WESTCHESTER URBAN COUNTY CONSORTIUM FY 2009-2013 CONSOLIDATED PLAN “Sustaining Neighborhoods, Sustaining Communities” March 2009 Westchester County - Department of Planning Gerard E. Mulligan, Commissioner Norma V. Drummond, Deputy Commissioner
WESTCHESTER URBAN COUNTY CONSORTIUM
FY 2009-2013 CONSOLIDATED PLAN
“Sustaining Neighborhoods, Sustaining Communities”
March 2009
Westchester County - Department of PlanningGerard E. Mulligan, Commissioner
Norma V. Drummond, Deputy Commissioner
Table of Contents FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
2
TABLE OF CONTENTSExecutive Summary
Introduction
Chapter 1 Housing and Homeless Needs Assessment
Chapter 2 Housing Market Analysis
Chapter 3 Non-Housing Community Development Needs
Chapter 4 Strategic Plan
Chapter 5 Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas
Chapter 6 Fiscal Year 2009 Action Plan
Chapter 7 Citizen Participation Plan
Chapter 8 Summary of Citizen Comments
AppendicesWestchester County Planning Board MembersWestchester Urban County Consortium – Community Development Advisory Group MembersCHAS Tables Census 2000 Data Tables
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
3
to establish housing and community development goals for the next five-year period (2009-2013) to continue to provide decent housing to local residents
to provide guidance on homelessness; and
to provide a suitable environment to expand economic opportunities
The Mission of the Consolidated Plan…
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive document promoting a holistic approach to housing and community development needs and fosters the coordination of all programs, funded by HUD. It provides guidance on the investment of Federal dollars.
…which will be implemented through the Westchester Urban County Consortium:
Executive Summary
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
4
The Consolidated Plan specifically covers three (3) HUD grant programs and how the Consortium will use these funds to address the short and long term goals identified in the Strategic Plan.
Funding to Meet Short & Long Term Goals
2009 Grant (Est.)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) $5,430,084
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) including ADDI funds
$1,613,876
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) $240,000
Total Estimated Dollars $7,283,960
x 5 years $36,419,800
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
5
1. Housing and Homeless Needs Assessment
2. Housing Market Analysis
3. Non-Housing Community Development Needs
4. Strategic Plan
5. Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Plans
6. Fiscal Year 2009 Action Plan
7. Citizen Participation Plan
8. Summary of Citizen Comments
Plan has eight Components Required by HUD
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
6
The Consortium is comprised of 40 of Westchester’s 45 municipalities. Four of the non-participating municipalities qualify as separate grantees for federal funding:
Mount VernonNew RochelleWhite PlainsYonkers
The Town of Mount Pleasant has chosen not to join the Consortium.
Westchester Urban County Consortium
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
7
Key Findings –Housing and Homeless Needs Assistance
In the last 5 years, single-family housing prices have increased 31% in Westchester while median incomes have increased only 5.6%.
85% of Consortium households could not afford to purchase a single-family house in today’s market.
A person must work 163 hours a week earning the federal minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in Westchester; or earn a minimum wage of $29.21/hour.
164,500 low and moderate income persons live in the Consortium.
72% of Consortium households own their own home, yet only 46% of Black households and 35% of Hispanic households own their own home.
27% of Consortium households are cost-burdened; 11% are severely cost-burdened.
While homelessness has declined, families and singles are still looking for assistance.
13% of population is over 65; 28% of these elderly residents have one or more disabilities.
38% of confirmed lead poisoned children live in low and moderate income areas.
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
8
Key Findings –Housing and Homeless Needs Assistance
38% of confirmed lead poisoned children live in low and moderate income areas.
72% of the 188,000 housing units in the Consortium are ownership; 65% are single-family.
83% of these units were built before lead-based paint was banned; 30% of the units were built prior to 1940.
While the Hudson River Shore Region contains the most housing units; the North County Watershed Region contains the least multi-family housing units.
Most rental units are 1-2 bedrooms; most 3-bedroom units are found in ownership units.
Overcrowded housing units increased 40% between 1990 and 2000.
Only 5,700 housing units were added between 2000 and 2005, of which only 17% were for rental housing.
A number of special needs housing units exist in the Consortium to provide services to clients of drug/alcohol treatment, mental health, physically disabled, HIV/AIDS families and homeless singles and families.
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
9
Key Findings –Non-Housing Community Development Needs
Incorporated in 1683, Westchester County has a significant amount of aging infrastructure.
Former industrial uses along the waterfront have created brown fields and underutilized waterfronts.
NYC Watershed regulations severely restrict future development in certain communities due in large part to the absence of water and sewer infrastructure.
An aging population is creating a larger audience of users for community/senior centers.
Expensive housing requires more two income households – increasing the need for daycare and after school facilities and programs.
Childhood obesity rates have tripled in youth in the past 20 years, causing increased medical problems.
Transportation for the elderly and disabled was the highest community service need raised by consumers.
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
10
Key Findings – Strategic PlanPriorities in funding are to establish for each grant program:
CDBG Priorities
1. Affordable Housing2. Sustainable Investment 3. Opportunities For Youth
HOME Priorities
1. Construction of New Permanent Housing Units2. Multi-family Rehabilitation3. Downpayment Assistance
ESG Priorities
1. Homeless Prevention Subsidies2. Housing Counseling 3. Homeless Shelter Rehabilitation/Operating Expenses
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
11
Key Findings - Neighborhood Strategy AreasHUD’s 2000 Notice outlined the criteria for establishing Neighborhood Revitalization Areas.
17 Municipalities with 20 eligible areas – where greater than 51% of the neighborhood population meets the threshold of being at/below 80% of median income:
City of Peekskill Town of Bedford Town of CortlandtTown of Eastchester Town of Greenburgh Town of HarrisonTown of North Salem Town of Yorktown Village of BuchananVillage of Mamaroneck Village of Mount Kisco Village of OssiningVillage of Pleasantville Village of Port Chester Village of Sleepy HollowVillage of Tarrytown Village of Tuckahoe
Each area must identify neighborhood stakeholders and create their own plans.
The Villages of Ossining and Port Chester and the City of Peekskill have prepared and submitted NRSA plans.
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
12
Key Findings – 2009 Action Plan
CDBG: Priorities: Affordable Housing, Sustainable Investment & Opportunities for Youth
42 CDBG Projects (first year of current 3 year -- FY 2009 – 2011, funding cycle)
• 12 Low/Mod Area Projects• 22 Low/Mod Clientele Projects• 08 Low/Mod Housing Projects
• 62.7% of funds allocated to the 10 most distressed communities
HOME: Priorities – Construction of New Units, Rehabilitation & Downpayment Assistance
HOME Projects (first come first served)
ESG: Priorities – Assistance to the Homeless Prevention & Homelessness Prevention
• 5 Homeless Prevention services for families/individuals• 3 Essential services for families/individuals
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
13
Key Findings – 2009 Action Plan
ESG Priorities: Assistance to the Homeless Population & Homelessness Prevention
Funding for ESG funds are allocated through a Request For Proposalprocess for assistance to the homeless population and those who are at risk of becoming homelessness.
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
14
Key Findings – Citizen Participation PlanCommunity Development Advisory Group (CDAG)
Made up of citizen representatives appointed by each member community and two consortium-wide non-profit agency representativesQuarterly meetings to make recommendations to County Executive
Establishes Comment Periods for each Fiscal Year covered by this Consolidated Plan with accessible public hearings announced with appropriate notice
Substantial Change defined as greater than 10% with changes within a community’s allocations excluded
Access to records – direct written requests to:
Westchester County - Department of PlanningNorma Drummond, Deputy Commissioner148 Martine Avenue, Room 414White Plains, New York 10601
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
15
Key Findings – Citizen Comments65 written and e-mail comments were received by the Westchester County Department of Planning and are
attached in the Appendices section of this document:
February 1, 2009 Don Bosco Community Center, Inc.
January 27, 2009 Peter F. Gaito & Associates,
February 11, 2009 Open Door Family Medical Centers
January 27, 2009 Sleepy Hollow Police Department
February 6, 2009 Community Housing Management
February 5, 2009 John Mitamura, MD
January 22, 2009 Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
January 28, 2009 SH Housing Associates, LLC
January 15, 2009 All Souls Parish/Presbyterian Church
January 12, 2009 Dorothy Scarfone
January 17, 2009 Emily E. Saunders
January 12, 2009 Nicholas C. Mecca
January 17, 2009 Mike DeBartolo
January 29, 2009 Saint Mary Church
January 28, 2009 Claudio PhillipsJanuary 20, 2009 Tully Law Office, P.C.
January 12, 2009 Salesians of Don Bosco
January 28, 2009 Westchester Hispanic CoalitionNo date Eddy GarciaNo date Jeydi LeivaNo date Luis RiveraNo date Julia LeonardoNo date Luis CamachoNo date Nestor GonzalezNo date Israelia CamposNo date Idelsi ConcepcionNo date Hector GenaoNo date Daysi ReynosoNo date Mercedes PadillaNo date Nora SerranoNo date Francisco Tejada
Executive Summary FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
16
Key Findings – Citizen Comments
No date Maria EspinalNo date Horacio ReyesNo date Felix SasaguayNo date Esther BrittoNo date Zoila AguilarNo date Patricio LeivaNo date Luis CabrejaNo date Leticia HurtadoNo date Freddy JavierNo date Brunilda RodriguezNo date Amantina JavierNo date Luis FernandezNo date Maria AraujoNo date Cesar HidalgoNo date Carlos GuzmanNo date Karina RamosNo date Marisol Reinoso
No date Lilis LopezNo date Dionel EspinozaNo date Miguel MorochoNo date Carlos RosarioNo date Mildred RodriguezNo date Ana MartinezNo date Alba PichardoNo date Isabel PintoNo date Freddy JavierNo date Maria GonzalezNo date Gumercinda LeonardoNo date Leonirda LedesmaNo date Maria ValdesNo date Rosa BescosmeNo date Gustavo OlmosNo date Alvin VelozNo date Olga Almonte
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
18
In Fiscal Year 2009…
…the Westchester Urban County Consortium will mark its 34th year of participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and 23rd year of Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), 18th of HOME and through the Office of New York’s Department of Mental Health & Hygiene receives funding under the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program (HOPWA).
The Consortium has a long history of successfully implementing community development and affordable housing programs.
In 1995, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) replaced the annual applications for three of the above programs with one Consolidated Plan. This Consolidated Plan covers a five-year period, with annual updates made to reflect specific projects to be completed with funding for each of the five fiscal years covered under the CDBG, HOME and ESG Programs.
This Consolidated Plan will cover FY 2009 – 2013.
FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
19
to establish housing and community development goals for the next five-year period to continue to provide affordable, decent and safe housing to Consortium residents
to provide guidance on homelessness; and
to provide a suitable environment to expand economic opportunities
The Mission of the Consolidated Plan…
Introduction
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive document promoting a holistic approach to housing and community development needs and fosters the coordination of all programs, funded by HUD. It provides guidance on the investment of Federal dollars as well as other federal, State and local funding dollars are leveraged with the Consortium’s funded federal dollars.
…which will be implemented through the Westchester Urban County Consortium:
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
20
The Consortium is comprised of 40 of Westchester’s 45 municipalities. Four of the non-participating municipalities qualify as separate grantees for federal funding:
Mount VernonNew RochelleWhite PlainsYonkers
The Town of Mount Pleasant has chosen not to join the Consortium.
Westchester Urban County Consortium
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
21
The Plan incorporates and builds on plans and guidance from the 40 communities that make up the Westchester Urban County Consortium, and a variety of other public input, including:
Plan Incorporates Extensive Citizen Participation
11 County Departments
Community Mental Health
Disabled
Health
Parks
Public Works
Senior Programs and Services
Social Services
Transportation
Veterans Affairs
Youth Bureau
Human Rights Commission
Other comments received from:
3 Public Meetings (Port Chester, Ossining and Pelham)
Community Development Advisory Group
Section 8 Administrators
Urban County Council
Non-Profit Housing Coalition
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
22
The Consolidated Plan specifically covers three (3) HUD grant programs and how the Consortium will use these funds to address the short and long term goals identified in the Strategic Plan. At the time of publication, Congress had not yet adopted a FY 2009 budget, so below are estimated grant amounts.
Funding to Meet Short & Long Term Goals
2009 Grant (Est.)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) $5,430,084HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) including ADDI funds
$1,613,876
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) $240,000Total Estimated Dollars $7,283,960
x 5 years $36,419,800
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
23
Other Grant Programs Discussed
In addition to the three main programs covered by this Plan, there will also be information about other HUD programs, including:
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Lead Safe Westchester (Lead Hazard and Demo programs)
Shelter Plus Care
Supportive Housing Programs
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
24
PatternsSub regions
Northern Watershed
Hudson River Shore
Central County
Long Island Sound
Bronx River Valley
In accordance with the Westchester County Planning’s “Patterns for Westchester” 1997 master plan, five sub region areas are identified. These sub regions contain municipalities that share general socioeconomic patterns.
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
25
This Consolidated Plan incorporates 2000 Census Data, including many housing and demographic characteristics as well as low and moderate income areas.
When available, more updated services of data were used.
Census 2000
FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
26
Income Criteria
Introduction
Westchester County was designated one of 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas granted an exception to HUD’s standard use of the national 80% of median income for determining the low and moderate income population.
Being considered a high-cost area, Westchester’s true 80% of the county median income, as opposed to the much lower national median, more accurately qualifies Westchester residents in need of housing and community development assistance.
October 3, 2007 – A public hearing was held to adopt uncapped median income for area benefit*
*CDBG projects can qualify under the HUD guidelines by one of the following three criteria:
1) Area benefit – benefits areas where the HUD/Census data shows more than 41.2% of the population as low and moderate income.
2) Direct benefit – the project directly benefit persons who are below the low and moderate income criteria
3) Slum and blight removal – a municipality must officially designate an area as blighted.
The County will continue to use the uncapped income data to determine the eligibility of each proposed project under the CDBG, HOME, ADDI and ESG programs.
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
27
Non-consortium areasLow and moderate income areas
Source: US HUD 2008 and US Census Bureau, 2000.
Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning.
In the Westchester Consortium, a low and moderate income area is defined as a census block group where greater than 41.2% of the population has an income at or below 80% of the county median income.
As of 2008, the median income for Westchester County for a family of four was $101,600.
These new low and moderate income areas from the Census 2000 and 2005 data will be in effect term of this consolidated plan.
Low and Moderate Income Target Areas
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
28
Consortium Population - 2005
Central County has the largest population of the five (5)sub-regions at 156,987 persons (26% of the Consortium)followed by the Hudson River Shore.
608,000 persons66% of Westchester’s total population
20% population increase from 2000
200,000 households10% household increase from 2000
220,000 housing units2% housing growth from 2000
Consortium Population, 2005 (est.)
Central County, 156,987, 25%
Northern Watershed,
125,726, 21%
Long Island Sound, 126,670,
21%
Hudson River Shore, 125,964,
21%
Bronx River Valley, 72,509,
12%
Source: US ACS 2005 and City Data.com 2005
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
29
Population by Age
74,889
55,619
30,843
107,066
171,041
59,200
8,924
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
0-9years
10-17years
18-24years
25-39years
40-64years
65-84years
85+
pers
ons 1990
2000
Change in Population by Age Cohort, 1990 to 2000Westchester Urban County Consortium
2000 population
132,000 youth under 18 (22% ofConsortium), a 24% growth between1990 and 2005
18,500 Hispanic (13% of youth)9,800 Black (7% of youth)
58,000 households with children under18 (28% of Consortium households).
68,000 elderly 65 years and over (10%of Consortium population)
17,000 or 25% live alone75% of the elderly who live alone are female
Change in Population by Age Cohort 2000-2005, Westchester urban County Consortium
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
0-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-44 45-64 65-84 85+
Age Groups
Popu
latio
n
Population 2000Population 2005
Source: US ACS 2005 and City Data. com 2005
Introduction FY 2009-2013 Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
30
Population Density 2000
Non-consortium municipalities
0 - 5,0005,001 - 10,00010,001 - 20,00020,001 - 55,000
Persons per square mile, 2000
The Bronx River Valley and theLong Island Sound are the mostdensely populated sub regions.
Outside of these two sub regions,the Village of Ossining and the Cityof Peekskill also have highpopulation densities.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2000