Section Three - Montgomery County, PA

Section Three

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION DOCUMENTS - ATTACHMENTS

Table of Contents

A - 2020 Citizen Participation Schedule

B - Public Notice Display Ad February/March 2020

C - Public Hearing/Training Sign In Sheets

D - Public Notice Display Ad July 2020

E – Public Comments/Letters

Housing Community Development: 2020 Calendar of Events

DATE EVENT STAFF

1/15/2020 DEI Training - Colmar EWW

1/15/2020 Take down old application from the web site Kori

1/30/2020 Year End reconciliation with the Controller's Office MH

1/22/2020 YWH – HIC and PIT count YWH

1/24/2020 Internal deadline to update applications for 2020 program year. TM CM

1/27/2020

1. Post applications and citizen participation dates to website

2. Notify Applicants regarding CBDG/ESG/HOME/HAP Training Sessions on 2/21 and 2/24 *Fair Housing*

3. Notify municipalities and non-profits regarding citizen participation dates

4. Notify COO, Deputy COO, Communications Director and HHS Admin

Kori

GP DN

TM CM

1/31/2020Schedule area meetings - locations - reserve rooms for training, Public Hearing in July and December, and Area

MeetingsMH

2/4/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for August) 9:00am ALL

2/4/2020 Email advertisements to area newspapers for Publication on Feb 11th

RE: Citizen Participation MH

2/7/2020 DEI Training - Colmar EWW

2/12/2020 CoC Governing Board Meeting 2:00-3:30pm Cabinet Room CM

2/12/2020 YWH Advisory Council Meeting 9:00-10:30am MCIU CM

week of 1/27 Training prep meeting

TM CM GP

KT KS GB

DN EWW

2/18/2020 Citizen Participation - Public Input 6pm at MCCC, Pottstown - Room: SH221 GP TM

2/19/2020 Citizen participation – Public Input 6pm at U. Moreland Twp Bldg, Council Meeting room, Willow Grove GP TM

2/20/2020 Citizen participation – Public Input 6pm at HSC (room A/B), Norristown CM

January

February

Page 1


2/21/20209:30 - 10:30 am Fair Housing Training - A&B

10:30 to 12:00 pm Municipalities - A&B Application Training

TM CM

GP KT

2/21/2020 10:30 to 12:00 pm HOME & HRI - Cabinet Room Application Training DN CM

2/24/20209:00 - 10:00 am Fair Housing Training - A&B

10:00 to 12:00 pm Non-Profits - A&B Application Training

CM KS

GB EWW

2/25/2020 SNOW DAY for application training - A&B is reserved all day

3/3/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for September) 9:00am ALL

3/5/2020 COC Registration - esnaps CM GB

3/19/2020 YWH Community Update Forum - Sprout 9:00-10:30am CM

3/31/2020 SHP – HMIS grant expires - APR due 60 days 5/30/2020 CM

3/31/2020 Quarterly Reports updated in IDIS GP KT

3/31/2020 Quarterly Reports - CDBG - DCED - HAP - LEAD MH

3/31/2020 Report 4710 Labor Standards KT

4/4/2020 HOUSING FAIR - Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Plymouth Meeting Kori DN

4/7/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for October) 9:00am ALL

4/10/2020 DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS - COB

4/15/2020 Letter sent to all applicants confirming receipt and describing application review and award process GP DN

4/27 and

4/28Staff Committee convenes to evaluate and recommend preliminary funding for 2020 Program Year.

TM CM

KS GP DN

KT GB

EWW

4/30/2020PIT Submission (HDX)

HIC Submission (HDX)GB

March

April

Page 2


week of May

4thMeet with Tara - Final list of projects TM CM

May HOME - TBRA monitoring DN

TBD Grant Inventory Worksheet (GIW Change Form 9email) CM GB

5/5/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for November) 9:00am ALL


5/13/2020 Final Staff Review of recommended projects. Completed project list TM CM

5/15/2020 Send proposed project list to County Senior Staff and Tara TM


5/21/2020 Complete proposed project list. Send list and Resolution via e-mail to Commissioner’s Office. (Lauren) CM

5/30/2020 HMIS grant expired 3/31 - APR due 60 days 5/30/2020 CM

TBD System Performance Measures (HDX) GB

JUNE JULY

AUGNon-Profit Monitoring

EWW MH

GP ??

6/2/2020 Info session with commissioners re: proposed funding TM CM

6/2/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for December) 9:00am ALL

6/10/2020 Email the Annual Plan Notice to the Newspapers - advertise on 6/12 (Announcing the public hearing) and website MH

6/11/2020Commissioners Meeting: Authorize the advertisement of the Annual Plan – Adv. from 6/15 to 7/15 and cancelled

activitiesTM CM

Send letter to all applicants notifying them of funding award and next steps in approval process GP DN

6/11/2020Update Website

Notify applicants of the posted plan, by email blast with letter - “See website for details”

Kori

GP DN

MAY

June

Page 3


6/15/2020 Annual Plan - Available for Public Review 6/15 to 7/15 MH Triad

6/25/2020 Annual Plan Public Hearing for Public Input 6:00 pm HSC – Conference Room A/B TM GP

6/30/2020 HSBG - HAP end year MH



TBD Step C1.9a Renewal Application issues and Conditions (esnaps) CM GB

7/14/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for January) 9:00am ALL

7/16/2020 Final proposed project list to Commissioner's office and Resolution CM

7/28/2020 Info session with commissioners re: final TM

TBD CoC Governance Team Meeting 2:00-3:30 pm Cabinet Room CM

8/1/2020 CDBG Timeliness TM

TBD COC application upload to Website Kori

8/4/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for February) 9:00am ALL

8/6/2020 WEBSITE – Revised list of proposed funded projects (if needed) KS

8/6/2020 Commissioners Meeting to adopt Resolution to submit the Annual Plan to HUD - AND cancelled activities TM CM

8/6/2020 Send letter to all applicants to confirm funding decision and describe next steps GP

8/10/2020REVIEW Final Annual Plan must have Public Comments Section and responses and a statement or document

about Public Hearing.

TM CM

GP DN

Triad

8/12/2020 Deadline for Annual Plan submission to HUD. Consultant will submit to HUD. Mail SF425 to HUD! MH Triad


September COC Application Due Date CM

July

August

September

Page 4


TBD YWH SUMMIT YWH

9/1/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for March) 9:00am ALL


9/30/2020 Federal Year End - CAPER due in 90 days ALL

9/30/2020 SHP – Planning grant expires - APR due 60 days 11/30/2020 CM

9/30/2020 Report 4710 Labor Standards KT


9/30/2020 Report 2526 MBE-WBE KT


10/1/2020 Renew SAMS grants.gov MH

10/6/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for April) 9:00am ALL

10/19/2020 CAPER Progress Meeting

MH TM CM

DN GP KW

GB Triad

10/30/2020 Draft Sub-Recipient AgreementsTM CM

DN GP

November LSA - draft report GB

11/1/2020 Risk Assessment for Federal awards as of October 1st MH

11/3/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for May) 9:00am ALL

11/6/2020 HRC recommendations are due CM

TBD Hunger and Homelessness Week


11/19/2020 HRCs renewal CM

November

October

Page 5


11/20/2020 DRAFT 2019/2020 CAPER CompletedTriad MH

TM CM

TBD LSA - final report (TBD, may be due in late November) GB

11/30/2020 Federal Funding Accountability and Transparence Report MH

11/30/2020 SHP – Planning grant expired 9/30 - APR due 60 days 11/30/20 CM

12/1/2020

1. Advertise availability of CAPER. Email area Newspapers of Public Hearing. CAPER must be completed by 12/3

to allow citizens to comment on annual performance.

2. Post to website 15 days – 12/3 to 12/18

MH Kori

12/1/2020 Close-out old year and Set-up new year files

TM GP

EWW DN

MH

12/1/2020 All staff meeting (reserves Cabinet room for June) 9:00am ALL

12/1/2020 Upload new Program Year sub-awards (FSRS and USAspending) MH


12/10/2020 Public Hearing for CAPER - H&CD Conference Room at 12 noon TM

12/30/2020 SUBMIT CAPER to HUD - DEADLINE 12/30/2020 Triad



December

Page 6

1

County of Montgomery

Affordable Housing Strategic Plan/Five Year Consolidated Plan/Analysis of Impediments

Community Engagement

Gerard C. Pescatore, Programs Coordinator

Katherine Packowski/Irene Woodward, Triad Associates

Status Report on Focus Groups and Stakeholder Interviews

June 22, 2020

Overall Key Housing Challenges and Takeaways:

Key Housing Challenges Identified by Focus Group/Interview Participants:

• Availability of Affordable Housing in all municipalities

• Lack of Availability of Transportation for job options – mostly in the evening hours

• Landlords resistant to renting to Section 8 Tenants

• Landlords resistant to providing reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants

• Landlords resistant to renting to tenants with criminal records

• Landlords not maintaining units in decent condition

• Legal Aid agencies need additional funding for case management work

• Many participants stated they felt that there is a disconnect between services and information dissemination related to those services

• Building affordable housing in Montgomery County is made more difficult by the fact there are 62 municipalities, all with differing zoning regualtions, permiting

requirements, and their structure of fees

• Many municipalities zoning is exclusively for single family homes

• Cost of land ranges from $35,000 to $75,000 per lot

Takeaways (Recommended Actions):

• Develop and identity additional resources for constructing affordable housing

• Assist nonprofits and developers to develop needed Capacity for developing additional affordable housing

• Identify and address regulatory barriers including: zoning barriers (density, parking, etc), environmental barriers, and cost barriers (approval process, permitting, site

control)

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• Work with municipalities on resolving issues that contribute to challenges to protected classes retaining housing including: nuisance ordinances, crime ordinances,

rental ordinances, discrimination

• Work with municipalities and housing developers to use the tools they have to assist in developing affordable housing, including: Zoning – use to their advantage to

allow for affordable housing, select sites in communities with good school, jobs, and transportation – i.e. “zip codes matter”

• Support legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 31 and the creation of a new State Housing Tax Credit program, and expansion of land banks

• Municipalities and local developers need to provide keep State informed of progress on affordable housing projects.

• Local residents need to be on the front line in promoting and calling for affordable housing

• Engage the For-Profit Sector

• County should establish a Countywide land bank

Monday, April, 15, 2019 Emergency

Shelter

Focus Group

10:00 am to

11:00 am

The Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown

137 King Street

Pottstown, PA. 19464

Wendy Egolf

Director of Housing Programs

Phone (610)327-0836 Ext. 322

[email protected]

Kathy Packowski /Gerard Pescatore/Wendy Egolf

Seven shelter residents participated, including one staff (plus six children)

Residents spoke of their housing and social service needs and assistance provided by the

shelter.

Housing Challenges Identified by Focus Group Participants:

- Housing prices

- Lack of availability

- High cost of utilities

- Transportation needs

- Full time jobs availability

- Impact of having a criminal history had on finding housing / jobs

Monday, April 29, 2019 COMMUNITY

MEAL CLIENTS

Focus Group

1:00 pm to 2:00

pm

MANNA ON MAIN STREET

606 E Main Street

Lansdale, PA 19446_

Kristyn DiDominick, MSW

Program Director

215.855.5454, ext 14

[email protected]

Gerard Pescatore/Irene Woodward/Kristyn DiDominick

11 residents attended and spoke of their housing and social service needs.


- Many are homeless and a few living in cars

- Many are not aware of assistance programs, including Your Way Home

- Security deposits are a challenge

- In general, it appeared that there is a disconnect between services and information

dissemination related to those services


3

- When asked what factors were involved in their moving decision, here are some

items people looked for:

1. Schools

2. Safety

3. Clean

4. Access to jobs

Tuesday, April, 23, 2019 Emergency

Shelter

Focus Group

6:00 pm to 7:00

pm

Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC)

1001 Sterigere St, Norristown, PA 19401

Julie Marks - Toll

Program Manager

P.O. Box 109

Norristown, PA 19404

(610) 292 9244 ext. 103

Julie Marks <[email protected]>

Gerard Pescatore/Irene Woodward/Julie Marks

Shelter residents attended and spoke of their housing and social service needs.


- Issues with “slumlords”

- Rent with utilities included was very appealing to the group.

- One resident stated people need help with negotiating leases.

- If given the opportunity to stay in Norristown or live outside the area, many stated

they’d want to live outside the area (Philadelphia, Lansdale, West Coast, Pottstown).

- Transit was an issue – One person likes the new SEPTA key cards; however, most

stated that transit doesn’t run much after 10pm. Also, transit between Norristown

and Philadelphia was good, but not between Norristown and other parts of the

county. This impacts job prospects


Monday, April 29, 2019 Food

Pantry Network

Focus Group

1-2 PM

MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN)

Community Partners Center in Colmar

Paula Schafer

MAHN Administrator

[email protected]

Date to be determined Community

Focus Group

Township of

Lower Merion

Emily Crane

Community Development Technician

Building & Planning Department

Lower Merion Township

Phone 610-645-6118

4

Date to be

Determined

75 E. Lancaster Avenue

Ardmore PA 19003

[email protected]

Thursday May 9th

Housing Equality Center of

Pennsylvania

Stakeholder

Interview

Housing

Equality Center

of Pennsylvania

1:30 pm

Conference call

Rachel Wentworth

Executive Director

Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania

equalhousing.org

facebook.com/equalhousingpa/

PO Box 558 | Fort Washington, PA 19034

267-419-8918 [email protected]

Carolyn Capistrano

Outreach and Communications Coordinator

267.419.8918 x2

[email protected]

Gerard Pescatore/Kathy Packowski/Rachel Wentworth/ Carolyn Capistrano

Discussion:

- 50-60% of complaints are disability complaints – refusal to grant accommodations –

reserved parking space, assistance animals, burdensome application procedures

- Race and national origin are next highest complaints

- Rental transactions are majority of casework

- “Source of Income” should be a protected class. LL can refuse for unemployment,

child support, Section 8, SS

- Section 8 vouchers are a big obstacle

- Previous evictions

- Segregation – patterns are stable

- Fair housing violations by municipalities are a big issue:

Zoning

Nuisance Ordinances

Crime Ordinance

Rental licenses

CO procedures

Monday, May 13th

Legal Aid of Southeastern

Pennsylvania

Stakeholder

Interview

Legal Aid of

Southeastern

Pennsylvania

9:30 am

Conference Call

Kesha James, Esq.

Susan Strong, Esq.

Deputy Director for Advocacy & Pro Bono Director

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

625 Swede Street

Norristown, PA 19401

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 610-275-5400 ext. 131

Fax: 610-275-5406

Gerard Pescatore/Kathy Packowski/Kesha James/Susan Strong/Dan /Irene Woodward

Discussion:

- Discrimination against people with vouchers (results in discrimination against

people of color, women, people with limited income). Families…evicted for noise

(same noise children would make).

- Discrimination against people with disabilities. Landlords not willing to make

reasonable accommodations.

- Eviction notices. People are behind in rent. Habitability issues too

- If every municipality had a housing code for renters, it would help. It varies among

municipalities. Enforcement is not consistent. A housing code for the county might

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help…inspections when applying for rental license. Also, inspections every couple of

years and inspections when a tenant has a complaint

Tuesday, May 14th

Pennsylvania Housing

Finance Agency

Stakeholder

Interview

Pennsylvania

Housing Finance

Agency

11:00 am

Conference Call

Bryce Maretzki

Director of Strategic Planning and Policy

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Phone: 717.780.1867 | Fax: 717.614.2794

www.phfa.org

Gerard Pescatore/Kathy Packowski/Bryce Maretzki

Discussion:

- Biggest challenges include lack of Resource for building affordable housing and the

Capacity, finding qualified developers and affordable housing providers.

- Regulatory barriers / zoning barriers are also on the list

- Greatest opportunities for local communities to have an impact include reviewing

and revising their zoning ordinances to be favorable to affordable housing

- Two legislative efforts underway include Senate Bill 31 which will uncap the amount

of funds from the realty transfer tax that is funded to the State Housing Trust Fund

and creation of a State Housing Tax Credit Federal program

- Role of local communities: Breaking down myths about affordable housing…to break

the stigma. Building better partnerships. Showing legislators the impacts safe,

affordable housing has at the local level (impact on families, children, health needs,

etc

- Below should be considered when building a coalition to advance access to

affordable housing?

-Schools, K-12 as well as universities

-Realtors and builders

-Local gov’t

-Local zoning / land use

-Addressing the stigma of affordable housing

-We need to think about how we are getting housing everywhere.

-Prevailing wage issue ($25k…should be upped)

-Modernizing building codes

Thursday, May 16th Stakeholder

Interview

Marianne G. Lynch, CFRE

Chief Executive Officer

Gerard Pescatore/Kathy Packowski/Marienne Lynch

Discussion:

6

Habitat for Humanity of

Montgomery and

Delaware Counties, PA

Habitat for

Humanity of

Montgomery

and Delaware

Counties, PA

1:30 pm

Conference Call

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and

Delaware Counties, PA

533 Foundry Road, West Norriton, PA 19403-3901

Phone Number 610.278.7710 x 112 • Mobile

802.272.6185

- Zoning laws and other barriers are built into the system. Where the land is

affordable, the zoning is restrictive to large plot sized housing opportunities vs.

higher density housing. Permit fees are expensive and can be a lengthy process

- There should be Countywide land bank would address the issue of property site

control. “It’s another tool in the toolbox.” It mitigates against the prevalence of

absentee landlords. See Westmoreland County.

- Resident-led leadership is important to engage government leaders. Many

legislators assume people want to leave places like Norristown or Pottstown;

however, most people want to see their current neighborhoods improve as opposed

to moving out

- There are so many affordable units that can be transformed in this county and it is

not happening fast enough.

Tuesday, May 28th

Housing Alliance of

Pennsylvania

Stakeholder

Interview

Housing

Alliance of

Pennsylvania

1:00 pm

Conference Call

Phyllis Chamberlain, Executive Director

Executive and Program Assistant

Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania

[email protected]

[email protected]

215-576-7044

Wednesday, April 3rd

HHS Cabinet

Listening

Sessions

Montgomery County Health and Human Services

Cabinet

Key takeaways:

• Housing affordability is a high concern for vulnerable populations. Maintaining

housing stability long-term is challenging and there are few resources (case

management, financial assistance, early detection) and no coordinated strategy to

address this challenge.

• Some populations have very specific concerns that need a tailored response, e.g.

youth aging out of foster care, seniors aging in place, persons in substance use

recovery, families involved with the child welfare system.

• Housing supports should be integrated across human services fields and through

innovative use of county programs- for example, using medical assistance to

support housing supports for persons receiving MH treatment, senior home sharing

programs, housing prevention/ mediation support across programs.

7

• The County needs to advocate for policies that set the standard for quality of life.

Thursday, May 16th

Stepping Up

Listening

Sessions

Listening Session with Montgomery County

Stepping Up Steering Committee (Commissioner-

appointed committee to reduce recidivism among

people with mental health diagnoses)

Key takeaways:

• Persons re-entering from jail have distinct barriers in finding safe, appropriate

housing and would benefit from special programming to meet their needs. This

could look like a “stepping down” program that provides housing support, case

management, and connection to landlords that are willing to rent to returning

citizens.

• Restrictions on criminal history in the Housing Authority Section 8 and Voucher

programs make finding long-term affordable housing a challenge.

• The criminal justice system should integrate housing planning earlier into its

processes, including integration of housing support into its pre-trial services.

• The County should establish a public-private partnership that would advocate for

affordable housing outside the concentrated area of Norristown to develop long-

term, innovative housing solutions and address transit issues. Key partners would

include realtors, developers, funders, banks, and landlords.

Tuesday, April 23rd

Faith Based Agencies

Listening

Sessions

Listening Sessions with Faith Leaders, co-hosted

by Norristown Ministerium

April 23, 2019

Key takeaways:

• Faith leaders/ communities often experience housing challenges at the point of

crisis. There are not enough resources in the County to address the issue of

homelessness, and so many congregations are stepping in to help fill the gap.

• There is a concentration of poverty and affordable housing in Norristown, and the

impact is felt in neighborhoods and schools. Many families feel like they have few

choices in where they can live.

• Long-term residents and members of congregations are moving outside of the

County because it is no longer affordable for them.

The faith community can play an important role in advocating for housing affordability by

helping to tell the story to their members, politicians, and residents

8

Thursday, May, 16th

Housing Developers

Listening

Sessions LISTENING SESSION ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

Montgomery County Children’s Roundtable

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Key takeaways:

• Housing standards are incredibly low for many affordable apartments in which

families with children are living, but families are afraid to report habitability issues.

Landlords and municipalities (code enforcement) need to be held accountable for

ensuring that apartments are held to a livability standard.

• Property taxes are incredibly high in some areas and homeowners are challenged to

maintain their properties.

• Developers are building luxury housing that is inflating the pricing in affordable

communities. This impacts current residents.

• Housing instability and frequent moves cause a significant psychological impact on

children. Policies should put children’s safety first and be trauma-informed.

• “If there is no stable housing, how can we address any other issues? It starts with

housing.”

• There are too few resources for homelessness prevention. Early detection of

homelessness and homeless prevention resources should be prioritized, including

eviction prevention and representation.

• The child welfare system can be an advocate for policy change at the local and state

level.

Thursday, April 18th

Chamber of Commerce

Listening

Sessions

Meeting with Chambers of Commerce

Key takeaways:

• Business owners may not be aware of how housing affordability directly impacts

their business. Data on how this issue affects their ability to attract, hire, and retain

workers would be important in advocating for partnerships.

• Many employers are feeling the impact of hiring challenges- especially those in

industries like retail, hospitality, manufacturing, assisted living and home

healthcare.

• Highlighting the real wages needed to retain housing in Montgomery County is a

compelling data point (e.g. $24/ hour to afford a two-bedroom rental).

9

• The Chamber Boards are important partners to engage in advocacy and should be a

next step in the engagement process.

Friday, March 19th

Valley Forge Tourism &

Convention Board

Meeting with Valley Forge Tourism and

Convention Board

Key Takeaways:

• The retail and hospitality industries definitely feel the impact of the lack of

affordable housing through high turnover rates. Turnover costs and maintaining

high quality staff are key issues for this industry.

• The retail and hospitality industries may not be connecting housing affordability to

turnover directly. Any plan to engage them should clearly outline how commute

times impact retention of quality staff.

• Humanize the issue by telling the stories of people who are unable to afford their

housing alongside the presentation of data. Do so through strategic use of

traditional and social media.

• Housing affordability and living wage issues are interconnected, and employers are

sensitive to policies that would increase operating expenses.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Homelessness Listening

Session

Stakeholder

Interview

Joel A. Johnson, AICP, P.H.M.

Executive Director

Montgomery County Housing Authority

Jason D. Alexander, MPP

Principal and Co-Founder

Capacity for Change LLC

Kayleigh Silver, County of Montgomery

Key Takeaways:

• How to best utilize the County’s annual allocation of ESG Funding and the two rounds of

ESG-CV Funding

- Concentrate on moving households into permanent housing

- Priorities – to expand rapid re-housing,

- Concentrate on diversion to permanent housing

- Crisis response

- Intentionally target funds emergency rent prevention

- Prioritize the “EPIC” – eviction prevention program, free legal support, funded

through PHARE

- Targeting services works for jurisdictions really helps reduce evictions. 80% of all

evictions comes from three judicial jurisdictions

• What are the current services available and gaps in services to prevent homelessness for

the following:

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Extremely low and low/moderate income individuals and families who are

imminent risk of becoming homeless

Chronic homeless including helping homeless persons make the transition to

permanent housing and independent living

Individuals and families with children who are at imminent risk of becoming

homeless

Persons with substance use disorders

Gaps – “Your Way Home” does not work for “everyone” – per Joel this is what

he hears in the community. Applicants who fall through the cracks may not be

have been categorized as those who are most in need. There is not enough

funding for all who contact Your Way Home.

Vast majority of challenges are beyond control. For example – can’t control the

inventory of affordable housing near work or social support. May also have

difficulties due to criminal background, discharges, underlying systemic racism.

• What is the institutional structure, including private industry, non-profit organizations,

and public institutions, through which the County carries out its homelessness

strategy? Where are there gaps?

• The Housing Authority taps into about 6% of low income households in the County.

There are 50,000 households that are considered as low income in the County.

• What should the priorities be for the upcoming year to address homelessness? Chronic

homelessness? Homelessness prevention?

• Once people are homeless, the County has an exceptionally coordinated response

program, however, for prevention, the response is not as good. As a result, the

priority for the upcoming year should be more for prevention. Using influx of COVID

funds an sources from private grants, the DDCD State CV allocation, PHARE and

FEMA emergency funding. Can’t control affordable housing situation

• Are there other concerns or ideas that haven’t been mentioned?

• Deconstruct poverty in Norristown and Pottstown

• Move away from congregate housing. Build facilities that are not in dorm style and

scattered site

• Or use motel model and bring wrap around services to the motels

asked the attendees to con-tact their state legislators to urge them to support a resolution introduced last month by state Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17th Dist., calling for a special committee to investigate whether Gale’s statements violate the law, ethics rules, or policies un-der the Pennsylvania Con-stitution.

Gale, of Plymouth, the lone Republican on the three-member commis-sioners’ board, has refused to step down and has said he will not be “bullied” for exercising his First Amend-ment rights.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Jones said about Gale’s re-fusal to step down. “He’s supposed to represent his constituents. I will be here every two weeks. The crowd is smaller today but we will continue to come until we see tangible evidence of change. We can no longer stand for racism. Nobody should be able to be a com-missioner of Montgomery County and be a racist.”

In a June 1 statement en-titled “Riots & Looting In Philadelphia,” issued on letterhead bearing the seal of Montgomery County and under Gale’s official title as commissioner, Gale com-pared the Black Lives Mat-ter group to “far-left radical enemy combatants.”

“In fact, nearly every ma-jor city across the nation was ravaged by looting, vi-olence and arson. The per-petrators of this urban do-mestic terror are radical left-wing hate groups like Black Lives Matter,” Gale wrote.

“This organization, in particular, screams rac-ism not to expose bigotry and injustice, but to jus-tify the lawless destruction of our cities and surround-ing communities. Their ob-jective is to unleash chaos and mayhem without con-sequence by falsely claim-ing they, in fact, are the vic-tims,” Gale continued.

Gale has not backed off from his position and in subsequent statements ac-cused the Black Lives Mat-ter movement of not ac-knowledging what he says is a racial disparity in abor-tion.

“If the Black Lives Mat-ter movement was really concerned about black lives mattering, those pro-testing me would instead be at Planned Parenthood protesting the slaughter of black children in the womb,” Gale has said, claiming more than 200 Black babies are “murdered in abortion mills across America” every day and that more than 60 million preborn babies of all races have been aborted since 1973.

“What is truly institu-tional and systemic rac-ism is the disproportion-ate number of innocent, unborn black lives snuffed out by the atrocity of abor-

tion,” Gale has said.During Thursday’s com-

missioners meeting, Jones was joined by four county residents who addressed the board and called for Gale to resign.

“We will hold him to ac-count one way or another,” one man from Plymouth stated, suggesting Gale used his words to “push hate against his own con-stituents.”

An Upper Merion woman said Gale’s words “smelled of racism” and she urged Gale to resign and “look inside and challenge those beliefs.”

“You don’t represent me. You do not represent the family and friends that I have in this county,” an-other woman emotionally addressed Gale.

It wasn’t the first time that county residents gath-ered to call for Gale’s res-

ignation.Two weeks ago, mem-

bers of the clergy held a rally at the courthouse, seeking racial justice and blasting Gale for his com-ments about the Black Lives Matter movement and pro-tests in Philadelphia in the wake of the death of a hand-cuffed African-American man, George Floyd, while in the custody of Minneap-olis Police.

In June, members of PA Women Rise held a rally at the courthouse and urged demonstrators to contact their legislators to support legislative action to estab-lish an investigative com-mittee to have Gale re-moved.

While several groups have sought Gale’s ouster, another group, about a dozen members of the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsyl-vania, gathered last month

to show support for Gale and his bringing attention to what they said was the Black Lives Matter organi-zation’s “hypocrisy of say-ing that Black lives matter when they support killing Black lives in the womb.” Supporters maintained Gale’s criticism of Black Lives Matters is accurate because of its support for Planned Parenthood.

Gale’s fellow county com-missioners, Dr. Valerie Ar-koosh and Kenneth E. Law-rence Jr., the Democratic majority on the board, pre-viously denounced Gale’s remarks and stressed that Gale’s statement did not re-flect the sentiments or opin-ions of the majority of the commissioners or of county government.

Arkoosh and Lawrence censured Gale for his com-ments during a June com-missioners’ meeting.

GaleFROM PAGE 1

“Let’s give that a lit-tle thought and wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks, and see what happens with CO-VID-19,” she said.

Mayor Garry Herbert said he thought Saldutti “deserves the pomp and circumstances of a proper opening,” and commit-tee member Bill Henning agreed; Fuller said she thought plans could be fi-nalized when staff has a better idea of when the park will be complete and what phase of recovery the region is in by then.

“This was a project he worked on over a long time, over many years, and

I want to do it right,” she said.

Lukens added that the town’s current codes would set operating times for the skate park, currently 8 a.m. to sunset, and Ernst said he’ll check with the bor-ough’s solicitor to deter-mine which rules are al-ready covered and which would need to be further spelled out and approved.

A payment request by contractor Fifth Pocket Skateparks was also vet-ted and voted ahead by the Parks committee, and the roughly $235,000 payment will be up for approval at council’s next meeting.

That meeting will be held online at 7 p.m. July 15; for more informa-tion or meeting agendas and materials, visit www. Lansdale.org.

SkateFROM PAGE 1

By Jen [email protected] @jenpoetess on Twitter

AVONDALE » Missing person flyers are on display in the borough on Route 41 and elsewhere across southeast-ern Pennsylvania after the June 21 disappearance of an Amish woman, 18.

Her name is Linda Stoltz-foos.

“Our focus is on find-ing Linda,” said Carrie Ad-amowski of FBI.

The Stoltzfoos family re-ported Linda missing after she never returned while walking home after attend-ing Sunday service at her lo-cal Christian church on Fa-ther’s Day.

That Sunday afternoon, Linda was last seen at a farm on Stumptown Road, between the intersection of Beechdale Road and Gib-

bons Road, in the Bird-in-Hand community of Upper Leacock Township, Lan-caster County.

According to law enforce-ment, the woman was last seen wearing a tan dress, white apron and black bon-net.

Earlier this week, the FBI issued a visual composite of Linda as she might appear without a bonnet on and with her hair down and dressed in clothing typical in American society outside of the insular Amish community.

The East Lampeter Township Police Depart-ment is the lead investiga-tive agency in the case.

Linda turned 18 on Nov. 18 and weighs about 125 pounds. She’s 5 feet 10 inches tall with blue eyes and brown hair.

On June 22, East Lam-peter Township police said local agencies and law en-forcement were working together to find Linda with trained search personnel and by using dogs, horses, ATV equipment and drones. Detectives interviewed Lin-

da’s family and friends after she went missing, searching for clues and answers.

Lampeter Township po-lice Lt. Matt Hess told the Daily Local News on July 8 that there is no sign from anyone she knew that she was planning to run away or had any reason to do so.

Hess said that although there is not an active search

for Linda at this moment, the police department sup-ports the local community, including her family and friends, who actively con-tinue to do so.

The department is con-tinuing to follow up on all leads.

The case is rare and atyp-ical for the peaceful com-munity of East Lampeter Township.

The lieutenant said, to his knowledge, no Amish woman has ever disap-peared in the local com-munity, and none has gone missing during his career with the force until now.

“It’s not a common occur-rence,” Hess said.

Hess thanked everyone in the community who has offered to help.

The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and local po-lice are seeking the public’s help in finding Linda.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the East Lampeter Township Police Department at 717-291-4676 or the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

MISSING PERSON

Region on alert for Amish woman She never returned home from church on Father’s Day

JEN SAMUEL — MEDIANEWS GROUP

An FBI flyer appeared in Avondale ahead of Fourth of July to highlight the search for Linda Stoltzfoos, an Amish woman who went missing June 21.

CARL HESSLER JR. — MEDIANEWS GROUP

A group of Montgomery County residents arrive at the courthouse in Norristown to call for the resignation of Commissioner Joseph C. Gale.

PUBLIC NOTICEAvailability of the Draft 2020–2024

Consolidated Plan/2020 Annual Action Plan,Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing

Choice 2020 UpdateFor the County of Montgomery, PA

In accordance with the Federal regulations at 24 CFR Part 91, theCounty of Montgomery has prepared a Draft 2020–2024 ConsolidatedPlan with a 2020 Annual Action Plan for Community Planning andDevelopment Programs and an update to the Analysis of Impedimentsto Fair Housing Choice. These documents are a requirement fordirect assistance under certain U.S. Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment (HUD) funding programs including the CommunityDevelopment Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Home InvestmentPartnerships Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions GrantProgram (ESG). Additionally, the County has included in the planfunding for projects to be funded through the localAffordable HousingTrust Fund (AHTF) and the Housing Reinvestment Partnership. TheCounty of Montgomery has received a grant from the PA Departmentof Community and Economic Development (DCED) in the amount of$119,313. Priorities for this DCED grant include rapid re-housing.

HUD regulations and Montgomery County’s Citizen ParticipationPlan require the publication of a notice which:a) States the availability of the Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated

Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan and locationswhere copies are available for examination; and

b) Summarizes the Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and2020 Annual Action Plan.

AvailabilityThe Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020Annual Action Planis available during the period of July 10, 2020 throughAugust 10, 2020for citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties to examineits contents and to submit comments. Citizens may submit theircomments through the mail, telephone or via email. Comments will bereceived until August 10, 2020. Comments submitted by mail shouldbe addressed to: Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners,PO Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311 or Terry McMullen, InterimAdministrator, Office of Housing and CoAmmunity Development, POBox 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311 or by email to [email protected].

The Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual ActionPlan is available for public examination online at www.montcopa.org, by following the links to Departments, Health & Human Services,Program Offices, Housing & Community Development, and Reports.Persons with disabilities or limited English-speaking ability requiringaccess to the plan in an alternative format should contact the Officeof Housing and Community Development at 610-278-3540 or (TDD:610-631-1211) for provision of the plan in the desired format at nocost to the requester.

SummaryThe Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020Annual Action Planaddresses and contains Montgomery County’s Housing, and Non-Housing Needs, Objectives, an Action Plan, Proposed Projects, andother required statements.

The purpose of the Draft Plan is to establish reasonable bases forhousing and non-housing assistance. In this regard, it details the usesof expected funds in Program Year 2020. At this date, MontgomeryCounty expects to receive and allocate funds (including ProgramIncome and Recaptured funds) as follows:a) $3,455,339.50 in CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation

and non-housing needs (public facility, infrastructure, public serviceand homeless shelter projects);b) $1,386,587.00 in HOME funds for affordable housing needs;c) $283,225in ESG funds for homeless needs and emergency

shelter programs;d) $729,019.00 from the Montgomery County Affordable

Housing Fund for housing needs; ande) $875,000.00 in Housing Reinvestment Partnership funds

for housing needs.

The Draft 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020Annual Action Planincludes the amount of funds which will benefit persons of very low,low, and moderate income, as well as plans to minimize displacementof persons. No displacement is proposed or expected.

Public Hearing - Due to current public health concerns, a virtualPublic Hearing on the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, andAnalysis of Impediments to Fair Housing will be held on Tuesday July28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Instructions on how to access the meeting willbe posted on the County website at www.montcopa.org. Interestedparties may attend the hearing and present their comments on the DraftPlan. If you have a special need and require an accommodation inorder to participate, please contact Terry McMullen, at 610-278-3540or (TDD: 610-631-1211). Advance notice of 5 days is required forsign-language or non-English speaking interpreter services, at no costto the requester.

Citizens who may have an interest in projects which may impacthistoric resources should make themselves known so that the Countycan involve them in the notification and review process of the NationalAdvisory Council on Historic Preservation (as set forth in 36 CFRPart 800). Please contact the Office of Housing and CommunityDevelopment no later than July 20, 2020 to be included in the Part 800notification process.

The Board of Commissioners has a meeting tentatively scheduled forAugust 13, 2020, to take final action on the Plan. County residentswishing to attend this Commissioners’ meeting can visit the County’swebsite at www.montcopa.org for the exact date and time of themeeting. After considering citizen comments, the Plan will be adoptedwith such modifications as deemed appropriate. Montgomery Countyintends to submit the 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 AnnualAction Plan to HUD on or before August 14, 2020. HUD approval isexpected on or before October 1, 2020.801 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA | masonicvillages.org | Open for everyone.

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Newspaper: Pottstown Mercury Issue Date : 07/10/2020

Advertiser : Dept of Housing Services Ad Number: 202374401

1��l.N.T1Cl,20l0 � -

CHESTER COUNTY

Prosecutor: 14-year-old's plea leads to trafficking arrests J7w Ani:ria:Ud hu.

raAZal. PA.• A H • ·fH.r-Old girl'11 mesuge on Face-book uyin1 "I don't wuit to be �A! anymore" helped JC-cun her rTSCue and led to a.mat.II in wh&I aulbofitiel ult a ,ex tnfficking rlna: In 1ou1he.111tem Penn1ylnnia, prosecutor1 u.id WednHday.

The Che1ter County proseeutor'• office sdd the gir t wu rescued May 30 from a Malvern convenience store parking lot after being held for wuks at various locations. tnvesllg:atou a.lle1e that she and an 18--year--okl wrre found to be victims

MISSING PERSON

ByJeDSa!l:IUel }M,niwlflrJmlyl«GUOftt -,r,.p«ku 01' n.uur

AVOlroAU • Millling person f l y m � o n display ln lhe borough on Route 41 and� &eJ"tJU aoutheutern Pu.nsytvanl.a following the June 21 dls.appearance at &n Amish 'tl"'Omtn, 18.

Hu name 11 Linda Stoltzfooe. "'Our rocu1 la on finding Linda,"

said CanieAdamowskl olthe FederaJ Bureau of lnvutiption (FBI).

of a se::r: traffickirt1 lfOUp. Prosrcutors and Eut Whiteland

Township poli� arrutrd tbrtt men on char1e1 of running the alleged or1anintlon and five other people on cbar1es of having paid for an with the vktlma. Distdct Auorney Orbon.b Ryan aald autborhlu are tryin& to determine if there ,rere other vktlms.

Authori1ie1 .u.id the H•�ar..ald, mi&sln& from Muyb.nd since u.rly May, sent a mt!:uage to a friend sayIng she was bt!:ln1 held ;q;ainst her will and sold for 1e:1. The friend aluted police. Autborlllea uld the

Lampeter Tawnshlp PcUce Lt. Matt Hess told MediaNewB Graup on July 8 that there Is no sign tram anyone she lm8wtbatsbewas plannlngtnrun away or had any reason ID do so.

victim .sent a Facebook meuage to her mother May 28 saying: she '"didn't want to be here anymore· and asked to be picked up at the pu-kin1: lot. Her motbu called po,. lice and the (irl waa rucuNI in the early morning boun of Mar 30. o f • ficlalssdd.

Witnt!:IICS lntervlewNI in that cue led to diK:ovny of thr 18-yur old victim who said she w.u picked up in Virginia and ht!:ld against her wlll for about three ""et:lu In February and March In the Eut Whiteland Township area before she wu able to escape, prosecutors said.

The Stolt2'001 family rt!:portt!:d Linda mlssln& aftt!:r she nevt!:r returned home while 'IR1king home afttt attmdUllSundayaervice at herloca:I Christian church on Falhe:r's Day.

On June 22, East Lampeter Town• •1111...,""""■0,■, ,.■w

l:...<c--•.,•,■,,.1!.�,=,.,.=---!, :fnc�!

1

�l1:�:�':.�:i:�t �� An FBI flyer appeared In Avondale

That Sunday ahcmoon Linda was lu1 SHn at a farm on Stumptown Road, between the Intersection of lktthdale Road and Gibbons Road, In the Bird•ln•lland community of Upper Lucock Tmmahlp, La.neuter County,

wortins to1ether to find Unda with ahead of FOUfth of July to hlQhllght tnlncd surth ptrsonnel and by uti• the 91uter Philadelphia tt!:glonal llzin1 dop, horus, ATV equipment search fOf mlsslng teenager Linda and drones. Detutivct intervlewtd Stoltzfoos. an Amlsh woman who Unda"s ram Uy and frlendi after she Wt!:nt missing on June 21.

According to lawenfortt�nt , the tttnapr wu lut attn wearing a tan dreu, whhe apron and black bonneL

Earlier tbla week,. the FBI iHut!:d a visual compoette of Unda as she ml1ht appear without a bonnet on and •Hh her hair down and dreued In clotbln11ypkal In Amedan aod• ietyoot,lde of the lruular Aml!hammunity.

1be Eut Lampeter Township PoIke Dt!:partment In Pennsylvania Is lhc lead ln,·«t11ative agency in the missing ptrson case.

Linda turned 18 on Nov. 18 and Wt!:lg-hs approximately l'lS pounds. She'll five fttt, 10 inc� tall with blut!: t!:� and brown hair.

READERS' VIEWS

Wfflt ml11ln1, &earchin1 for duu and .........

LampnerTownshlp Police U. Matt Hus told MedlaNnn Group on July 8 th.at thert!: Is no sign from anyone 1he knew tha.l she wa..s planning to run away or had .any re-aaon to do so.

She vanlshNI while walking home front Sunday church aeniu.

Heu uld that although there la not an u.lh'\!: ae.a.rch for Unda at tht• mommt, the police department supporta the local community, Including her family and frit!:ndl, who ac:th.,ely continue to do so.

The department Is contlnulns to follow up all lea.d.11.

The ca..se Is rare and atypical for the peaceful community of Eut Lampeter Township in the heart of America's "AmUh Country" - a

world made fa.moua by the 1985 film "Witnes.s.•

Tht!: lieutenant said, to his knowledge, no Amish woman hu ever dls· appearf'd In the local community, and none have 1one missing during hie catttr with the force until now.

"It's not a comm<>n occurreru:e: lleuu.ld.

lleu thankNI e\--et)'One In thecommun"y who bu offettd to help.

The FBl's Philadelphia. Pil:ld Office and local polk.e ue 1tekin1 the publk'a hdp in loatln1 Linda.

Anyone with lnformaHon to help law t!:nforcement find the mluln1 tttnagcr ia: ur� to cont&et the Ea.st Lampeter Town1hip Police Oepartfflt!:nt vta 717·291-4676 or the FBI at 1--800-CALL-FBI 0-800-225•532.,t,).

Spring-Ford School District curriculum needs nzore diversity

Dur Memben of the Sprin1-For-d bialea about Peo� of Color (POC) ln-Aru School Board, graJntd Into their mindt u a ruult

RMffll tvent.a im'Dlvin1 the tra1• of� btllt!:fs stemming bull to edy of Geo,xe Ployd and the manJ ,lavcry and colonization. Thr:rdo1ie, otM'r1 who have Ion their Jins due ch&n� that includet a more dtverte to police brutality promptNI us to and .accurate curriculum wUI htlp takt the time to educate ouraeh-es on ere.ate productl\'C. anti-racist miemnce and the hl.noryof ndsm In our hen ofM>Clety, a.s'We'll u people who countr)'. Through our independrnt re-- treat women and lgbtq+- people with aearch m have noticed that ow h�- t!:CllJ-&lhy a.nd resptct. That beh11' u.kl. toryclUIU .a.tt lacking content a.bout we propose the history curriculum lnminori'tydlscriminatlon and ma.nyof cludu: the storle1 ft bear comt!: from a pa- " mo� dh·erae lf1eralure and non• trio Uc point of v iew . licdon malt-rla.l o f POC wrinen b y

F.duca.tion l,s <:w1e of the mor t tmpor- POC; urint factors to shifting the mindset • di.Kuulon o( mart ctvll ri1hta of our society. Wt are two 10th grade leaders such u Malcom X, Claudette students at Sprin1-Ford Hi!h School, Colvin, and Ba.ya.rd Rustin; thi& topic Is vuy important to us and • lnclwion of Na.th'I!: American hi• many other 11udenu and parent& of tory and culture through many dlftbe district. fn-ent perspecth'�. including Fint

We ba,-e compiled a. list of topics Nations and tht!:lr •laughter and u-11'1! would like to see incorporated Into simllation u wcll u the nlstenoe of our curriculum. humt.n l.OOfii in re«"nt centuries;

We find it crucial to rec:ons-truct •bistocyof raclalllunandwhywe tht!: currkulum as the majority of abould notuytt�m; Spring.ford student.a and S1atf are • morr OOftragt of the boloc,,tut white. Hiflory ii laugbt ao that� .and inclutM>n of the continu.ed &nttwbe:thcr white or � of Color, do Sttnetlsm that followed; not repeat the ml.stakes of our an• • mott history on women·• ri1bt1 cutors, but how can adults expect nrunlu, suffrag:ettH, and womt!:n tht!: nC'III" genentlon to .successfully lt!:adus, such u Ruth Bader Gin•achiew lhl1 goa1 when their educ.a.• burg, etc.; tion is non-inclllffl'I!: and patriotical1y • t:ht.ngi111 the (ilJIIUage" 5UJ'1"0UIMlbiued? Undentandin1 our put ere- ln.g hlst.orical POC. for ex.ample, sayatea a conneedon to luues, especially Ins ensla\'ed pcople/tnlllawn instead ncia.l oDes, today and supplies siu- of 1la.�muten; dents with the tools to acti\•ely dis- • lnchuion of l(htq+- history 1uch mantlt!: them. as lhe la.nndf'r acart a.nd tbt 11one--

0Ur bope b tba.t Spring.ford •ill wa.lluprisin1,uwdla.seduc.ation on no longn be complkit in lf'tting: hate bomopbobic/lnruphobicalunlOr\U· and prejudltt shape the minds of atu- dents leun why its disresptetful to dents. Rieprdlt!:S.1 of whether or not 6-aY them. 1tudent1 and staff actiw:ly hold rac- • lessons about nda.l,�dlacrimist beliefs, l!\'el')'Ont b.u had implicit tnation and discrimination toWard1

the IJ;btq+- community th.at still ex• lru In Arnffic.a and the world today;

• consldenlion of flJ;UJTt 1uth u Thomu Jdfuson, George Wuh\ngton, Abuharn Lincoln, Christopher Columbu5, Andrew Jackton, etc; men holisticallywrth recor;nltktn that they were not perfect peopl�, nor saviors;

• more geogn.phy \uaoru, to help iu understand where dltremat people and cultures come from;

• education in earHer 1ndes about cuttunl iippropria.tkm, difl'r�nt H'ligioru, and racial blues.

These 1ugge.1Uons are topics we ptt1011ally did not see covered wenlnour cluse:3.

Through talking person.ally with many other student.au �ll as fffd.back received through &n online petition (http://chng.itfBwY9sMrC) we know that� �n'tthe onlyones ropporting this curricular ch&nJ"e.

A stud�t signed tlw! petition and staled, .. I'm signing: because I want thi.1 to ha.ppm. I dktn't kr,owwha.tJuneteenth wu until a week a.so. Some-thing needs to change, and it begina bere."This i&Jwtone oflhe manystudenu who provided �back on ow petition.

We have realiz.ed that a lu1r: of minority education ls the cue for many students in the district. This b so� thing that is very imporunt to us and many other students. We are willingto help and look forward to engagement and furtberdlscussJon wrth the Board. We a� ncl1ed to bur back from )'OU and we thank )-OU lor your time.

-Siena Johnson and Maew Brmnan,

]Qt/i-�fflldenu

MORE ONLINE: POTTSMERC.COM

, .. .,"""' ILOCALIIEWSOJ •

PUBLIC NOTICE Avallablllty of the Draft 2020--2024

Con■oUdatad Pl■n/2020 Mnual Aetion Plan, Anal'y911 ol lmpedlmenb 10 Fair Houalng

Ct,o.,.2020Updolo For thl County of Montaome,y, PA

In aocotdance with the Federal regulations ■I 24 CFR Part 91, the County of Montgomery has prepared a Draft 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan with a 2020 Annual Action Plan to, Community Planning end DeYe,lopment Programs and an updale IO the Analysis of Impediments lo Fair Housing Choice. These documents are a reqtirernent tor direct as.sistarc:e under certain U.S. De-partrnenl ol Housing and Urben Oeveq>ment IHUOJ fuMirag J>((9&ffll including Che Community � Ok>ck Grant Program (C080), the Home l�lmant Partnefshpl Prognm (HOME), and lhe Eme,gency Sol� Granl Program (ESG). Addiionally. the County has included in the plan funding for projeclS to be funded through the local ANOldable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF)and ltM HoUling Reinvesbnenl: Partnership. The County ol MonlgOrnery has received a grant from the PA Oepartrnent of Community and Economic Development IOCEO) in the amounl of S119,313. Priorities for 1\i:!11 DCED grant inc:llKJe rapid rehousing.

HUO regutahons and Monlgom�ry Counl'(s Citizen Participation Plan require the pt.blication CM a nohce which:

a) Stales the avaiab�ity of the Oran 2020-2024 Contolidal.cl Plan and 2020 AnnuaJ Action Plan and locations where copies are available lo, examination; and

b) SummerizestheDrafl2020-2024Con.solidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan.

Avalloblllty The Oran 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan Is avaJ.able during the period of July 10, 2020 through August 10, 2020 tor cilizens, public: agencies, and other interesled parties lo examine its contenls and to submit commenlS. Citizens may submit their comments: through lh• mail, lelephone or via email Comments will be received until Augusl 10, 2020. Comments submitted by mail should be addressed to: ChaW',

�t1

c·111�:Zst'!:�;:.. =�rrr:; Terry McMullen, lnl&rim Administrator. Office ol Housing and Community Oeve� PO Box 311, Nomslown, PA HMCM-0311 or by email to JMCMUI l f. fl'IOOIOOPI om

The Draft 2020-202-4 Consolidated Plan and 2020 An,.,..a Action Plan Is available lot public examin11ion online at www monlcooa OCR, by lollowing the links lo Departments, Health & Human Services, Program Offices, Housing & Community Development. and Reports. Persons with disabilities or limited Enguh-speaklng ability requiring aa:ess lo the plan In an ahrnative format shoukl contact the Office CM Housing and Community Oeveklpment at 610·278-35-10 °' (TOO: 61().631-1211) kw' provisk>n ol the plan in the desJred tom,at 11 no cosl to the requester.

Summa-y The Draft 20:20-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan addresses and contains Montgomery County's Housing, and Non•HollSlng Needs, Ob,lectives. an Aclion Plan, Proposed Projects, and other required statements.

The pUfPOSe of the Draft Plan Is to establish reasonable bases tor housing and non-housing assistance. In lhis ,ega,d, ii dee.ails lhe uses of e)l)ecied funds in Program Year 2020. Al this date, Montgomery Comly expects lo receive and allocale funds (lrc:tuding Program Income and Recaptured funds) aa lolkMs:

a) $3,455.339.SO in COBO funds for housing rehabi&ration and non-housing needs (publie fac�ity, inlrastructure, public service and homeless shelter projects);

b) $1,38G,587.00 in HOME lunds kw affordable housing needs;

c) S263,225in ESO tund9 tor � needs and emergency shelter programs;

d) Sn9,019.00 lrom the Montgomery County Altordable Housing Fund lor housing needs; and

e) $875,000.00 in Housing Reinvesbnent Partnet"Shf, funds lor housing needs.

The Draft 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual AcOon Plan irc:ludes the amount o1 lundswhich will benefit persons of very law, low, and moderate Income, as weU as plans IO minimize dtSpLac�nl ol persons. No dispLacement is proposed Of •-ed.

PubUc HNrt"I - Due lo current f)\,C)lic h&alth concerns, • virtual Public Hearing on the Consolidaled Plan. Annual Action Plan, and Analysis of Impediments lo Fair Housing will be held on Tuesday July 28, 2020 al 6:00 p. m. Instructions on how b access thl!!! m�ting will be posled on the County website at www monloooa om. lnbttested partie, ma)' attend the hearing and prHent their comments on lhe Oralt Plan. If you have a special need and reqtire an accommodation in order to participate, � contact Terry McMullen, al 610•278--3S40 °' (TDD: 610-631-1211). AdwllU! notice of 5 days is requi� for sign-language Of non•Engish speaking interpreler services, at no cost to the requester.

Citizens whO may haw an W1terest in pro;ects which may impact historic resources should make themselves known so that the County can Involve them in the notification and review process ol theNational Advisory Council on Historic: PresetVation (as set bth in 36 CFR Part 800). Please contact the Office of Hou.sing and Community Devek,pment no latet' than.July 20, 2020 lobe inctuded in the Par1 800 notifM:ation process.

The Boen:J of CommissiOners has a meeting tenlalively scheduled for August 13, 2020, to lakefinal action on the Plan. Counly residents wishingto attend this Commissioners' meeting can visit the County's website at www monlcooa orq lor the uactdate and lime of the meeting. Aller considering citizen comment!, lhe Plan wil be adopted wilh such mod'rfications as deemed appropriate.Monlgomery Caii\ty ll"llends to submil the 2020-2024 Con$01tdaled Pian and 2020 Annual Action Pian lo HUD on or bt!tore August 1-4, 2020. HUD approval is upected on Of betore Octobe< t. 2020.

County of Montgomery

2020 Action Plan

ON THE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Virtual Public Hearing July 28, 2020 6:00 PM

PRINT NAME ADDRESS EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER

Katherine Packowski Triad Associates

1301 West Forest Grove Rd [email protected] 856.690.9590

T. McMullen, G. Pescatore, K. Silver, M. Hagarty County of Montgomery Staff

[email protected] 610-278-3540

CDBG VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARINGMontgomery County, PA

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan & 2020 Annual Action Plan

July 28, 2020

WELCOME & GETTING STARTED Purpose

Input on 2020-2024 Five Year Consolidated Plan

Input on 2020 Action Plan

Input on 2020 Update to the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing

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CDBG - $3,292,400

Prior Year Funds-$162,940

Total-$3,455,340

HOME-$1,385,787

Program Income-$800

Total-$1,386,587

ESG-$283,225

Montgomery County Affordable Housing Fund- $729,019

Housing Reinvestment Partnership -$875,000

2020 Allocations

Established 1974

Annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable

urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment,

and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income

persons.

Five-Year Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, CAPER are required

CDBG OVERVIEW

Each activity must meet one of theThree National

Objectives

Benefit Low &

Moderate Income

Persons

Prevent or Eliminate

Slum/Blight

Meet Urgent Need

CDBG NATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Is it an INELIGIBLE ACTIVITY?

NO Political activities

NO Construction of housing units by a unit of local government

NO Operation and maintenance of public facilities/improvements

NO General government expenses including construction or repairs of general governmeeeent buildings like City Hall, public works garages and police stations

NO Purchase of equipment (except fire equipment)

NO Direct income payments

Does it meet a National Objective?

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

BUT

A minimum of 70% of funds

must go to benefit low-mod

income residents

2020 Limits for Montgomery County

Family size

LOW INCOME(50% of Median)

MOD INCOME(80% of Median)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

33,850 38,650 43,500 48,300 52,200 56,050 59,900 63,800

54,150 61,850 69,600 77,300 83,500 89,700 95,900 102,050

LOW & MODERATE INCOME BENEFIT

LIMITED CLIENTELE: Income – Income limits established by HUD based on Area Median Family Income (AMFI)

Low-moderate income household is 80% or less of AMFI

Requires income documentation ---- UNLESS…

Presumed Benefit Groups:

Seniors Homeless persons Abused children

Battered spouses Illiterate adults Severely disabled ADULTS

Persons living with AIDS Migrant farmworkers

AREA BENEFIT: Must serve a primarily residential geographic area which is at least 39.75% low/moderate income

persons per Census Bureau or a door-to-door survey.

EXAMPLES: Parks, fire stations, streets, possibly public services

HOUSING: Housing Rehab Program

Homebuyer Assistance

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

LOW & MODERATE INCOME BENEFIT

JOB CREATION/RETENTION: The activity must involve creation or retention of jobs, a majority of which are filled by or

made available to low and moderate income people.

Area Basis - Only for an area designated as blighted per state or local law. Designation can’t be more than

10 years old.

Spot Basis – Not in a blighted area but is detrimental to public health and safety (per local health/code

official). Can only be used to address the imminent hazard.

ELIMINATION OF SLUM & BLIGHT

Facilities can be owned by government or non-profit & open to public

Infrastructure – roads, water, sewers, etc.

MUST BENEFIT AN ELIGIBLE POPULATION - either by area or limited clientele

NOT CITY HALL – except for ADA improvements

NOT FOR MAINTENANCE/REPAIR – no potholes, no grass mowing, no snow removal

Examples of possibly eligible facilities/infrastructure

Park Improvements

Fire Station

Boys & Girls club – soup kitchen – homeless shelter

Street Reconstruction

PUBLIC FACILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE

CAPPED AT 15% OF TOTAL CDBG GRANT - $493,860 for $3,292,400 grant

Can be provided by government or non-profit. MUST BENEFIT AN ELIGIBLE POPULATION -either by area or limited clientele

Examples of possibly eligible services:

Credit Counseling

Employment services (job training)

Health services

Education programs

Child care

Recreational services

Senior services

PUBLIC SERVICES

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to

fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating

affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance

to low-income people. HOME is the largest Federal block grant to state and local

governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income

households.

HOME funds are awarded annually as formula grants to participating jurisdictions

(PJs).The program’s flexibility allows States and local governments to use HOME

funds for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or other forms of credit

enhancements, or rental assistance or security deposits.

HOME's requirement that participating jurisdictions match 25 cents of every dollar in

program funds mobilizes community resources in support of affordable housing.

HOME OVERVIEW

The Emergency Solutions Grant(ESG) Program provides funding to:

1. Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;

2. Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals

and families;

3. Help operate these shelters;

4. Provide essential services to shelter residents;

5. Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and

6. Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.

ESG OVERVIEW

2020 ACTION PLAN PROJECTS - CDBG

Project Initial Budget

Street Improvement Projects $843,888

Sidewalk Improvement Projects

$200,000

Water/Sewer Improvement

Projects

$200,000

Homeless Support and

Prevention

$493,000

Housing Rehabilitation $200,000

Section 108 Loan Repayment $898,452

Planning and Administration $620,000

Total $3,455,340

2020 ACTION PLAN PROJECTS - HOME


Family Services-Tenant

Based Rental Assistance

$35,000

Habitat for Humanity $100,000

Hedwig House- Tenant

Based Rental Assistance

$125,000

Advanced LivingDerstine Reserve Apartments

$475,000

Federation HousingDavisville Senior Apartments

$513,008

Planning and

Administration

$138,579

Total $1,386,587

2020 ACTION PLAN PROJECTS - ESG


Rapid Rehousing $92,049

Access Services - Street

Outreach $169,935

Planning and

Administration

$21,241

Total $283,225

Please send any additional comments to: Terry McMullenInterim Administrator, Office of Housing and Community [email protected]

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CDBG PROGRAM

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HOME PROGRAM

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HOME Program

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ESG Program

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ESG Program

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Section Three - Montgomery County, PA

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Transcript of Section Three - Montgomery County, PA