Current Programs -- CDBG & HOME -- Planning and Community Development -- City of Great Falls, Montana

Current CDBG and HOME Programs

The City Commission prioritizes the CDBG funding annually based on community need. The 2010/2011 CDBG funding is prioritized as follows:

*	Affordable housing	27%
*	Public facilities improvements	33%
*	Public service activities	15%
*	Economic Development	5%
*	Administration	20%

HOME funding is not prioritized as the single intent of the program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in the community.

A) City Housing Programs Description

The City of Great Falls offers several programs targeted at promoting affordable housing on a citywide basis. All funds are available on a limited basis and projects are selected by a loan committee on the basis of need and benefit. Specific income guidelines apply to the housing programs. In all instances, the property must be within the city limits of Great Falls and mobile homes are not eligible.

Applications for the programs are accepted year round as funds become available. For complete details, program requirements and applications for these City-sponsored housing rehabilitation programs, see the application online version, contact the Community Development Department at (406) 455-8404, or email Rehab Specialist Bruce Haman. These programs include:

Deferred Payment Loan Program

These funds are used primarily to assist single family homeowners in the low income range to make necessary repairs to bring their homes up to code and make them safe and sanitary places to live. The applicant must own the home and have lived in it for at least one year. The funds are provided to the homeowner in the form of an interest free loan; monthly payments are required to begin being paid when the first mortgage is paid off. In addition, the full loan amount is due upon any transfer of title. The maximum loan amount is $50,000 per homeowner.

Before

After
Rental Improvement Fund Program

After

Before

These funds are used to assist property owners to make code-related repairs to rental property. Rents for rehabilitated units must be affordable to low income tenants and tenants' rents cannot increase for two years. Funds are provided to the rental property owner in the form of an interest free loan; monthly payments are required to begin being paid back as soon as the project is complete or six months after the loan is awarded, whichever comes first. The maximum loan amount is $30,000 per unit and a maximum of $100,000 is available to any one owner or group.
Water and Sewer Loan Program

Trench and pipe for a Water and Sewer Loan Program project

The objective of this program is to stabilize and improve water and sewer service lines by providing financial assistance to landlords and homeowners who own their rental and residential property.

The water/sewer program will require a re-payment to begin plus 3% interest when the project reaches substantial completion. Handicap, elderly and low income owners may be interest exempt depending on financial ability to repay. Monthly payments are due the first of each and every month.

B) Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. AKA Neighborworks Great Falls

The City has allocated CDBG and HOME funds to Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., to promote affordable housing activities within our community. This agency is using CDBG funds for purchase and rehabilitation of housing, neighborhood clean-up, and other activities which address affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Currently, HOME funds are being used to construct single family homes and to provide financial assistance to help low income first time home buyers, single heads of households, and disabled people purchase homes.

Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., also has specific income guidelines for the services they provide. Call them at (406) 761-5861 to obtain information and eligibility requirements related to the housing programs they administer.

C) Accessible Space, Inc.

The Portage

The City has allocated HOME and CDBG funds to Accessible Space, Inc., a non-profit housing agency, to assist with development of three housing complexes. Southwinds Estates (located at 1615 Oasis Court) is a 24 unit, subsidized, accessible apartment building for low income adults with severe mobility impairment, and it includes 24 hour supportive services. The Portage (located at 1521 23rd Street South) is a 48 unit accessible apartment building for the elderly and low income disabled adults. Meadow Lark Apartments, another 18 unit subsidized, accessible apartment building for low income adults with severe mobility impairments was constructed at 1701 1st Street Northwest.

D) Income Guidelines

Low income guidelines for the City's housing programs are as follows:

Size of Household	Low Income (50% MFI*)	Moderate Income (80% MFI*)
1	$19,300	$30,900
2	$22,050	$35,300
3	$24,800	$39,700
4	$27,550	$44,100
5	$29,800	$47,650
6	$32,000	$51,200
7	$34,200	$54,700
8+	$36,400	$58,250

*MFI - Median Family Income for Great Falls, May 2010

Other financial factors, such as existing assets, are also taken into consideration to determine eligibility for City housing rehabilitation programs. Contact Bruce Haman at (406) 455-8404, or email Bruce Haman, with specific program eligibility questions.

E) Public Facility and Infrastructure Improvements/ Handicap Accessibility

Gibson Park

The City uses the CDBG program to fund activities which will improve public facilities which are primarily used by low income people and to make infrastructure improvements in areas of the community which are primarily low income.

CDBG funds are provided to local non-profit agencies and other City departments to promote handicap accessibility in public buildings and parks.

Public Facility Improvement and Handicap Accessibility activities being funded in 2010/2011 include the following:

Agency	Amount
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CASCADE COUNTY—BUILDING Purchase and install energy efficient roof top heating system in building located at 600 1st Avenue Southwest which has programs to serve at-risk youth	$82,673
CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH Renovations at Langel House, a group home for adults with severely disabling mental illness, located at 1109 2nd Avenue North; renovations to include replacing soffits, fascia, metal gutter and downspouts	$6,176
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MONTANA Renovations in museum located at 22 Railroad Square to provide handicap accessible community meeting room, bathroom, storage area & kitchen area	$39,250
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—EAGLE FALLS GOLF COURSE Renovations to provide handicap accessible restrooms in public club house at Eagle Falls Golf Course located at 1025 25th Street North	$7,500
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—MORONY NATATORIUM Replace tile flooring in locker rooms and abate asbestos hazards in basement at public pool facility located at 111 12th Street North	$21,500
GREAT FALLS CITY PUBLIC WORKS—HANDICAP RAMPS Install handicap ramps (curb cuts) to provide handicap accessibility on 7th Avenue North from 9th Street to 22nd Street and other areas at request of disabled citizens	$46,715
GREAT FALLS CITY PUBLIC WORKS—SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT Grant program to provide assistance to low income homeowners to remove and replace hazardous sidewalks in Census Tract 7 and 8 (2nd Street South to 15th Street South between 1st Avenue South and 10th Avenue South) and other areas at request of low income homeowners	$47,000
GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK Upgrade to provide handicap accessible public restrooms at the facility located at 1620 12th Avenue North, project is part of an overall renovation project	$38,038
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Install sewer and water lines, excavate for foundation and install sidewalks and parking pads at 616 5th Avenue South and 1233 8th Avenue Northwest	$19,500
MONTANA HOMEOWNERSHIP NETWORK Upgrade water and sewer lines for Resident Owned Community at mobile/manufactured home park located at 3012 Lower River Road; funding contingent on obtaining other identified funding. If project does not occur, full amount to go to Senior Citizens Center for roof replacement project	$60,000
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Renovate Angel Store, a building located at 500 Central Avenue West, which houses free supplies and services for low to moderate income people; renovations to include replacing HVAC systems, store front windows and ballast and lighting system	$32,400
WHITTIER PTA Purchase and install handicap accessible playground equipment at east playground of Whittier Elementary School located at 305 8th Street North	$11,000

F) Public Services

The City uses the CDBG program to fund activities which will provide a new service or a quantifiable increase in the level of a service for low income people. CDBG funds are provided to local non-profit agencies and City departments.

Public Service activities being funded in 2010/2011 include the following:

Agency	Amount
AREA VIII AGENCY ON AGING Purchase food for Meals on Wheels, a citywide home delivery meal program for seniors who are handicapped or unable to prepare meals	$25,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CASCADE COUNTY--SCHOLARSHIPS Recreational/educational scholarships for summer program for children from low income families; programs administered at Great Falls Housing Authority (1722 Chowen Springs Loop) and Longfellow School (1100 6th Avenue South)	$34,620
CASA-CAN CHILDREN’S ADVOCATE NETWORK Purchase volunteer training materials and provide continuing education and training conference expenses to expand volunteer program located at 415 2nd Avenue North which provides advocates for abused and neglected children in the legal system	$4,600
FAMILY CONNECTIONS Provide child care scholarships for low to moderate income families; program administered through agency located at 202 2nd Avenue South	$15,000
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER Provide scholarships for low income children for lifeguard certification, after school child care program and summer camp programs offered at community center located at 801 2nd Avenue North and Morony Natatorium located at 111 12th Street North	$7,900
HANDS, INC. Provide child care scholarships for children from low income families; program offered at all Great Falls elementary schools	$29,680
PARIS GIBSON SQUARE Purchase class supplies and curriculum materials to provide art classes for people with physical disabilities at museum located at 1400 1st Avenue North	$3,500
RURAL DYNAMICS, INC. Purchase 10 laptop computers for Tax Help Montana program to provide assistance with income tax returns of primarily low to moderate income people, agency located at 2022 Central Avenue	$6,400
YOUNG PARENTS EDUCATION CENTER Provide day care scholarships and emergency housing scholarships for very low to low income teen or young adult parents completing high school or GED programs; programs located at alternative high school at 2400 Central Avenue	$20,000

G) Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District

The City has allocated CDBG funds to the Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District to extend water and sewer mains to connect the district to existing City lines. This project will be implemented in three phases over the next several years and involves a variety of funding sources.

H) Economic Development

The City Commission has allocated CDBG funds to activities which will create job opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes.

Planning and Community Development