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Home My WebLink About2025-02-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - CDBG ASMTO Agenda Item: 1 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT PUBLIC HEARINGS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Lj ' DATE: February 25, 2025 SUBJECT: RESULTS OF THE 2025-26 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM DEPARTMENT: Community Development PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council conduct a public hearing and receive information regarding the results of the annual Community Needs Assessment Survey conducted as part of the Community Development Block Grant Program. BACKGROUND Each year, the City of Santa Clarita (City) receives approximately $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist low- and moderate -income residents in the areas of housing and expanded economic opportunities. In order to receive CDBG funds, the City is required to develop and submit a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan), which establishes the funding priorities for a five-year period. The City's current Con Plan covers Program Years 2024-25 through 2028-29. The City also prepares an Annual Action Plan (AAP) to detail how that year's funding allocation will be spent to meet the priorities identified in the Con Plan. An annual needs assessment helps identify community needs and guides the development of the AAP. Staff conducted the 2025-26 needs assessment process in the form of the online Community Needs Assessment Survey (Survey) as well as in -person outreach at events throughout the City. The needs identified through this process are being used to develop the 2025-26 AAP, which will be presented to the City Council in a public hearing in the spring. Page 1 Packet Pg. 7 O OUTREACH PROCESS Staff engaged in a robust outreach process to raise awareness of the Survey and encouraged community members to participate. All material related to the Survey, such as flyers and social media content, were provided in both English and Spanish. Outreach efforts consisted of the following: • A press release issued to local news agencies; • An email link for the Survey sent to all current City CDBG service providers, members of the Santa Clarita Community Task Force on Homelessness, and other agency stakeholders; • A social media campaign broadcasted on the City's Instagram and Facebook; • A flyer distributed to City Libraries, Community Centers, Santa Clarita Sports Complex and Transit monitors; • In -person outreach at City events and Youth Sports league games and practices; and • Collaboration with Recreation and Community Services staff who marketed the survey at Recreation events, City facilities, and via email blasts. In -person outreach at City events included the Newhall Community Center's Halloween Fiesta, Light Up Main Street, and Community Beautification Day held in Saugus. Staff attended a total of five Youth Sports league games and practices to speak to parents, coaches, and participating residents. SURVEY SUMMARY The Survey was available from October 21, 2024, through December 20, 2024, and was offered in both English and Spanish. The Survey included three categories based on the priorities outlined in the City's current Con Plan which are 1) Affordable Housing 2) Public Services and 3) Public Facilities and Infrastructure. Respondents were asked to rate a list of needs per category based on their level of importance. In addition to scoring specific needs, respondents had the option to provide written comments. SURVEYRESULTS A total of 357 individuals responded to the Survey. The demographic information reflected that 34 percent of respondents reside in Valencia, 28 percent in Canyon Country, 20 percent in Saugus, 12 percent in Newhall, and 6 percent outside of City limits. Of the total participants, 53 percent stated they are between the ages of 40 and 64, while 27 percent are ages 18-39, and 17 percent are 65 years old or older. Survey respondents also identified their current employment status, with 71 percent being employed, 18 percent retired, and 5 percent currently seeking opportunities for employment. Lastly, 74 percent of participants stated they are homeowners while 20 percent identified as renters. Respondents were asked to select the three highest needs in relation to the City's current Con Plan priorities. Survey results concluded that the Development of Affordable Rental Housing for Seniors, Homeownership Assistance, and the Development of Affordable Rental Housing were considered to be the highest needs in relation to Affordable Housing. Participants rated Mental Health Services, Anti -Crime Programs, and Youth Activities as the highest needs for Public Page 2 Packet Pg. 8 O Services. Youth Centers, Homeless Shelters, and Child Care Centers were considered to be the highest needs for Public Facilities and Infrastructure. Written comments were provided by 73 individuals, with Youth Services, Senior Services, Transitional Housing, Rental Assistance, and Homeless services found to be the most commonly requested services. NEXT STEPS No formal action is being requested of the City Council at this time. The 2025-26 Action Plan and recommended CDBG Funding Allocations will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a public hearing to be scheduled in Spring 2025. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. ATTACHMENTS 25-26 CNA Public Hearing Notice Page 3 Packet Pg. 9 1.a NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING City of Santa Clarita As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Santa Clarita (City) conducts an annual Community Needs Assessment Survey as part of the development of the City's Annual Action Plan (AAP) and five-year Consolidated Plan (Con Plan). The Con Plan outlines the City's five-year goals and priorities for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds, and the AAP identifies how the City will allocate these funds each year to meet the needs of low and moderate -income residents. Notice is hereby given that the City will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at or after 6:00 p.m. in the Santa Clarita City Hall Council Chambers located at 23920 Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. City staff will present a summary of the 2025-2026 Community Needs Assessment Survey results to the Santa Clarita City Council. The City encourages citizens to participate and provide comments on this item by attending the Public Hearing. Copies of the City Council meeting agendas will be available 72 hours prior to the meeting date at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall located at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 120, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, or online at https://santaclarita.gov/. For additional information, please contact Julia Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, at 661.286.4174 or by email at ejrodriguez@santa- clarita.com. If you wish to challenge the action taken on this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clarita, at or prior to, the public hearing. Para los que hablan espanol, si usted tiene preguntas o desea mas informati6n sobre este producto, por favor p6ngase en contacto con Julia Rodriguez, Analista Administrativa, al 661.286.4174 o por correo electr6nico a ejrodriguez@santa-clarita.com. Gracias. Dated: February 3, 2025 Mary Cusick, MMC City Clerk Published: The Signal — Friday, February 7, 2025 Packet Pg. 10