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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4775 Resolution - Updated Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation PlanResolution – UPDATED TRI-CITIES HOME CONSORTIUM CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN - 1 RESOLUTION NO. 4775 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, APPROVES ADOPTING THE UPDATED TRI-CITIES HOME CONSORTIUM CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN. WHEREAS, the City of Pasco participates in the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium, a regional partnership consisting of the Cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland for the administration of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program; and WHEREAS, the City of Pasco also administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and is required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to maintain a Citizen Participation Plan that provides residents and interested parties’ meaningful opportunities to participate in federally funded housing and community development programs; and WHEREAS, the Citizen Participation Plan establishes procedures for public participation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Assessment of Fair Housing, Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), and any substantial amendments thereto; and WHEREAS, the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium has reviewed and updated the Citizen Participation Plan to ensure continued compliance with HUD regulations, improve administrative procedures, and reflect current public participation practices; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of the updated Citizen Participation Plan promotes transparency, accountability, and meaningful public involvement in the planning and administration of federally funded housing and community development programs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON: That the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted., and Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to implement and administer the Citizen Participation Plan and to take all actions necessary to comply with applicable HUD regulations governing the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Community Development Block Grant Program, and other related federal housing and community development programs., and Be It Further Resolved, that this resolution shall take effect immediately. Resolution – UPDATED TRI-CITIES HOME CONSORTIUM CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN - 2 PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington, on this 17th day of August, 2026. Charles Grimm Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________ ___________________________ Gabriela Sanchez Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC City Clerk City Attorney CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 1 of 8 Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs The purpose of this Citizen Participation Plan is to provide a framework to guide the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium (Consortium) and its members (the Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, as Lead) in their efforts to encourage citizen participation in the planning, implementation and assessment in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs. Specifically, in the Assessment of Fair Housing, Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Citizen Participation Plan, and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). This Citizen Participation Plan is prepared and implemented in accordance with the guidance provided in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regulations 24 CFR Part 91.105. Prior to implementation, the Citizen Participation Plan will be available for a period of 30 days for public comment. Any amendment to the Plan will be made available for a period of 30 days advising citizens of an opportunity to comment on the proposed amendment. A summary of the comments or views and a summary of any comments or views not accepted and the reasons why it was not accepted will be attached to the plan submitted to HUD for final approval. Each city has established individual citizen advisory committees to serve as a link between the public, city staff and City Council. In the City of Kennewick, the committee only assists in making funding recommendations for the Annual Action Plan; while in Pasco and Richland the committees aid in providing advice during the development of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, CAPER review, and to advise in the administration and utilization of HUD grants. Each advisory position is selected based upon providing a balance of specific community interests or expertise to the committee. Low and moderate-income people are encouraged to participate when a position becomes vacant. In Kennewick this is accomplished by the city clerk’s office, while in Pasco and Richland this is accomplished through public solicitations as well as direct communication with residents and participants in various social service organizations. Each advisory committee will meet as necessary to review and make decisions regarding CDBG and HOME. These meetings are open to the public. The advisory committees review written funding requests, attend oral presentations by applicants, and make funding recommendations to the respective City Council to aid in the development of the Annual Action Plan. It is the intent of Tri-Cities HOME Consortium to encourage and facilitate the participation of all citizens in the development of the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, any substantial amendments to the plans and the performance report through public hearings and meetings. Additionally, the Consortium encourages involvement of protected classes, low- and moderate-income people, particularly neighborhoods where 51 percent or an amount determined by HUD as an exception criteria service area, where federal funding is proposed to be used. The Consortium also welcomes the participation of minority populations, non-English speaking persons and persons with disabilities. Consultations, with direct mailings/emails and other contact will be made with local and regional organizations and through other publications that serve those in protected classes, or that provide assisted housing, health services, and social services, including those focusing on services to children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and their families, and homeless persons. Introduction Citizen Advisory Committee Encouraging Public Participation Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 2 of 8 The Consolidated Plan The development of the Consolidated Plan is a cooperative effort between the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland as members of a Consortium, businesses, developers, nonprofit organization, philanthropic organizations, and community-based and faith-based organizations that serve low and moderate-income people. This document provides the planning framework, strategies, goals and performance benchmarks to be achieved over a five-year period by the CDBG and HOME Programs. HUD will evaluate the performance of each City and the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium through the accomplishments of community development and housing program goals established in the Consolidated Plan. Note that each City will be responsible for taking their CDBG Consolidated Plan’s to their respective Councils for approval and the Lead Entity will be responsible for the HOME Consolidated Plan on behalf of all member cities. At least two public hearings will be held by the Consortium throughout the development of the Consolidated Plan to allow participation from the public on this planning document. At least one of the public hearings will be held before the Consolidated Plan is published for comment. The draft Consolidated Plan will be made available for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days to allow for interested people and organizations to comment prior to completion and submission of the final plan to HUD. A summary of the comments or views and a summary of any comments or views not accepted and the reasons why it was not accepted will be included in the final plan submitted to HUD for final approval. Assessment of Fair Housing Plan The Tri-Cities HOME Consortium and the two local housing authorities, Kennewick Public Housing Authority (KHA) and City of Pasco & Franklin Housing Authority (HACPFC) operating within the Consortium jurisdiction will work to align their consolidated planning cycle(s) in accordance with regulations at 24 CFR Part 91 for consolidated plan program participants, and 24 CFR Part 903, for Public Housing Authorities. PHAs are anticipated to collaborate with the Tri Cities HOME Consortium to prepare the Assessment of Fair Housing. The Tri-Cities HOME Consortium and the Kennewick and Pasco Housing Authorities will work together by establishing comprehensive community development goals and ensure strategies and actions are taken to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. Moreover, local and regional fair housing organizations and enforcement agencies will be consulted with. The Consortium members will report progress on those goals to HUD through the consolidated annual performance reports (CAPER) that are posted on each Cities website and in a HUD database. The Fair Housing Act sets out the following four clear fair housing goals for all communities to ensure greater opportunities for all Americans: 1. Reduce segregation, and build on the nation’s increasing racial, geographic and economic diversity. 2. Eliminate racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty 3. Reduce disparities in access to important community assets such as quality schools, job centers, and transit 4. Narrow the gaps that leave families with children, people with disabilities, and people of different races, colors and national origins with more severe housing problems (disproportionate housing needs) The Public, residents, public agencies and other interested parties will have access to any HUD provided data and other supplemental information the HOME Consortium plans to incorporate into its Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) at the start of the public participation process or as soon as feasible after. The HOME Consortium may make HUD provided data available to the public by referencing the data on the HUD website. Consortium staff will hold at least one public hearing and meet with community groups, reviews HUD data tables and HUD maps to develop the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) Plan goals. Through collaboration with the Housing Authorities of Kennewick and Pasco, staff may consult with HA Resident Boards in Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 3 of 8 accordance with procedures described in 24 CFR 903.13, 903.15, 903.17 and 903.19 in the process of conducting the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), obtaining Resident Advisory Board and community feedback, and addressing complaints. The draft AFH Plan will be made available for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days as a Consortium plan. A summary of the comments or views and a summary of any comments or views not accepted and the reasons why it was not accepted will be included in the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) Plan, submitted to HUD for final approval. Annual Action Plan (AAP) The AAP is a document that serves as the application for annual funding to HUD under the CDBG and HOME Programs and identifies federal and other funding resources that are expected to be used to address the needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. This plan represents programs and activities that will be undertaken from January 1 through December 31 of each program year. It identifies the amount of grant funds and program income each city anticipates receiving each year, gives a specific description of the programs and activities that will be used to address the priority needs established in the Consolidated Plan, and provides benchmarks and goals to benefit low and moderate-income people in which to measure program performance. At least two public hearings will be held by each individual City each year at separate stages of development of the plan. The first public hearing will occur to obtain public comments on community and development needs. The draft AAP Plan will then be made available for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days to allow for interested people and organizations to comment prior to completion and submission of the final plan to HUD. A summary of the comments or views and a summary of any comments or views not accepted and the reasons why it was not accepted will be included in the final plan. The Annual Action Plan is submitted to HUD once grant formula allocations have been announced each program year and approved by all three city councils. Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 provides for a loan guarantee component specific to the CDBG Program. If applicable, and a member Grantee (Kennewick, Pasco or Richland) moves forward with a program application to HUD the Grantee will comply with requirements in 24 CFR 570.704(a)(2). In addition, the following would apply: • Prior to submission of an application for loan guarantee assistance to HUD the Grantee must publish the proposed application community wide to allow the public to examine the application and to provide comments on the proposed application. • The public will be given timely notification of public hearings, reasonable and timely access to local meetings, information, and records relating to the proposed and actual use of guaranteed loan funds, including, but not limited to the amount of funds expected to be made available, including anticipated program income generated from activities carried out with guaranteed loan funds, range of eligible activities to be undertaken, proposed low-moderate beneficiaries, etc. Technical assistance may be provided to representative groups at the discretion of the Grantee. • The public will be provided with reasonable advance notice of, and opportunity to comment on, proposed activities not previously included in the application and activities, which are proposed to be deleted or substantially changed in terms of purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries in accordance with requirement for a significant amendment. • Grantee policies and procedures will provide for timely written answers to written complaints and grievances within 15 working days of receipt of the complaint, where practicable. Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 4 of 8 This report describes the accomplishments of each activity undertaken during the previous year, identifies how funds were actually used versus how the funds were proposed to be used, what impacts the activity realized, and to what extent the funds benefited low and moderate-income people. The draft CAPER will be made available for public review and comment for a minimum of 15 days to allow for interested people and organizations to comment prior to completion. A summary of the comments or views and a summary of any comments or views not accepted and the reasons why it was not accepted will be included in the final plan submitted to HUD for final approval. The CAPER is due no later than 90 days following the end of the program year, or by March 31 of each year. Public hearings and meetings will be posted on the respective web sites of each city. All required elements of the Notice will be provided, including the specific date when the document is available for comment and the date when the comment period will close. Screen shots of the posting will be provided to show the availability of the document to the public for comment. Public notices will be available on each respective member city’s website for at least 14 days prior to the hearing. The Lead Entity will conduct the public hearing for the use of HOME funds. Each city will conduct their own public hearing for use of their own respective CDBG funds. Public hearing notices will also be made available to one bilingual publication. The notice will include some or all of the following information as appropriate to the particular event: • The date, time and place. • Estimated amount of funds that will be available for distribution, and the amount that will benefit low and moderate-income people. • Topic(s) to be discussed including, but not limited to, housing and community development needs, development of proposed activities, and review of program performance. • Proposed strategies and actions for AFH. • Basic information about the program(s). • Timing and procedures followed in the development and approval of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Substantial Amendments, or CAPER. • Contact name and phone number for requesting additional information or any special accommodations. • Contingency language will be included in the notice to clarify how the Lead Entity and each respective city will adjust its proposed Plan to match its actual allocation once actual amounts become known. Public hearings and meetings will be held at times and in locations convenient to potential or actual beneficiaries, and that are easily accessible to persons with disabilities. All comments and views of residents of the community in writing or orally during a public hearing or meeting will be considered and attached to the plan. The draft or substantial amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan, Assessment of Fair Housing, Consolidated Plan, and Annual Action Plan will be made available to the public for public comment for a minimum of 30 days as required, while the CAPER will be available for a minimum of 15 days for public comment. The Notice shall contain the public comment period, the locations where the plan is available for review, and a summary of the plan. The Notice will be published on each city’s respective website. In addition, the cities may publish announcements through their social media accounts, bilingual publication/online, and in other places frequented by the public. Additionally, direct outreach to local and regional organizations that serve those in protected classes, assisted housing providers, public housing agencies, social service agencies, and advocacy groups, as well as their beneficiaries, will be utilized to broaden the efforts to notify all. All comments and views of residents of the community in writing during a public comment period will be Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Public Hearing Notice Public Comment Period Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 5 of 8 considered and attached to the plan. The following table provides a summary of the public comment period for each document. Plan Public Comment Period 5-year AFH Plan Consortium only 30-Day 5-year Consolidated Plan 30-Day Annual Action Plan 30-Day Citizen Participation Plan 30-Day Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) 15-Day A reasonable number of free copies of the draft plan will be available upon request by calling or visiting the respective City’s Office during regular business hours. The draft plan may be made available in an alternative format with a three-day notice for a request to the respective city member. The Consortium has elected to address the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) need as a reasonable accommodation. Language assistance will be given to ensure meaningful access to participation by non- English-speaking residents of the community. Given a minimum of three-day notice, during regular business hours, the following accommodation may be requested: 1. Interpretation services for clients, at no cost to the clients, 2. Documents may be translated for clients who do not communicate in English, 3. A language line shall be provided for clients 4. Consortium members shall provide printed materials in alternate formats for clients, or 5. Consortium members shall make whatever reasonable accommodations are needed to improve accessibility to programs, activities and services. Request assistance by contacting the respective City Members: • City of Richland, Development Services Office, 509.942.7580 • City of Kennewick, Community Planning Department, (509)585-4432 • City of Pasco, Community and Economic Development Department, (509)545-3441 Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, within reason, any individual with an impairment or disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or public hearing may request assistance. Assistance may be requested 3 working days prior to the meeting, during regular business hours. Request assistance by contacting the respective City Members: • City of Richland, Development Services Office, 509.942.7580 • City of Kennewick, City Clerk’s Office, (509) 585-4273 • City of Pasco, Community and Economic Development Department, (509) 545-3441 The Citizen Participation Plan recognizes Kennewick, Pasco and Richland City Councils as the elected governing body for each City. The draft Assessment of Fair Housing, Consolidated Plan and/or Annual Non-English Speakers Reasonable Accommodation Plan Approval Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 6 of 8 Action Plan as well as Substantial Amendments to the Plans will be presented to the respective member City Council for approval before submitting to HUD. These are regularly scheduled Council meetings that are open public meetings, broadcast live and/or recorded. A “substantial amendment” is an amendment to the Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan that requires 30 days of public comment. Prior to submitting substantial amendments to HUD, the cities will provide citizens with a 30-day notice of an opportunity to comment whenever a substantial amendment is being proposed. The cities shall consider any comments received in preparing substantial amendments. A summary of all comments received shall be attached to any substantial amendment of the plan. Any comments that are not accepted shall be included in this summary along with the reason they were not accepted. A substantial amendment is defined, in accordance with 24 CFR 91.505(a), as: 1. A change in allocation priorities (any change greater than 25 percent in an individual project budget) or a change in the method of distribution of funds. 2. Carrying out an activity (including those funded exclusively with program income) not previously described in the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan; or 3. A change in the purpose, scope, location or beneficiaries of an activity. Changes that are not considered substantial amendments: 1. Changes to the CDBG or HOME budget for a project by an amount that is less than 25 percent. 2. Consolidated Plan data updates such as census data, income limits, fair market rents, HOME high and low rent limits, HOME subsidy limits, and similar types of data. 3. A minor change in location if the purpose, scope, and intended beneficiaries remain essentially the same; or 4. The transfer of funds within a project from one approved budget line item to another approved budget line item (e.g., construction rather than engineering). Responding to Complaints Each city will consider written complaints from the public regarding the citizen participation process, the Consolidated Plan, the Assessment of Fair Housing Plan, the Annual Action Plan, any amendments and the CAPER and provide a written response within 15 working days. If the complainant is unable to file a complaint due to disability, alternative filing methods will be allowed by contacting the respective city. Access to Records If citizens are interested in access to information and records relating to each city’s CDBG and HOME programs they shall submit a public records request to the respective city’s Public Records Office or City Clerk’s Office. Conflict-of-Interest Policy The federal government’s general rule is that no persons who exercise or have exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to CDBG or HOME activities, or who are in a position to participate in a decision-making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a financial interest or benefit from a CDBG/HOME assisted activity, or have a financial interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with respect to a CDBG/ HOME assisted activity, or with respect to the proceeds of the CDBG/HOME assisted activity, either for themselves or those with whom they have business or immediate family ties, during their tenure or for one year thereafter. If a member of any of the three city council members or advisory committees or staff member has a conflict of interest with a proposed project or an approved project, they will notify the respective city of the conflict of interest and the specifics of the conflict. At a minimum, the individual with the conflict of interest will recuse themselves during any discussions or actions concerning that project and will refrain from any discussions concerning the project or the project’s host organization with all board members. Other actions may be necessary depending upon Amendments or Substantial Amendments to the Plan Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 7 of 8 the nature of the conflict-of-interest situation. Each department will review, and research all reported conflicts and will advise the city of appropriate actions in each case. Staff Support and Technical Assistance Staff from each city will be responsible and will make every reasonable effort to provide access and technical assistance to citizens, and agencies representing low- and moderate-income people, in order that they may participate in the planning process. Staff from each city will also respond to those who request assistance in developing proposals for CDBG or HOME funding and will provide technical assistance to assist in the implementation of the project. Relocation and Displacement Policy The Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland intend to minimize to the greatest extent possible, the permanent displacement of any low and moderate-income person that might result from the use of CDBG or HOME funds. This will be achieved through the design and evaluation of each project for potential displacement, by measuring and comparing such potential among alternative proposals and designs, and by considering alternatives when selecting projects for funding, prior to a final commitment of funds. While there is no intent to directly displace individuals, families, businesses, or nonprofit organizations because of projects, the respective City will assist any individual, family, business, or nonprofit organization displaced by projects funded with CDBG or HOME funds as authorized under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, or under Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Cities reserve the right to reject a project or require that any sub-recipient provide non-federal financial relocation assistance to people or organizations affected by the project, if the project causes permanent displacement. Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan-Updated (09/26/2025) Page 8 of 8 Availability of Documents Citizens are encouraged to review draft plans on the respective City’s website and at the following locations: Richland https://www.ci.richland.wa.us/CDBG • Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Blvd. • Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Dr. • Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Dr. Kennewick https://www.go2kennewick.com/620/Community-Development-Block-Grant • City of Kennewick City Hall, Community Planning Department, 210 W. 6th Ave. • Mid-Columbia Library, 1620 S. Union and 405 S. Dayton St. • Kennewick Housing Authority, 1915 W. 4th Pl. Pasco https://www.pasco-wa.gov/188/Five-Year-Consolidated-Plan • City of Pasco, Community and Economic Development Department, 525 N. 3rd Ave. • Pasco Public Library, 1320 W. Hopkins St. • Pasco and Franklin County Housing Authority, 2505 W. Lewis St. Approved plans will be available on the respective City’s website. The City of Pasco will make documents available at the city office in addition to its website. Given three working days’ notice, individual, electronic or copies in a format accessible to non- English-speaking persons and persons with disabilities will be made available by calling, emailing or visiting the respective Member City’s Office during regular business hours.