This meeting was live streamed! To view this stream, click here! #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland First being discussed is “CHDO” which stands for Community Housing Development Organization. This consists of nonprofit organizations that can do both regular housing development and affordable housing development. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland “In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience.”

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland This slide is briefly shared and not very explained. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland CHDO projects are of higher priority to receive this funding. 15% of these funds are required to be delegated to CHDO assignments. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland A notable moment of this meeting was Council Member Jenny Spencer sharing the concern that there is not enough funding and/or gap funding for these projects. The need seems to expand far beyond what is being provided. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I will attach a couple of useful resources for this meeting. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Linked here is the book of Program Year 2024 Consolidated Plan City Council Budget Hearings or the “budget book”. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are the sections of the budget book that are applicable to this meeting. Council may or may not get through each of these sections. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Click here to view the full City Council Legislation. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Click this link to view A document describing the city programs Cleveland intends to fund with this money #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Click here to take a deep dive with Signal Cleveland and Cleveland Documenters on what these Block Grants are and how they work! This article includes the history on these grants, and a detailed overview of the purposes, processes, and procedures.

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland I would like to take a small portion of this time to give a brief overview of the Community Development Block Grant Hearings. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland 1/4 The annual CDBG budget hearings hone in on federal grants the city can receive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland 2/4 The grants are part of a federal assistance program that aims to build stronger and more resilient communities by providing additional money to local governments for community and economic development work. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland 3/4 They often focus on improving housing and economic opportunities for low-income residents. Being federal money, the funds have specific requirements for how the city can use them. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland 4/4 City Council uses these hearings to learn how the mayor’s administration plans to allocate the funds and potentially legislate changes. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland This year, the total available to Cleveland in these federal grants is an estimated $30,455,201. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The mayor’s administration projects the money would come from the following federal programs:

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Council Member Jones asks how much, on average, these affordable homes and/or apartments would cost to rent. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The answer in response to Jones’ question is “between $850-$1500” #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones is not pleased with this answer. Jones shares the opinion that not only are these prices “market rate” and too steep for the community they are to serve, but that the homes are not of adequate quality. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones shares the concern that certain materials as well as those of better quality are given to certain demographics of people and are not given to the poor. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones shares the opinion that the attitude of some individuals in power share the sentiment that the poor should just be grateful to have somewhere to live. Jones shares disdain for this view, tone, and attitude. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As ARPA funds are being discussed, Jones asks if all of the ARPA funds allotted to projects of the sort have been used, and if so, why neighborhoods like those of Ward 1 weren’t given the opportunity to receive any of those funds. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The answer was that about 60-70% of these ARPA funds have been allocated and spent. Any ward that did or not receive funding was based on scoring, project viability, and correctly submitted projects. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Jones shares the opinion that the approach needs to be less selective and more inclusive so that all neighborhoods of the city are adequately cared for. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland This meeting adjourns. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
#CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland

@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As always, thank you for tuning in! Have a successful remainder of the week and see you next time! #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland