CDBG-R Substantial Amendment for Public Comment
Description
THE CDBG-R SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT Jurisdiction(s): CDBG-R Contact Person: City of Chicago, IL Ann McNabb, Acting Budget Director Address: Lead Agency: 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 604 Office of Budget & Management Chicago, IL 60602 Telephone: Jurisdiction Web Address: 312-744-3323 Fax: www.cityofchicago.org/recovery www.cityofchicago.org/budget 312-744-3618 Email: amcnabb@cityofchicago.org ENSURING RESPONSIBLE SPENDING OF RECOVERY ACT FUNDS The City of Chicago is pleased to submit this Substantial Amendment to our FY2008 CDBG Action Plan. The historic economic stimulus legislation enacted by President Obama earlier this year provides us with many opportunities to create jobs and protect people and their quality of life during these tough economic times. In Chicago, we are moving to take full advantage of the diverse opportunities the Act offers. We welcome this unprecedented federal support, and we appreciate the opportunity being made available by HUD to use CDBG-R funds for these important economic recovery objectives. Consistent with the spirit and intent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the City of Chicago proposes to use CDBG-R funds for two broad purposes: job creation and housing preservation. Within these two categories, we are proposing seven innovative programs aimed at low-to-moderate income populations that are ...
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| Publié par | Rozis |
| Nombre de lectures | 24 |
| Langue | English |
Extrait
T HE CDBG-R S UBSTANTIALA MENDMENT Jurisdiction(s): City of Chicago, IL Lead Agency: Office of Budget & Management Jurisdiction Web Address: www.cityofchicago.org/recovery www.cityofchicago.org/budget
CDBG-R Contact Person: Ann McNabb, Acting Budget Director Address: 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 604 Chicago, IL 60602 Telephone: 312-744-3323 Fax: 312-744-3618 Email: amcnabb@cityofchicago.org
E NSURINGR ESPONSIBLES PENDING OF R ECOVERYA CT F UNDS The City of Chicago is pleased to submit this Substantial Amendment to our FY2008 CDBG Action Plan. The historic economic stimulus legislation enacted by President Obama earlier this year provides us with many opportunities to create jobs and protect people and their quality of life during these tough economic times. In Chicago, we are moving to take full advantage of the diverse opportunities the Act offers. We welcome this unprecedented federal support, and we appreciate the opportunity being made available by HUD to use CDBG-R funds for these important economic recovery objectives. Consistent with the spirit and intent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the City of Chicago proposes to use CDBG-R funds for two broad purposes: job creation and housing preservation. Within these two categories, we are proposing seven innovative programs aimed at low-to-moderate income populations that are designed to achieve multiple goals simultaneously, including: Mitigating the impacts of climate change Creating new jobs in growing green industries, like building deconstruction and energy efficiency retrofits Reducing crime and recidivism of formerly incarcerated individuals by engaging them in paid work activities Providing education and skills training to low-income populations Cleaning-up low-income neighborhoods and eliminating blight by greening vacant land in low-income communities Preventing foreclosure by offering homeowners tools to remain in their homes Mitigating the impact of foreclosure on neighborhoods Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship . Under the leadership of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has become known as an international leader in greening. The City of Chicago has led by example in greening its own operations. For example, every new city facility must
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achieve LEED silver certification. The City, with one of the largest fleets in the nation, has received multiple awards for pioneering green vehicles. In addition, Chicago installed the first municipal green roof in the country atop the 1905 landmark City Hall building and now has over 7 million square feet of green roofs under development. We have also worked to encourage the private sector to pursue environmental activities through a variety of programs, such as expedited permits for green buildings. The City of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan sets the stage for a new green economy in Chicago and builds upon existing efforts to make Chicago the greenest city in the nation. Through its five strategies — energy efficient buildings, clean and renewable energy sources, improved transportation options, reduced waste and industrial pollution, and adaptation — the City’s climate action plan outlines scores of activities that promise to create new jobs for decades to come. Job Creation and Employment . Chicago is committed to ensuring that all Chicagoans have the opportunity to benefit from the City’s investment in our environment. Non-profit organizations and leading businesses have already undertaken efforts to begin to train workers for green jobs and bring those formerly unemployed or underemployed into the green economy through job training, placement and new enterprises. The City will ensure that Chicago has an appropriately skilled workforce to carry out the work of the Chicago Climate Action Plan and to help our local businesses grow. The City aims to connect green job opportunities created through our greening activities to communities in need and ensure that clear career paths for advancement exist. The issue of prisoner reentry has taken on new urgency in recent years, as tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals have returned to our city seeking a fresh start. Mayor Daley convened the Mayoral Policy Caucus on Prisoner Reentry to formulate policy recommendations and address recidivism among ex-offenders and their specific barriers to employment. In addition, the City of Chicago has expanded job programs serving formerly incarcerated Chicagoans. One such program is the Customized Work Services Program which helps persons with criminal records break negative life patterns and engage in positive steps to re-entering the community as responsible, productive citizens. Another program is the City’s groundbreaking 15-year-old green jobs program, GreenCorps, which puts ex-offenders to work in environmentally beneficial jobs, including horticulture and arboriculture, energy efficiency retrofits and recycling. By attaching ex-offenders to real work activities, the chances of recidivism are significantly reduced. Foreclosure Prevention and Mitigation. The nation’s mortgage foreclosure crisis is having a profound effect on hardworking families throughout our country, and unfortunately it is expected that the number of foreclosures will continue to rise. Foreclosures have a devastating impact on both homeowners and communities alike. If a foreclosure is not prevented, the resulting vacant properties often attract vandalism, arson, and other crime and lead to blighted neighborhoods. Moreover, these blighted homes often discourage further investment, limiting opportunities for economic growth within the community. While Chicago has been doing better than some cities, the numbers remain much too high. In 2008, there were more than 20,000 foreclosure filings in the city of Chicago, and nearly 10,000 foreclosures completed. The City recognizes the magnitude of this problem and its potential to reverse much of the progress we have made in communities throughout Chicago.
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For years, under the leadership of Mayor Richard M. Daley, the City of Chicago and its partners have been working to prevent foreclosures, ensure owners maintain existing vacant properties, and return vacant properties to use as viable housing stock, instead of watching them succumb to disrepair. Since 2003, the City and its partners have prevented more than 2,000 foreclosures, provided financial counseling to more than 12,000 homeowners, and reclaimed more than 550 vacant and abandoned buildings through the Homeownership Preservation Initiative (HOPI). Also since that time, the City’s Troubled Buildings Initiative (TBI) has transformed nearly 6,800 units from abandonment to productive use as affordable housing. Additionally, the City is in the process of implementing its Neighborhood Stabilization Program strategy by facilitating the transfer of vacant properties owned by financial institutions to approved redevelopment partners in areas of greatest need in Chicago. These programs have served as national models, but given this national crisis, we know that there is much more work to be done to keep families in their homes and create solutions that will protect our neighborhoods. We believe our proposed job creation and housing preservation activities to be consistent with the spirit and intent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and we are confident that they will have resounding positive impacts on Chicago’s families, businesses and communities. A. S PREADSHEETFORR EPORTINGP ROPOSEDCDBG-R A CTIVITIES Information concerning the City of Chicago’s CDBG-R assisted activities has been submitted electronically and is enclosed with the hard-copy application. B. CDBG-R I NFORMATION BY A CTIVITY (C OMPLETEFOREACHACTIVITY ) Following are descriptions for each of the City of Chicago’s seven proposed activities to help Chicago residents and communities during the economic downturn: Job Creation Building Deconstruction Work Program Green Jobs Work Experience and Job Training Program Community Green Job Expansion Program Neighborhood Clean-up Housing Preservation Foreclosure Prevention and Homebuyer Counseling Foreclosure Prevention Outreach Activities Troubled Buildings Initiative – Distressed Condominium Program
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Activity Name: BUILDING DECONSTRUCTION WORK PROGRAM Eligibility and National Objective Citations 570.201(e) Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC) Assisting those most impacted by the recession Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economy recovery Activity Narrative CDBG funds will be used to pay the stipends of participants in a work experience and job training program where they will deconstruct buildings, process the materials, and prepare them for re-use in the building industry. Providing work experience and training for hard-to-employ populations, including the formerly incarcerated, is a top priority of the City of Chicago, especially as the issue of prisoner re-entry has taken on new urgency in recent years. Helping these individuals attach to the workforce has been shown to reduce recidivism. A key ancillary benefit of the project is that deconstructing buildings and reusing the materials offers substantial environmental benefits, including diversion of waste from landfills, reducing consumption of natural resources, and reducing pollution related to extraction, processing, and disposal of raw materials. The proposed project will connect the City’s job creation, job training, and environmental goals by employing 140 formerly incarcerated and hard-to-employ populations in deconstructing City-owned properties through delegate agency agreements. Participants will be supervised by crew leaders from the construction/demolition fields. The project will last two and a half years, with four cohorts lasting one year each, starting every six months. During their one-year work experience and job training period, cohorts will function as paid members of a deconstruction crew. Participants will gain work experience and job training through participating in deconstruction projects carried out by sub-recipients of the City. This activity will maximize job creation and economic benefit in relation to CDBG-R funds obligated and will address the Recovery Act, by: Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery . The proposed project will create a large number of entry-level deconstruction and building materials re-use jobs for formerly incarcerated and “hard-to-employ” Chicagoans, and a small number of jobs for other unemployed Chicagoans with construction, demolition or deconstruction experience in administrative and supervisory positions. The project will create jobs in the emerging building deconstruction and materials re-use field, putting funds directly into the local economy in the form of paid stipends to participants. Assisting those most impacted by the recession. The proposed project will employ residents with criminal backgrounds. During a recession, these job seekers are often the
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last to be hired. In addition, the project aims employ demolition and construction industry crew leaders who have been laid off due to the decrease in investment in infrastructure and construction. Jobs Created The City of Chicago will create 154 jobs (140 ex-offender and 14 crew chiefs) in the deconstruction, building materials re-use and warehousing fields. Participants hired into this program will engage in work and training for 35 hours per week. Additional Activity Information Deconstruction reduces waste generation and climate gas emissions, and reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators. The practice also helps preserve natural resources and reduce air, ground, and water pollution related to extraction, processing, and disposal of raw materials by reducing the construction industry's consumption of new materials. Responsible Organization Chicago Department of Community Development 1615 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 David Hanson Executive Director of Business Services Phone: (312) 746-7770 Fax: (312) 746-7773 dhanson@cityofchicago.org
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Activity Name: GREEN JOBs WORK EXPERIENCE AND JOB TRAINING Eligibility and National Objective Citations 570.201(e) Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC) Assisting those most impacted by the recession Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economy recovery Activity Narrative CDBG funds will be used to pay the stipends of participants in a work experience and job training program in one of three areas: (1) Arboriculture/Horticulture (2) Energy Efficiency Retrofits (3) Electronics Recycling Building on 15 years of experience with the Department of Environment's Greencorps Chicago, the City proposes to employ 190 formerly incarcerated crew members and 20 crew chiefs (half of whom will be from among the formerly incarcerated population) through delegate agency agreements. Providing work experience and training for hard-to-employ populations, including the formerly incarcerated, is a top priority of the City of Chicago, especially as the issue of prisoner re-entry has taken on new urgency in recent years. Helping these individuals attach to the workforce has been shown to reduce recidivism. Additionally, the City of Chicago is committed to improving our local environment and strives to be the greenest city in the nation. The Chicago Climate Action Plan describes the major effects climate change could have on our city and suggests ways all of us can work together to address those challenges, create jobs and boost our local economy. This project aims to advance our Climate Change Action goals by engaging participants in improving energy conservation and efficiency, waste reduction, and adaptation. The project will last two and a half years, with two cohorts lasting one year each. During their one-year work experience and job training period, cohorts will function as paid members of a work crew. Participants will gain work experience and job training through participating in arboriculture, recycling and energy efficiency retrofit projects carried out by sub-recipients of the City. The activity will maximize job creation and economic benefit in relation to CDBG-R funds obligated and will address the Recovery Act, by: Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery. The proposed project will create a large number of entry-level green jobs for formerly incarcerated Chicagoans, and a small number of jobs for their supervisors. The project will put funds directly into the local economy in the form of paid stipends to participants.
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Assisting those most impacted by the recession. The proposed project will employ residents with criminal backgrounds and other hard to employ populations. During a recession, these job-seekers are often the last to be hired. We expect the project to put 210 Chicagoans to work. Of these, 190 will be crew members and 10 will be crew chiefs from among the hard to employ population. We also expect to employ an additional 10 crew chiefs from the general population. The City anticipates that it can easily contract within 120 days from date of funds received. Jobs Created The City of Chicago will create 210 green jobs (200 of which will be for formerly incarcerated and hard to employ populations) in the arboriculture/horticulture, energy retrofits, and electronics recycling fields. Participants hired into this work program will engage in work and training for 35 hours per week. Additional Activity Information The program will fund green job employment to implement landscape related improvements or provide services through home weatherization/residential retrofits and electronics/computer recycling. Responsible Organization Chicago Department of Environment 30 N. LaSalle St., 25 th Floor Chicago, IL 60602 Aaron N. Durnbaugh Deputy Commissioner Phone: (312) 744-7468 Fax: (312) 744-5272 adurnbaugh@cityofchicago.org
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Activity Name: COMMUNITY GREEN JOB EXPANSION PROGRAM Eligibility and National Objective Citations 570.201(e) Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC) Assisting those most impacted by the recession Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economy recovery Activity Narrative CDBG funds will be used to pay the stipends of participants in a work experience and job training program through non-profit organizations with environment-friendly work programs. These non-profit sector green work programs provide training and work experience in areas such as locally grown organic agriculture, hand-made sustainable products, and recycling services. Some of these organizations may be “social enterprises” that were created specifically for training hard-to-employ jobseekers. Providing work experience and training for hard-to-employ populations, including the formerly incarcerated, is a top priority of the City of Chicago, especially as the issue of prisoner re-entry has taken on new urgency in recent years. Helping these individuals attach to the workforce has been shown to reduce recidivism. Additionally, the City of Chicago is committed to improving our local environment and strives to be the greenest city in the nation. This project aims to advance our city’s Climate Change Action goals by engaging participants in sustainable activities, such as organic food production, recycling and reuse of waste products, and sustainable manufacturing of consumer goods. The project will last two and a half years, with two cohorts lasting one year each. During their one-year work experience and job training period, cohorts will function as paid members of a work crew. Participants will gain work experience and job training by participating in nonprofit sustainable enterprises with which the City will sub-contract. This project will maximize job creation and economic benefit in relation to CDBG-R funds obligated and will address the Recovery Act, by: Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery. The proposed project will create a large number of entry-level green jobs for formerly incarcerated Chicagoans, and a small number of jobs for supervisors. The project will put funds directly into the local economy in the form of paid stipends to participants. Assisting those most impacted by the recession. The proposed project will employ residents with criminal backgrounds and the hard to employ. During a recession, these job seekers are often the last to be hired.
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We expect the project to put 80 disadvantaged Chicagoans to work through delegate agency contracts. We also expect to employ approximately 5 supervisors and/or administrative staff. The City anticipates that it can easily contract within 120 days from date of funds received. Jobs Created The City of Chicago will create 85 jobs to support nonprofits’ green training and employment programs that benefit Chicago’s neighborhoods. Participants hired into this work program will engage in work and training for 35 hours per week. Additional Activity Information The program will fund green job training that helps to either promote energy efficiency or renewable energy or reduce waste and pollution. Possible industries include manufacturing of sustainable products made from recycled materials, local agriculture, installation or manufacturing of renewable energy systems, waste removal and recycling, arboriculture and horticulture, and other related industries that work toward the goals of the Chicago Climate Action Plan. Responsible Organization Chicago Department of Environment 30 N. LaSalle St., 25 th Floor Chicago, IL 60602 Aaron N. Durnbaugh Deputy Commissioner Phone: (312) 744-7468 Fax: (312) 744-5272 adurnbaugh@cityofchicago.org
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Activity Name: NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP Eligibility and National Objective Citations 570.201(e) Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC) Assisting those most impacted by the recession Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economy recovery Activity Narrative CDBG stimulus funding will provide 230 disadvantaged individuals with real paid work experience coupled with support services and job training in grounds maintenance and landscaping. The Neighborhood Clean-Up Program is a year-round work and job training program that involves alley vegetation control, debris removal in alleys, vacant lots and commercial strip cleaning. Participants will become knowledgeable in operating gas powered weed-wackers; mowers; hand saws; pruners; lopers; edgers; de-weeding devices and picks, and they will acquire worker safety skills that are compliant with current OSHA Standards. In addition, training shall be provided by the City’s Bureau of Forestry in proper pruning techniques before being allowed to trim vegetation and trees. This training will enhance participants’ entrance into maintenance and landscaping careers. Providing work experience and training for hard-to-employ populations, including the formerly incarcerated, is a top priority of the City of Chicago, especially as the issue of prisoner re-entry has taken on new urgency in recent years. Helping these individuals attach to the workforce has been shown to reduce recidivism. The project will last two and a half years, with two cohorts lasting one year each. During their one-year work experience and job training period, cohorts will function as paid members of a work crew. Participants will gain work experience and job training through participating in projects carried out by sub-recipients of the City. This project will maximize job creation and economic benefit in relation to CDBG-R funds obligated and will address the Recovery Act, by: Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery. The proposed project will create a large number of entry-level green jobs for formerly incarcerated Chicagoans, and a small number of jobs for supervisors. The project will put funds directly into the local economy in the form of paid stipends to participants. Assisting those most impacted by the recession. The proposed project will employ residents with criminal backgrounds and the hard to employ. During a recession, these job seekers are often the last to be hired.
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Jobs Created 115 jobs per year will be created for a total of 230 jobs over a two- year period. Participants hired into this work program will engage in work and training for 35 hours per week. Additional Activity Information This project will only use recycling bags for all refuse and proper environmental procedures will be practiced by all workers. Responsible Organization Chicago Department Family and Support Services 1615 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 Arlene Ortiz Deputy Commissioner Phone: (312) 746-4086 Fax: (312) 743-1863 Arlene.ortiz@cityofchicago.org
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