History: Hennepin County is the lead agency for the following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement programs in suburban Hennepin County: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).  As a prerequisite to applying for HUD funds, the county is required to develop a five-year plan outlining the jurisdiction's housing and community development needs and priorities. Hennepin County’s current five-year Consolidated Plan, approved May 12, 2015 (Resolution No. 15-0162), covers funding years 2015 - 2019.

Each year the county is required to submit an Annual Action Plan, which constitutes the county’s formal application to HUD for its CDBG, HOME, and ESG allocation. The 2017 Annual Action Plan describes how the county plans to use the allocation during the program year, July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, to address the priority needs identified in the five-year Consolidated Plan.

In the CDBG Program, nine communities receive a direct allocation from the county based on the federal CDBG formula which includes population, overcrowding, and poverty.  Direct allocation communities prepare funding recommendations consistent with the allocation amount, conduct local public hearings, and submit city council-authorized funding requests to the county. The remaining 29 communities participate in a “Consolidated Pool” and compete for funding through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.  Consolidated Pool proposals are reviewed and ranked by a selection committee (consisting of city staff from various Consolidated Pool communities), which then submits funding recommendations to the county.

HOME Program funding recommendations are the result of a competitive RFP process.  Proposals are reviewed and ranked by an advisory committee consisting of Hennepin County staff and city staff from various participating communities.

ESG funding recommendations will be formulated by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD).

Public comment will be solicited on the draft 2017 Annual Action Plan for 30 days beginning March 31, 2017; during this time, the draft plan will be available at Hennepin County regional libraries and on the county's website.

The board will consider a resolution awarding 2017 HUD entitlement funds and authorizing submission of the 2017 Annual Action Plan to HUD at the May 9, 2017 County Board Meeting.

Current Request: This request is to establish a public hearing on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 1:30 p.m., in Room A-2400 of the Government Center, to obtain public comment on the 2017 Hennepin County Consortium Annual Action Plan. The Clerk of the Board will publish notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper of the county; the Community Works Department will publish notice of the public hearing in newspapers serving suburban Hennepin County and will distribute the notice to interested individuals, agencies and organizations.

Impact/Outcomes: The county is required to conduct a public hearing on the 2017 Action Plan in order to qualify for entitlement funding for the CDBG, HOME and ESG Programs.