March 26, 2014 - The City of Knoxville is in the process of developing its 2014-2015 Annual Action Plan for the proposed use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act funds during the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2014. A draft of the document will be available for public comment beginning on March 26, 2014. The final version is due to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before May 15, 2014.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, has notified the City of the amount of CDBG and HOME funds it will receive for the 2014-2015 program year. The City will receive $1,410,665 in CDBG and $795,283 in HOME funds. The City also anticipates receiving approximately $150,000 in CDBG program income and $696,000 in HOME program income. HOME funds to be reprogrammed are approximately $1,000,000. HUD has also notified the City that it will not be receiving Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for program years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.

The draft plan proposes the following allocation of funds based on estimated amounts:

CDBG: $312,133 - general program administration; $887,000 - housing programs; $331,532 - land acquisition and commercial façade improvements; $30,000 - public services, and technical assistance through subrecipients.

HOME: $149,128 - administration; $778,878 - owner-occupied rehab; $1,193,860 - rental housing rehabilitation and development; $250,000 - home buyer down payment assistance; and $119,417 - CHDO projects.

ESG: $10,117 in reprogrammed funds will support the Homelessness Management Information System. The City also has the option of making an application for Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program funds for a special economic development activity or other eligible activity. A more detailed budget is included in the draft annual plan.

The City of Knoxville encourages citizen comment on the draft plan. The plan will be posted on the City's web-site at on March 26, 2014. Copies of the plan will be located at the following locations: Community Development Department, 5th floor, City-County Bldg., 400 Main Ave.; Lawson-McGhee branch of the Knox County Public Library; the main office of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, 2247 Western Ave; East Neighborhood Center, 4200 Asheville Hwy and the South Neighborhood Center, 522 Maryville Pk. Citizens may also obtain a copy of the draft plan by calling the Community Development Department at 865-215-2120.

A public hearing on the Annual Action Plan will be held at 5:30 pm on April 8, 2014, at the Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St. Please contact our office if translation assistance is needed for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) ten days in advance. Citizens may also submit their comments via e-mail to Linda Rust at [email protected] or in writing by mail or fax to Linda Rust, City of Knoxville, Community Development Department, P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901, fax 865-215-2962 or call 865-215-2120 for additional information.

All comments must be received no later than April 25, 2014.