Presentation - City of Lee's Summit Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Body
Issue/Request:
Review and hear public input on the City of Lee's Summit Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice draft
Key Issues:
Lee's Summit is an entitlement community under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive annual allocation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). HUD enforces the Federal Fair Housing Act by affirmatively furthering fair housing through its entitlement grant programs. As a CDBG grantee, the City is required to identify barriers to fair housing choice and address those barriers through CDBG program and other local and regional actions. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) identifies such barriers and proposes strategies and future actions to overcome these barriers. During the past 12 months, a community wide public engagement process and extensive research and analysis resulted in a draft AI report to be presented today.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution recognizing the results and recommendations of the Lee's Summit Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Background:
Fair Housing is the law. Since the Fair Housing Act became the law, HUD was given the responsibility of affirmatively furthering fair housing through all its programs. The Law prohibits any discrimination based on race, sex, age, familial status, national origin, income and disabilities. Fair Housing law ensures that all persons are treated equally in purchasing or renting a home and every American has the right to have equal access to opportunities and community assets. If barriers exist to fair housing choice, communities need to identify and remove those barriers.
As a HUD CDBG grantee, the City is required to conduct the AI every five years prior to submitting its Consolidated Plan - a five-year strategic plan outlining goals and objectives of the community for implementation through CDBG Annual Action Plans and use of CDBG grant funds. The City initiated the AI in early 2018. It started with a public awareness campaign and public consultation. Public surveys, open houses and other events helped to identify public concerns, personal experiences and opinions regarding housing choice and access to opportunities in this community and in the metro area. Research and analysis of available information and data helped to confirm some of the public concerns or to help to better understand where issues occur. Public engagement process also helped with recommended goals and objectives and strategies for future actions.
The draft of the AI summarizes public input, research and analysis results, and recommends strategies and future actions to address public concerns and existing impediments. It is a document the community can use as a guide for local programs and actions targeting barriers that need to be removed in order to achieve fair housing choice goals.
Impact/Analysis:
The AI can be used as a guide to future programs and public investments that focus on improving access to opportunities for all and overcoming barriers for those who face challenges today for choices of housing.
Timeline:
Start: ___July 1, 2020
Finish: ___June 30, 2025
Other Information/Unique Characteristics:
The AI must be completed and submitted to HUD as a condition to receive annual allocation of CDBG funding. Once submitted to HUD, the City is obligated to take actions outlined in the AI through its annual action plans and/or CDBG funding allocations to implement the recommendations of the AI.
Presenter
Heping Zhan, Assistant Director of Planning and Special Projects
Recommendation
Recommendation: Staff recommends that CEDC approve a recommendation to City Council to adopt a resolution recognizing the results and recommendations of the AI.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: N/A