Chair Chassee stated that in August 2024, there was a lengthy discussion giving
direction to some of the applications and what Community Development would be
funding, which has been followed. Chair Chassee turned the meeting over to Julie
Hamlin, the Administrator of Community Development, to explain in detail. Julie
Hamlin stated this year they are completing the five-year consolidated plan process for
2025 through 2029, which will guide funding recommendations, goals, and priorities to
be addressed over the next five years. Ashley Miller, Manager of Community
Development, and her team did a tremendous job of going through the consolidated
plan process which includes quite a bit of outreach and engagement with the public, as
well as reviews of all the applications they receive. Ms. Hamlin highlighted some of the
sections they completed and then how they arrived at the priority needs which will be
reflected in their recommendations.
The Consolidated Plan has specific requirements associated with the development,
completion, and the process of attaining a list of priority needs which is directly
reflected in their recommendations. The process of gathering community feedback and
collaboration was three part; an early public hearing was held in June 2024, surveys
solicited to municipal members, non-profit agencies, townships, and park districts, and
then the community needs survey to interested parties throughout the community. The
response from the community needs assessment was 366 English responses, 21 Spanish
responses, 26 from municipal partners, and 52 responses from nonprofit agencies.
In addition to their early public hearing and the surveys, staff held focus groups for
community members, specifically within their nonprofit organizations and their
partners. Five focus groups were held at 4 different nonprofit organizations with 42
participants. In addition, a needs assessment must be completed of the County. Part of
that needs assessment is to review affordable housing that is available through the
community either rental or owned, and special needs housing, which includes
supportive housing and services for the supportive housing which were identified as
essential to prevent poverty, homelessness, or institutionalization throughout the county.
The one-night point-in-time count that took place on January 31, 2024, revealed a total
of 454 people were staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs
within DPC while 26 people were found in places not meant for human habitation. This
represented about an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. However, despite a 19%
increase in permanent supportive beds, the inventory remains insufficient to support all
the needs, and there is currently a shortfall of 427 beds. The agencies that Community
Services partners with continuously identify the lack of affordable housing throughout
the county as one of the most significant barriers to addressing homelessness.
The Community Development staff also looked at non-housing community needs which
included public facilities, parks, recreational facilities, and neighborhood facilities, and
they identified programs that serve individuals with special needs, homelessness, elderly,
domestic violence, or persons with physical or developmental disabilities.
The market analysis detailed existing conditions in the county including the number of
housing units, the cost of housing, condition of housing, lead-based paint hazards,
public and assisted housing, homeless facilities available, housing available and
services available, special needs facilities, broadband needs and housing, hazard
mitigation, and barriers to affordable housing. After taking into consideration all
collaboration and consultation, the needs assessment, and market analysis staff were
