HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter IX Strategic Plan.DOCIX. STRATEGIC PLAN
The City has chosen to develop its priorities based on the following general priority categories
which would primarily assist low-income families and individuals within the community:
Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Special Needs, Community Development, and Economic
Development. The general strategic priorities of the City's Consolidated Plan 2010 Five-Year
Strategic Plan are reflected in the following broad goals:
Provide decent housing by assisting homeless persons to obtain affordable housing;
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retaining the affordable housing stock; increasing the availability of permanent housing that is
affordable to low-income residents without discrimination; and increasing supportive housing
that includes structural features and services to enable persons with special needs to live in
dignity.
Provide a suitable living environment by improving the safety and livability of neighborhoods;
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increasing access to public facilities and services; reducing the isolation of income groups
within areas by de-concentrating housing opportunities and revitalizing deteriorating
neighborhoods; restoring and preserving natural and physical features of special value for
historic, architectural, or aesthetic reasons; and conserving energy resources.
Expand economic opportunities by creating jobs accessible to low-income persons; providing
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access to credit for community development that promotes long-term economic and social
viability; and empowering low-income persons to achieve self-sufficiency in federally-assisted
and public housing and eventually transition to private market rate housing.
The discussion of each general priority includes description of priority need categories, the basis
for assigning a priority for each goal, obstacles to meeting underserved needs, a statement of
specific objectives for each goal, and proposed (minimum) accomplishments the jurisdiction
hopes to be achieved over the five-year period of the strategy (FY 2005/06 to FY 2009/10).
A. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENTS
Geographic distribution of funding is generally predicated on the nature of the activity to be
funded. It is the City's intent to fund activities in areas most directly impacted by the needs of
low-income residents and those with other special needs. Specific distribution criteria among
priority needs are discussed below under the appropriate priority need. For a description of
specific geographic areas in which financial assistance will be directed during the 2005/06 Fiscal
Year, see the "Action Plan" chapter of this document which describes specific tactics (activities)
for addressing unmet housing and community development needs. Below is additional
discussion on the geographic distribution of investments by general priorities.
1. Affordable Housing Needs
In order to create substantive neighborhood improvements and stimulate additional,
unassisted improvement efforts, the City will focus a portion of its housing-related funding in
targeted low-income neighborhoods. Based on the widespread need for affordable housing,
however, assistance will also be available city-wide on a case-by-case basis.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-1 May 2005
2. Homelessness Needs
As agencies identify potential funding sources to address the City’s continuum of care
strategy, the City will support those projects and services without respect to the location of
the activity. Geographic distribution of funding from the City's entitlement programs will be
based solely on the location(s) identified by the individual agencies. The issue of
homelessness transcends boundaries and must be addressed accordingly.
3. Special Needs
As individuals, groups, businesses and agencies identify potential funding sources to address
the needs of this unique population, the City will support those projects. This unique
population is primarily composed of special needs of the non-homeless (or those at-risk of
becoming homeless) such as the elderly, frail elderly, severe mentally ill, developmentally
disabled, physically disabled, persons with alcohol/other drug additions, and persons with
HIV/AIDS. Geographic distribution of funding from the City's entitlement programs will be
based solely on the location(s) identified by individual applicants (i.e., non-profit agencies and
developers).
4. Community Development Needs
Distribution of funding of public improvements, public facilities and services will primarily be
within low-income neighborhoods located throughout the City. Proposed community
development needs will be addressed with municipal departments and community and faith-
based organizations on a case-by-case basis.
5. Economic Development Needs
Primary focus of economic development efforts will be in the central, southeast and east sub-
areas of the City. However, additional focus will include business districts located in qualified
low-income areas as well as industrial parks, and commercial sites in various non-low income
City locations.
B. PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING
The following discussion centers on the needs identified in the preceding sections and the
assignment of priorities to address those needs. Estimated dollars to address unmet priority
needs are reflected in Table 2B – Community Development Needs. Table 2C – summary of
Objectives, reflects specific priorities to address the needs identified for Bakersfield within the
five year period. Affordable housing and homeless needs have been assigned a relative priority,
the basis of which is briefly discussed below in the strategy section of this document. "High"
priority means that the jurisdiction and its community partners will be addressing this need by
allocating funds during the five-year period of the Strategy. "Medium" priority means if funds are
available, activities to address this need may be funded during the five-year period. "Low"
priority means no funds are intended to be allocated to projects for addressing this need during
the life of the strategy. "No such need” means that there is no need in the community or that this
need is already substantially addressed.
Because the City does not intend to fund activities rated "low" priority as stand-alone projects, no
discussion is provided in this section on those categories. However, several activities identified
as "low" priorities may be packaged together as part of a larger activity with a "high" or "medium"
priority.
A priority needs (non-relative) rating was assigned to specific needs within the special
populations (special needs), community development, and economic development general
priorities, and were identified further and discussed under the statement of specific objectives.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-2 May 2005
Some of the reasons for selecting the strategies, goals and objectives listed below for meeting
proposed housing and community development needs are based on the following factors:
Information contained in the housing and community development needs assessment of this
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document (this includes the 2000 census, special studies, and the community opinion needs
survey).
Current and projected government funding constraints.
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Influence of the housing market on government assisted programs.
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Results of consultation with residents, community stakeholders, non-profit agencies, local,
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and county agencies.
Extent to which particular housing and community development needs are expected to be
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met by other public and private organizations within the community.
Over the next five years these chosen strategies help implement the ConPlan “vision” and
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“mission” statements and benefit neighborhoods, businesses, and families.
1. General Priority - Affordable Housing
The City of Bakersfield intends to seek assistance under federal, state, and other programs
for eligible activities within the City that address affordable housing needs. An essential
component of the affordable housing strategy is to provide homeownership and rental
assistance opportunities whenever it is possible. HOME and tax increment financing are the
usual mechanisms the City uses to fund a down payment assistance program for
homebuyers as well as housing rehabilitation.
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK) will address affordable housing needs
for renters who cannot qualify for housing loans, through its Section 8 Rental Assistance
Program (certificates and vouchers) and other sources available to it.
The City's priority affordable housing needs that are available for assistance under the above
mentioned programs are identified in the Priority Needs Summary Table (Table 2A) on the
following page. The table describes the level of priority and gives an estimate of dollars
needed to address each need over a period of five years. In some cases family and income
types were grouped together for discussion where the analysis would apply to more than one
type.
i. Priority Need - Owner Occupied Housing
This need primarily pertains to rehabilitation and new construction for owner-occupied
units for extremely low, low and moderate income (LMI) households. A housing market
study of the Bakersfield area estimated that 10,324 housing units are in need of some
type of rehabilitation. Many of these units identified in the housing market study reside in
predominantly low-income neighborhoods that usually contain older housing stock in poor
condition. The Central and Southeast areas of Bakersfield consist of households having
the lowest average household income in the City. These areas also contain a significant
number of deteriorating housing units. Many of these units exhibit substantial decay
when compared to other areas of the City.
From existing real property data, it is estimated that approximately 44,384 homes may
contain the presence of lead based paint and require lead based paint hazard reduction
or abatement. Additionally, it is estimated that about 10% of the City’s population are
physically disabled individuals requiring help for mobility purposes. Housing units with
mobility barriers present a challenge to these residents. The City of Bakersfield provides
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-3 May 2005
assistance to install devices in homes to remove the barriers to mobility (for more
discussion on this see the Special Needs section of this strategy).
Because of the foregoing analysis, the owner category was given a high priority ranking
for those in the 0-30% and 31-50% of the median family income area. For those in the
51-80% this need was given a medium priority.
Possible obstacles to addressing this priority need are: equity in property, consumers'
reluctance to take on additional encumbrances of their property, bankruptcies, the high
cost of housing rehabilitation, lead based paint reduction and abatement, and
governmental constraints (e.g., building and zoning codes).
TABLE 2A
Priority Needs Summary Table
0-30% H 2251 68
Small Related 31-50% H 1548 56
51-80% H 2392 17
0-30% H 674 44
Large Related 31-50% H 463 48
Renter 51-80% M 716 35
0-30% H 674 35
Elderly 31-50% H 463 91
51-80% H 716 47
0-30% H 2251 42
All Other 31-50% H 1548 31
51-80% M 2392 15
0-30% H 1389 23
Owner 31-50% H 955 21
51-80% M 1476 16
Special Needs 0-80% H 1500 290
Total Goals 879
Total 215 Goals 589
Total 215 Renter Goals 529
Total 215 Owner Goals 60
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Rehabilitation
Continue to aggressively market the single family rehabilitation (SFR) loan program in
the City, utilizing HOME and other local funds. Depending upon the level of a
household's need, the City will make deferred loans and below market interest rate
loans available to qualifying property owners. Energy conservation, asbestos and
lead based paint removal, and historical preservation issues will be addressed in the
rehabilitation process as needed.
Proposed accomplishments include providing structural repair and essential
improvements to maintain and improve the condition of existing owner-occupied
single family units for 60 households under the SFR program.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-4
May 2005
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Acquisition/Construction
Continue to aggressively market owner-occupied new construction programs in the
City in conjunction with other homeownership programs for LMI persons. Depending
upon the level of a household's need; make deferred, forgivable, and below market
interest rate loans available to qualifying property owners, and developers.
Using HOME, state, federal and other funds proposed accomplishments include
providing funding and incentives to affordable housing developers
acquiring/constructing infill single-family homes for 50 homebuyers over a five year
period.
ii. Priority Need - Rental Housing
This need primarily pertains to rental assistance, acquisition/construction (includes down
payment assistance for homebuyers), and rehabilitation of tenant-occupied units under
four categories of resident households: small related (a household of 2 to 4 persons),
large related (a household of 5 or more persons with at least two persons related by
blood, marriage, or adoption), elderly (a household of one or two persons with at least
one who is 62 years of age), and all other (a household that does not meet the other
three resident definitions) for extremely low, low and moderate income persons.
A housing market survey of the Bakersfield area shows that approximately 55% of the
City's housing stock (93,821 residential units) is 25 years or older. Approximately 10,854
of these residential units are considered substandard or in need of repair. Lower income
households most likely reside in the older areas of the City where most of the older
substandard housing is found. These older homes also contain other housing problems
such as lead-based paint hazards, asbestos and high energy consumption. Most
problems were associated with overcrowding, due to families doubling up in units to
enable them to afford the rent. Overcrowded conditions in a unit also contribute to the
rapid deterioration of the unit.
About 640 federally assisted rental units are at-risk of conversion to market rate.
Additionally, approximately 4,159 households are on a public housing waiting list, and
about 4,577 households are on a Section 8 waiting list (see the priority need for public
and tenant based housing, regarding the need and proposed accomplishments for public
housing and rental based assistance).
Based on the above analysis a high priority need level was given to the renter housing
need for small related, large related, and all other categories - all LMI groups except for
those persons in the 51-80% median income area. The 51-80% median income group
for these residents received a medium priority. The elderly housing category received a
high priority need level for all median income groups.
Some obstacles to addressing the needs of renter substandard and overcrowded
households are access to affordable mortgage loans, poor credit, lack of a down
payment, and the cost of rehabilitating substandard housing particularly those units with
lead based paint and asbestos contamination.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Acquisition/Rehabilitation
Acquire and/or rehabilitate existing substandard large units for small, elderly, and all
other households using code enforcement and energy conservation as tools.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-5
May 2005
Additionally, acquire and rehabilitate additional large rental units, which are affordable
to large related renter households.
Using HOME, CDBG, state and local programs such as tax increment funds proposed
accomplishments include: a) benefit 15 households; b) provide mortgage down
payment assistance to benefit 50 homebuyers; and c) assist non-profit agencies such
as CHDO’s to acquire/rehabilitate housing to benefit 35 households.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Acquisition/Construction
Acquire and/or construct multi-family units for small, elderly, and all other households
using code enforcement and energy conservation as tools. Additionally, acquire
and/or construct additional large rental units, which are affordable to large related
renter households.
Using HOME, CDBG, state and local programs such as tax increment funds proposed
accomplishments include constructing multi-family units to benefit 379 households.
iii. Priority Need – Public, Tenant Based Assisted Housing, and Homeownership
This need is similar to the rental housing need but primarily pertains to the Housing
Authority of the County of Kern (HACK) responsibility for providing PHA housing and
tenant based assisted housing for four categories of resident households: small related (a
household of 2 to 4 persons); large related (a household of 5 or more persons with at
least two persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption); elderly (a household of one or
two persons with at least one who is 62 years of age); and all other (a household that
does not meet the other three resident definitions) for extremely low, low and moderate
income persons.
HACK also administers about 3,189 tenant based rental assistance (TBRA) Section 8
vouchers. They currently have a waiting list of about 4,522 households. Additionally,
between HACK’s two sponsored housing non-profit organizations, they manage
approximately 456 rental units. HACK used HUD and the State of California Tax Credit
Allocation programs to develop and acquire these properties.
Possible obstacles to addressing this need include: insufficient funding for rehabilitation,
tenant’s inability to qualify for homeownership, the high cost of replacement housing, and
governmental constraints (e.g., building and zoning codes).
a. Statement of Specific Objective – TBRA/Rehabilitation
Expand the supply of tenant based assisted housing and rehabilitate PHA rental units
in the City.
Utilizing HUD Section 8 voucher programs proposed accomplishments by HACK
include: a) provide additional TBRA to 250 households; and b) use Public Housing
Capital funds to rehabilitate rental units to benefit 200 households.
b. Statement of Specific Objective – Acquisition/Construction
Expand the supply of PHA multi-family housing in the City.
Utilizing HUD, State and other eligible programs proposed accomplishments include
construct additional rental units to benefit 100 households.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-6 May 2005
2. General Priority - Homelessness
The Kern County Homeless Collaborative was formed to establish a mechanism to address
the issues of quality supportive services to urban and rural homeless. As part of its function,
the Collaborative has prepared and updated its Continuum of Care strategy, which is a
collective effort of service providers from all areas of homeless issues. The priority needs for
the homeless were taken directly from the Continuum of Care document which covers the
City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern as a whole.
In this section on homelessness, the following strategies will be presented: a homeless
outreach and assessment strategy; a strategy for addressing emergency shelter and
transitional housing needs; and the strategy for helping homeless persons transition to
permanent housing and independent living. The strategy for preventing homelessness for
low-income families includes providing rental subsidies, child care, transportation, and
employment services, and protection under the fair housing laws to low-income families.
Each of these strategies is discussed in other sections of this plan.
The priority needs to be addressed in this section are: Assessment and Outreach;
Emergency Shelter; Transitional Housing; Permanent Supportive Housing; and Supportive
Services. All proposed accomplishments expressed in this part are over a five year period.
i. Priority Need - Assessment & Outreach
Assessment and Outreach activities are designed to engage homeless persons and
families living on the street and bring them into the system and as such, are basic
components of the various homeless service providers in the community. As a
cornerstone in the provision of supportive services to all types of homeless, a relative
priority of high was assigned to this category. An outreach and assessment strategy is
addressed below.
Some of the obstacles to meeting the assessment and outreach needs of the homeless
by service providers include a lack of and fluctuation of funding and the insufficient
capacity of service providers to meet the needs of the growing homeless population.
a. Statement of Specific Objectives - Assessment and Outreach
Support the ongoing funding of assessment and outreach activities to be provided
throughout the City.
Support the expansion and creation of additional outreach activities provided by
existing homeless and social service organizations throughout the City.
Using SHP, ESG, EHAP, and other funding sources proposed accomplishments are:
a) homeless service providers will contact and assess the needs of at least 2,500
homeless families and individuals; b) provide telephone and information referral
service to 5,000 homeless persons; and c) perform case management for an
additional 250 homeless families and individuals.
ii. Priority Need - Emergency Shelter & Services
The continued growth in the numbers of homeless individuals, families with children, as
well as those at risk of becoming homeless, has put a tremendous strain on those
agencies currently serving these populations. There is an immediate need for increased
shelter space for the general population of homeless as well as all subgroups, therefore a
relative priority of high has been assigned to this category of need. Unsheltered
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-7 May 2005
homeless who are severely mentally ill, as well as diagnosed with alcohol and/or drug
addiction are not easily accommodated in the existing shelters and there are no current
facilities dedicated to these groups. Capacity at the shelter for domestic violence
survivors is limited to 36 beds; the need far out-strips the space.
Some of the obstacles to meeting the needs of emergency shelters are the limited capital
grants available. In addition, the placement of such facilities in the community often is
incompatible with the interests of the businesses and residents of the surrounding
neighborhood.
a. Statement of Specific Objectives - Emergency Shelter & Services
Support efforts to maintain and expand existing facilities; coordinate with County of
Kern and homeless service providers to access State HCD and EHAP funds.
Support the development of additional emergency shelters for families and homeless
individuals with special needs (i.e., mentally ill, those with a dual diagnosis of
alcohol/other drug addition, victims of domestic violence).
Proposed accomplishments are: expansion of existing shelter space or development
of new shelter space to accommodate at least 50 additional individuals of family
members.
iii. Priority Need - Transitional Housing
Transitional housing is generally for a term of up to 24 months, combined with supportive
services intended to facilitate the transition of homeless individuals and families to
independent living in permanent housing. Transitional housing with supportive services is
limited within the City. Therefore a relative priority of high has been assigned to this
category.
Some of the obstacles to meeting the needs of transitional programs is the limited capital
grants available. In addition, the placement of such facilities in the community often is
incompatible with the interests of the businesses and residents of the surrounding
neighborhood.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Transitional Housing
Address this issue over the next five years through support of the expansion of
existing transitional housing programs and the creation of new ones.
Using HOME, SHP, HACK, state tax credit and other funds proposed
accomplishments are: a) develop at least 100 additional transitional housing units;
and b) assist at least 180 families or individuals per year to independent living and
appropriate permanent housing situations.
iv. Priority Need - Permanent Supportive Housing
Supportive housing projects cross the bridge between homeless and "special needs"
categories. Supportive housing is generally defined as "housing, including group quarters
that have a supportive environment and includes a planned service component."
Homeless service providers in greater Bakersfield generally agree that families and
individuals do not, for the most part, require a permanent supportive housing
environment. However, those with special needs (mental, physical, development
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-8 May 2005
disabilities, HIV/AIDS and their families, hepatitis, alcohol patients, and/or substance
abusers) may benefit from permanent affordable housing with such service components.
Currently, there are several community care facilities, group homes and other supportive
housing situations, however while the facilities might accept former homeless individuals
into their programs, the bulk of those facilities do not target special needs homeless
families and individuals. Since the majority of these facilities are regularly at capacity, the
need for additional supportive permanent housing is becoming critical.
Some obstacles to the establishment of such facilities are the lack of sufficient funding for
development, operation, and maintenance. In addition, the placement of such facilities in
the community often is incompatible with the interests of the businesses and residents of
the surrounding neighborhood.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Permanent Supportive Housing
By using HOME, SHP, HACK, and other public or private funds, support funding
efforts to increase the capacity of supportive housing projects.
Proposed accomplishment is to develop at least one permanent supportive housing
project (including SRO units) to benefit at least 25 individuals or families.
v. Priority Need - Supportive Services
Supportive Services, whether linked to a specific type of homeless housing project, or as
a stand-alone service, is the critical link to providing opportunities for homeless persons
and families to achieve their highest levels of self-sufficiency. Very few people who find
themselves in the circumstances of homelessness can regain their financial and
emotional well being with simply a place to sleep and food to eat. Those providing the
social service component are of paramount importance to the success of this Continuum
of Care System. The primary need in this category is for case management services for
both general populations and special needs groups (mentally ill, dually diagnosed, victims
of domestic violence, disabled, etc.), all types of medical and dental care, substance
abuse treatment and counseling, assistance in the accessing of services, benefit
application assistance, life skills training, budget counseling, vocational counseling, legal
services, transportation, human service referrals, follow-up, and aftercare. Supportive
services are an equally vital component to the continuum and are, therefore, considered
a high priority.
Some obstacles to achieving a full range of supportive services is the lack of funding, the
capacity of agencies to expand their services due to facility space limitations, and
coordination of services by and between service providers, while improving, still results in
duplications, overlap and gaps in service provision.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Supportive Services
Address the issue of supportive services over the next five years through support of
the expansion of existing programs and the creation of new ones.
Using SHP, HACK, and other public and private funds, proposed accomplishment is
at least 500 additional individuals and families will have access to supportive services
with the expansion of existing or development of new services for the homeless.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-9
May 2005
3. General Priority - Special Needs
The special needs group includes the elderly, frail elderly, persons with challenges
(physically and mentally, and developmentally disabled), female headed households,
persons with AIDS and related diseases, and persons with drug and/or alcohol addiction and
transitional aged youth. The needs of these groups relate to supportive housing and
services. The proposed accomplishments expressed in this section represent goals to be
achieved over a five-year period.
Suitable housing is described as housing that is affordable, with construction features that
make the unit accessible to the special needs occupant. Accessibility to social services,
specialized disability services, shopping and transportation lines is included in the definition
of suitable housing for this group.
i. Priority Need - Special Needs Facilities and Services
Special needs facilities and services include suitable housing (housing that is affordable,
with construction features that make the unit accessible to the special needs occupant),
accessibility to social services, medical services, specialized disability services, shopping
and transportation lines are included in this priority need. The insufficient supply of these
important services and suitable housing for the special needs group is the reason this
need was determined to be a priority need.
Some obstacles to meeting the special needs are funding, and in the case of HIV/AIDS,
discrimination and the inability to accurately report the extent of cases due to privacy
laws. Funding for special needs has increased over the last five years; however, the
need continues to exceed available funds. The planning time frame for proposed
accomplishments is over a five-year period.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Elderly and Frail Elderly
The objectives are to support the development of housing and support the
development of “rest and recovery” SRO units for homeless persons who are
recovering from illness and needing additional recovery time after hospital discharge.
Proposed accomplishments include, utilizing state tax credits, housing set-aside
redevelopment funds, HOME funds, and other funds: a) develop or support the
development of 100 new affordable and suitable units for elderly and frail elderly; and
b) support the development of at least 15 “rest and recovery” SRO units.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Severe Mental Illness
The objectives are primarily to support the development of affordable, regular
community housing for this population that is provided in conjunction with supported
living services, and maximizes their integration into the community. Needs
Assessment: increase the collaboration between mental health system and
public/private housing developers.
Proposed accomplishments include utilizing SHP, ESG, EHAP, HOME, State, and
private funds: support the development of facilities and/or homes to provide 50
additional beds for the severe mentally ill.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-10 May 2005
c. Statement of Specific Objective - Developmentally Disabled
The objectives are to support the development (new construction or conversion) of
least-restrictive and affordable housing for developmentally disabled persons and
support the expansion of services to developmentally disabled persons.
Proposed accomplishments include utilizing HOME funds and tax credits; to support
the development of least-restrictive housing and home ownership for 50
developmentally disabled persons.
d. Statement of Specific Objective - Physically Disabled
The objectives are to support the development of housing adaptable to the needs of
physically disabled persons; modify housing to meet the needs of physically disabled;
support home care services to physically disabled persons.
Proposed accomplishments are to utilize HOME, CDBG, state, private, and other
federal funds to: a) support the development of 15 accessible housing units; and b)
modify 100 existing housing units for physically disabled persons.
e. Statement of Specific Objective - Persons with Alcohol/Other Drug
Addictions
The objectives are to seek private foundation and federal funds to support the
increase of the number of detox beds, affordable treatment and recovery beds,
including dual diagnosis.
Proposed accomplishment is to increase number of beds available to persons with
drug and alcohol additions by 20 beds utilizing SHP, ESG, private, and other funds.
f. Statement of Specific Objective - Persons with HIV/AIDS
The objectives are to support the development of affordable housing options for
persons with HIV and AIDS and to continue working with agencies concerned with the
special needs of HIV/AIDS infected persons.
Proposed accomplishments are to support the development of 40 additional units of
housing (SRO’s, group homes, independent living settings, etc.) including scattered
site integrated housing for persons with HIV/AIDS and related diseases, utilizing
HOME, SHP, HACK, federal, state, and private funds.
g. Statement of Specific Objective - Single Headed Households
The objectives are to support affordable housing options and housing subsidies for
single-headed households and to support the development of affordable child care
services, which are important to allow single/female heads of households the
opportunity to seek employment and/or training.
Proposed accomplishments are: a) support the use of HOME, redevelopment funds,
state tax credits, and other funding to provide 50 affordable housing units for single-
headed households; and b) utilize HACK Section 8 vouchers to subsidize rent for 50
single headed households.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-11 May 2005
h. Statement of Specific Objective - Persons Leaving Child Protection System
Support the development of group homes and/or SRO facilities for children leaving
group home settings under the protective services umbrella, but still in need of
housing, counseling in life skills, and job placement services.
Proposed accomplishments are to support the development of housing such as group
homes and/or SRO’s to accommodate 10 persons leaving the child protection system,
utilizing HOME, SHP, private and other funds.
4. General Priority - Community Development
The City of Bakersfield intends to seek assistance under federal, state, and local programs
for eligible activities within the City that address community development needs. A
comprehensive description and assessment of these needs are located in Chapter VIII -
Community and Economic Development Needs. The City's priority community development
needs eligible for assistance under HUD's community development programs are identified in
the Priority Community Development Needs Table 2B on the following page. The table
outlines the priority needs in the community and the estimated dollars to address the needs.
In those instances where the analysis would apply to more than one priority need that had
the same priority and addressed similar needs, a category of priority needs was identified
and grouped together for ease of discussion and analysis.
Table 2 B
Community Development Needs
Priority Need
Unmet Dollars to Address
Level
PRIORITY COMMUNITY Priority Unmet Goals
High, Medium, Low,
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS Need Priority Need
No Such Need
PUBLIC FACILITY NEEDS
(projects)
Senior Centers $10 million
Handicapped Centers $40 million
Homeless Facilities $23 million
Youth Centers $45 million
Child Care Centers $65 million
Health Facilities $14 million
Neighborhood Facilities $20 million
Parks and/or Recreation Facilities $84 million
Parking Facilities $100 million
Non-Residential Historic Preservation $3 million
Other Public Facility Needs $415 million
INFRASTRUCTURE
(projects)
Water/Sewer Improvements $65 million
Street Improvements $169 million
Sidewalks $671,000.00
Solid Waste Disposal Improvements $500,000.00
Flood Drain Improvements $16.7 million
Other Infrastructure Needs $211 million
PUBLIC SERVICE NEEDS
(people)
Senior Services $40 million
Handicapped Services $12 million
Youth Services $75 million
Child Care Services $1.5 million
Transportation Services $12 million
Substance Abuse Services $180 million
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-12 May 2005
Priority Need
Unmet Dollars to Address
Level
PRIORITY COMMUNITY Priority Unmet Goals
High, Medium, Low,
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS Need Priority Need
No Such Need
Employment Training $160 million
Health Services $425 million
Lead Hazard Screening 1.7 million
Crime Awareness $13.2 million
Other Public Service Needs $248 million
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED Assistance to For-Profits(businesses) 38,500,000
ED Technical Assistance(businesses) 1,760,000
Micro-Enterprise Assistance(businesses) 2,062,500
Rehab; Publicly- or Privately-Owned 38,500,000
Commercial/Industrial (projects)
C/I* Infrastructure Development (projects) 10,450,000
Other C/I* Improvements(projects) 9,900,000
PLANNING
Planning $10,000
TOTAL ESTIMATED DOLLARS NEEDED
:
$2.65 Billion
* Commercial or Industrial Improvements by Grantee or Non-profit 12/7/04
i. Priority Need- Public Facilities and Services
The ConPlan and United Way needs assessments and the ConPlan 2005 needs
assessment identified gaps in public/private facilities and services, making it necessary to
include these items as priority needs for the community. The following items are
identified as priorities: 1) child care centers and services for parents, as well as providers,
2) community health care facilities and services, 3) neighborhood facilities, 4) affordable
and available specialized transportation services for senior citizens and disabled persons,
5) youth centers and services, 6) non-housing historic preservation, and 7) other public
facilities and services (crime prevention, employment services, senior transportation
services, etc.).
Obstacles to providing these services include: the needs exceed available funding to
address crime prevention, transportation services, youth, senior citizen and health care
services; the difficulty in accessing needed technical and business organization
assistance and funds, in the case of child care providers; and access to information and
training for employment services.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Child Care Centers/Services
Long term objective is to provide affordable and safe child care for the children in
metropolitan-Bakersfield who need supervision/care while parents are at work.
Support the inclusion of childcare centers in new development reviews by planning
department.
Short term objective is to support the development of a special loan fund to assist in
start up and expansion of licensed family daycare homes and facilities and/or to
support the development of after hours licensed childcare facilities.
The proposed accomplishment is to utilize Department of Education, DHS, and other
public and private funds to assist in the development of three licensed childcare
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-13 May 2005
centers/facilities. The outcome is to provide safe and affordable childcare for 1,200
children and/or 40 families.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Health Facilities and Services
Long term objective is to support the development of more affordable and available
health services to low-income persons in areas of Bakersfield where the need is
great, but access is limited; particularly south and east Bakersfield.
Short term objective is to expand affordable health care options to children and low
income families with children.
Proposed accomplishment is to utilize ESG, FEMA, and other funds to provide health
and referral services for 2,500 individuals and families.
c. Statement of Specific Objective - Neighborhood Facilities
Long term objective is to support the development of a neighborhood facility to
provide health care, child care, recreational and other services in low income areas.
Short term objective is to provide technical support to non-profit organizations; identify
funding sources and collaborate with neighborhood groups to establish a multi-
purpose center for low-income neighborhoods in Bakersfield.
Proposed accomplishment is to use CDBG, DHS, State Recreation funding,
Department of Justice and other federal, state and private funds to support the
development of one neighborhood community center in low-income targeted areas
within Bakersfield..
d. Statement of Specific Objective - Senior Centers/Services
Long term objective is to support the development of emergency shelter for victims of
elder abuse; support programs to protect senior citizens from financial predators.
Short term objective is to support the expansion of services offered to seniors in a
centralized location for easier access.
Proposed accomplishments are: a) utilize funding (i.e., Human Services, FEMA,
SHP) available to continue and expand senior services; provide emergency shelter for
50 elder abuse victims; and b) provide education and protection for 500 seniors, from
financial crimes and identity theft.
e. Statement of Specific Objectives - Youth Centers/Services
Long term objectives are to support expansion of existing youth centers and programs
(summer and after-school activities, youth sports, family and health related services);
and with cooperation of schools, support the development of new centers in under-
served areas of Bakersfield.
Short term objective is to support the expansion of activities in neighborhood youth
centers.
Proposed accomplishments are to utilize CDBG funds, state and federal recreation
funds, private donations, and law enforcement funds to assist in the
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-14
May 2005
acquisition/rehabilitation or construction of one youth center in Bakersfield; and
expand services and programs to at-risk low-income youth.
f. Statement of Specific Objective - Other Public and Private
Facilities/Services/Programs
Other Public and Private Facilities/Services covers the cleanup of contaminated sites,
commercial rehabilitation, residential property maintenance and energy efficient
upgrades, historic preservation of commercial and residential buildings, asbestos
removal, nonprofit capacity building and lead-based paint hazard reductions. This
objective also includes fair housing counseling, and employment training. These items
have been determined as needs in the community and substantial funds are required
to address the needs. Long term objectives may take longer to address than the five
year period covered by this plan, while there is an expectation to address the short
term objective during the five year period of the consolidated plan.
The long term objective is to support cleanup of contaminated sites, educate the
public about graffiti prevention, promote the preservation of historic properties,
encourage energy efficiency, and testing of LBP contaminated sites.
The short term objective is to support nonprofit capacity building cleanup of
contaminated sites throughout Bakersfield.
Proposed accomplishments are to utilize CDBG, Environmental Protection Agency,
Department of Justice, Department of Energy, and other public and private funds to:
a) remove 2 million square feet of graffiti; b) substance abuse education for 3,000
school children; c) provide assistance in lead based paint hazard testing/mitigation for
20 residential buildings; d) provide energy conservation retrofits for 25 businesses; e)
provide assistance for code enforcement inspection and/or clearance and demolition
of 10 buildings; and f) provide loans to clean up 5 contaminated sites.
g. Statement of Specific Objective - Nonprofit Capacity Building
Nonprofit organizations generally exist to provide services to communities that in
many ways go unmet due to the high cost of delivering the service and low rate of
return on investment. Capacity building for non-profits consists of activities that
strengthen and help organizations carry out valid neighborhood revitalization or
economic development activities. Capacity building includes technical assistance and
specialized training of Boards, and staff; developing business and strategic plans.
The long term objective is to work with the Alliance for Nonprofit Development in
providing resources and capacity building services to ensure continuity and of service
to the residents of Bakersfield.
The short term objective is to work directly with a local nonprofit organization to
improve performance in delivery of services to the Bakersfield community.
Proposed accomplishments include: a) working with the executive director and board
of a local nonprofit to build its service delivery capacity; b) supporting efforts of groups
seeking to access funding for nonprofit staff development in the Bakersfield
Community; and c) stabilizing one nonprofit in the community that delivers a viable
service to residents.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-15 May 2005
ii. Priority Need - Infrastructure Improvement
This need pertains to the following types of public improvement priority needs which are
typically tied to area of benefit: water/private utility improvements, street/sidewalk
improvements, sewer improvements, flood drain improvements, parking improvements,
solid waste improvements, neighborhood parks and recreation improvements, and other
infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure improvements were selected as a priority
community development need.
The basis for assigning a priority rating for the above mentioned public improvements is
derived from the needs assessment which identifies that economically depressed areas
are under served in basic infrastructure improvements. Examples include lack of
adequate roadway facilities and amenities to serve existing and future residents (e.g.,
annexations of low-income County areas), and deteriorated/substandard infrastructure
such as streets/alleys, water lines/fire hydrants, street lighting, sewer lines, landscaping,
and sidewalks. Another example is the lack of infrastructure in certain low-income areas
such as curb and gutters, drainage facilities, wastewater improvements, and automated
trash removal services.
Some of the obstacles to meeting unmet public improvement needs include lack of
sufficient capital improvement funds to meet rising construction costs; annexation of large
low-income County areas that do not meet City standards for provision of adequate
street, water, sewer, fire, and drainage, and trash/removal services; and lack of a master
drainage plan to guide City-wide drainage improvement efforts.
a. Statement of Specific Objective- Water/Private Utility Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of water and private utility improvements for economically depressed
areas within the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for replaced and new water/public utility
lines for residents of low-income neighborhoods in order to furnish minimum fire
fighting flows per City standards.
Using CDBG and private utility funds proposed accomplishments include funding
activities in low-income neighborhoods that will provide approximately 1,000 l.f. of
piping and related appurtenant improvements to replace and upgrade water main
systems.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Street/Sidewalk Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of street/sidewalk improvements for economically depressed areas
within the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for replaced and new street/sidewalk
improvements for residents of low-income neighborhoods in order to obtain minimum
City standards.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-16 May 2005
Using CDBG funds proposed accomplishments include funding activities in low-
income and blighted neighborhoods that will provide 25,000 l.f. of street
reconstruction; approximately 10,000 l.f. of streetscaping and landscaping;
reconstruction of about 25,000 sq. ft. of deteriorated sidewalk; and installation of 25
street lighting upgrades to benefit 2,000 people.
c. Statement of Specific Objective - Sewer Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of sewer improvements for economically depressed areas within the
City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for sewer improvements for residents of
low-income neighborhoods in order to obtain minimum City sewer standards by
eliminating old septic sewer systems.
Using CDBG and other funds proposed accomplishments include funding activities in
low-income neighborhoods that will provide sewer lines for approximately 50 homes
(which are now served by septic sewage systems).
d. Statement of Specific Objective- Flood Drain Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of flood drain improvements for economically depressed areas within
the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for flood drain improvements for
residents of low-income neighborhoods in order to better protect their property from
water drainage.
Using CDBG and other funds proposed accomplishments include funding activities in
low-income neighborhoods that will provide approximately 30,000 l.f. of curbs and
gutters and underground storm drainage lines.
e. Statement of Specific Objective- Parking Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of parking improvements for economically depressed areas within the
City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance to reduce blight in the downtown
commercial core by providing off street parking for customers.
Using CDBG funds, redevelopment funds, and other funding proposed
accomplishments include financing activities in blighted areas that will provide 100
parking spaces to benefit 100 drivers.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-17 May 2005
f. Statement of Specific Objective - Solid Waste Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of solid waste improvements for economically depressed areas within
the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for solid waste collection and disposal
services improvements for residents of low-income neighborhoods in order to obtain
minimum City standards.
Using refuse and CDBG funds proposed accomplishments include solid waste
collection and disposal services and improvements of up to 1,825 Ibs per capita/day
to benefit approximately 100 residents.
g. Statement of Specific Objective - Other Infrastructure Improvements
Short-term objective is to provide technical assistance, as needed, to capital
improvement program related municipal departments and outside agencies in data
gathering, analysis, and the identification of actions that will facilitate the
implementation of other infrastructure (i.e. fire facilities and related equipment, and
parks and recreational facilities) improvements for economically depressed areas
within the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for other infrastructure improvements for
residents of low-income neighborhoods in order to obtain minimum City fire protection
standards.
Using CDBG and other funds proposed accomplishments include funding activities in
low-income neighborhoods that will provide fire facilities and equipment related
improvements to approximately 18,000 people, and construction of up to 5 community
parks/recreational facilities.
iii. Priority Need - Anti-Crime Programs
This need addresses crime awareness, prevention programs, and the reduction of crime
particularly in low-income areas.
Based on statistics reported by the Bakersfield Police, the overall crime rate has
increased by about 4% over the last five years. Aggravated assault saw a 46% increase
from 2002 to 2003, but other violent crimes against persons: homicide, rape and robbery
remained the same or decreased. A 50% increase of larceny, which includes identity
theft and financial crimes against the elderly, was reported from 2002 to 2003. During the
same time period BPD reports a 30% increase in auto theft and a 10% increase in
burglaries.
Some obstacles to addressing the need to reduce crime and its effect on the citizenry,
include lack of funding to place law enforcement personnel in crime impacted areas in
sufficient numbers, the reluctance of community residents to report crime for fear of
reprisals, and the mistrust of the law enforcement establishment on the part of ethnic
groups in the low-income communities.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-18
May 2005
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Crime Prevention/Awareness
Long term objective is to provide funding for increased policing services in high crime
low-income areas. In addition to increased policing services, a long term objective is
to acquire additional funding for programs to guide at-risk youth away from a cycle of
crime and delinquency.
Short term objective is to support crime prevention and awareness activities through
Police Activities League (PAL), Weed and Seed Programs, and Kern County
Superintendent of Schools programs directed towards “at-risk” and “high-risk”
children; Support the education of senior citizens toward prevention of financial
crimes and identity theft.
Proposed accomplishment is to use CDBG, Department of Justice, and other private
and public funds to provide assistance to crime awareness programs in the Southeast
that will benefit about 25,000 residents. Support the PAL Program be benefiting
2,500 at-risk children, and support the education of 450 seniors regarding identity
theft and fraud.
iv. Priority Need – Planning
This need encompasses the preparation of demographic studies, project analysis,
community plans, urban design, analysis of impediments to fair housing choice, and
policy-planning-management-capacity building activities. Planning will allow staff to
determine neighborhood needs and priorities, develop strategies for implementing
community economic development programs, evaluate goals, and provide coordination
and monitoring of activities. This priority is important for it allows the grantee (or that of
its subrecipients) to plan and manage programs and activities for housing and community
development programs. Planning was selected as a priority community development
need.
The basis for assigning a priority rating for this goal is due to HUD's holistic approach to
sustainable, viable communities which requires comprehensive planning by localities.
The consolidated planning requirements create a high need for jurisdictions to focus on
building databases, developing needs assessments, and providing strategic planning and
urban design to promote viable communities. As identified earlier in this document,
jurisdictions receiving formula CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds need to consult
with other agencies, groups, and citizens for determining the best uses of the mentioned
funds and present an effective plan for doing so. This requirement creates a need for
planning in order to access future federal funds and promote HUD's concepts of
community viability and sustainable community development.
Some of the obstacles in meeting this priority are lack of planning tools on an
interagency basis to ensure consistent development standards for sustaining viable
communities, multilingual neighborhoods that warrant diverse public participation
mechanisms, and a multiplicity of community planning rules and regulations (federal,
state, and local).
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Planningand Capacity Building
Short-term objective is to implement the strategic and action plan components of the
ConPlan including a comprehensive review and analysis of 2000 census data for
qualifying low-income areas.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-19 May 2005
Long-term objective is to explore the feasibility of developing neighborhood
revitalization strategies that includes the economic empowerment of low-income
residents through such federal initiatives as the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise
Community initiative, and Economic Development initiative (these initiatives allow
communities to access funds to undertake commercial, industrial, and neighborhood
development projects).
Another long-term objective is to develop a participatory relationship with
neighborhood associations and collaboratives within metropolitan Bakersfield that are
involved in addressing common community problems such as child care, public
health, crime, graffiti, affordable housing, and economic opportunities.
Using CDBG funds, proposed accomplishments include completing and amending a
HUD approved ConPlan, submitting an Annual Action Plan for fiscal years FY
2005/06 to FY 2009/10, providing up to 4 general capacity building workshops; and
preparing up to 5 specialized reports and studies as needed.
v. Priority Need - Historic Preservation
This need involves linking CDBG objectives with historic preservation of residential and
non-residential buildings that contain architectural, cultural, and historical value and
heritage within the City. There are approximately twelve buildings designated as cultural
resources by the City. The City's ordinance (Chapter 15.70) deals with historic
preservation and historic district designation. Even though the City has a mechanism in
place to promote the safeguard of historic places, and programs through housing
rehabilitation act to preserve historic buildings, this need was selected as a priority
community development need.
Some of the obstacles include a long protracted process in obtaining historic designation
at the federal level and receiving historical designation interest from property owners.
a. Statement of Objective - Residential and/or Nonresidential Preservation
Short-term objective is to assist the Historic Preservation Committee in identifying
cultural resources throughout the City.
Long-term is to preserve historic buildings/landmarks when feasible.
Using CDBG, HOME, and/or other funding sources, proposed accomplishments
include preserving one historic building/landmark by providing assistance for
designation and/or acquisition/renovation.
vi. Priority Need - Fair Housing
This need involves the affirmatively furthering of fair housing by fostering effective
strategies and actions that mitigate or eliminate impediments that restrict housing choice,
or the availability of housing based on gender, disability, religion, race, color, national
origin, or the presence of children in the family. Based on assessments and audits
conducted by outside consultants, there are still impediments to fair housing and
consequently this need was selected as a priority community development need.
The basis for this priority is supported by federal law that requires jurisdictions to certify
that they are affirmatively furthering fair housing in order to receive federal funds. In
addition, State law also makes it illegal to discriminate in housing (state protected classes
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-20 May 2005
also include sexual orientation, marital status, age, and income source) and is enforced
by the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
An analysis of impediments was conducted in January 2005. This study reported the
following as impediments to fair housing choice: lack of knowledge about fair housing and
discriminatory attitudes. To the extent applicable to the City of Bakersfield, all of the
recommendations in the study will be implemented as outlined in the ConPlan 2010.
The objectives of the City of Bakersfield's Fair Housing Program are to increase the
overall level of fair housing law knowledge to all community residents and housing
providers, to provide a detailed level of training to the housing industry professionals, to
engage in fair housing law compliance activities, and to provide accessible information of
fair housing law.
Some obstacles in meeting the objectives for fair housing are the lack of education and
public awareness regarding fair housing rights. A lack of informational training on behalf
of the housing provider in fair housing laws and responsibilities is also an obstacle. Other
obstacles include the difficulty in testing for disparate or unequal treatment among
protected classes and a lack of direction or guidance of where to turn when fair housing
issues arise. Lastly, a lack of cooperation from organizational groups or associations in
the housing industry can also act as an obstacle to furthering fair housing choice.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Education & Outreach
Short term objectives are to: attend and participate in City sponsored and other pubic
events throughout the City of Bakersfield, distributing publications and written material
on fair housing and fair lending rights and participate in the annual Association of the
Board of Realtors Fair Housing Arts Contest.
Long term objectives are to increase the overall level of fair housing law knowledge to
all community residents in both the private and public sectors within the City of
Bakersfield so as to inform housing consumers and providers of their rights and
responsibilities, temper discriminatory attitudes, improve lending opportunities to
potential housing loan consumers, and promote fair housing choice among residents
of publicly owned and publicly assisted housing.
Using non-HUD funds, proposed accomplishments include distributing 1,500 fair
housing brochures and other related written materials by mail and City sponsored
public events throughout the life of the Con Plan 2010. Accomplishments include:
providing annual assistance to the Association of the Board of Realtors in
coordinating the annual Fair Housing Arts Contest and distributing about 60 fair
housing brochures to HACK.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Technical Training
Short term objectives are to schedule and prepare for the workshops, presentations,
and training offered to various different agencies and groups.
Long term objectives are to provide a detailed level of training in fair housing law and
practical applications to housing industry professionals and housing advocates as well
as protected class organizations, which will significantly raise the overall knowledge of
fair housing laws, temper discriminatory attitudes and promote fair housing choice.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-21
May 2005
Using local funds, proposed accomplishments include prepare and present seminars
on a bi-annual basis to non-profit agencies and consumer groups. Additionally,
accomplishments included: in conjunction with California Department of Fair
Employment and Housing, conduct fair housing workshops for housing providers who
are parties to settlement agreements and provide housing provider associations and
individual housing providers with 3 annual workshops to educate the disabled
community and real estate professionals.
c. Statement of Specific Objective - Fair Housing Law Compliance
Short term objectives are to process all complaints where callers articulate a basis of
illegal housing discrimination and when appropriate, provide fair housing paired
testing of fair housing law violations.
Long term objectives are to engage in compliance activities giving housing consumers
and housing providers a forum to resolve housing discrimination concerns and
allegations.
Using local funds, proposed accomplishments include investigating all formal housing
discrimination complaints received by the Fair Housing Program and making
appropriate referrals to enforcement agencies after a determination of sufficient
validity of the complaint has been confirmed. Additionally: a) conduct investigational
testing of fair housing discrimination complaints as needed; b) provide mediation
services to complainants and respondents in all formal housing discrimination cases
undertaken by the Program, with a resolution goal of 5% of all filed cases; and c)
conduct 5 investigational testing of fair housing discrimination complaints.
d. Statement of Specific Objective - Fair Housing Counseling
Short term objectives are to provide accurate and timely response to the City of
Bakersfield’s 24-hour discrimination hotline callers and answer the concerns of walk-
in traffic regarding fair housing issues.
Long term objectives are to provide accessible information on fair housing law and
related matters, either by phone or in person, thereby facilitating the complaint intake
process and ensuring adequate compliance of fair housing laws and promoting the
enforcement of valid fair housing discrimination complaints.
Proposed accomplishments are to use local funds to provide information and referral
services to approximately 1,200 housing consumers and housing providers per year
via the City of Bakersfield’s 24 hour discrimination hotline. Additionally, provide
substantial services in fair housing counseling to approximately 100 households in
response to alleged housing discrimination.
5. General Priority - Economic Development
The City of Bakersfield intends to seek assistance under federal, state and local programs for
eligible activities within the City that address economic development needs. Particularly, the
City desires to expand economic opportunities by creating or retaining jobs accessible to low-
income persons; empower low-income persons to achieve self-sufficiency in federally-
assisted and public housing; and provide residents access to credit for community economic
development that promotes long-term economic and social viability.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-22 May 2005
A comprehensive description and assessment of economic development needs is located in
Chapter VIII - Community and Economic Development Needs. The City's economic
development needs eligible for assistance under HUD's community development programs,
are generally identified in the Community Development Needs Table 2B. The table outlines
the priority economic development needs and the estimated dollars to address the needs. In
those instances where the analysis would apply to more than one priority need that had the
same priority and addressed similar needs, a category of priority needs was identified and
grouped together for ease of discussion and analysis. For purposes of discussion short-term
means one to two years, and long-term means three to five years.
The strategy for this general priority involves focusing on business
expansion/attraction/retention by using a cluster-based economic strategy that promotes
employment to low-income residents for eligible economic development needs such as
commercial/industrial rehabilitation and acquisition, job creation/retention, small business
development and support services, direct financial assistance/technical assistance, clearance
and demolition, and micro enterprise assistance.
In conjunction with the cluster-based economic development effort, the overall strategy will
also look at facilitating an educated, skilled workforce, available financing mechanisms,
affordable and infrastructure ready sites, and a coordinated approach to permit processing
(TeamBakersfield). The City's economic development efforts will also continue to focus on
building collaborations and partnerships with other economic opportunity organizations and
agencies such as the County's Employers' Training Resource (ETR) and Human Services
Departments, Small Business Development Center, Mid State Development Corporation,
Kern Economic Development Corporation, HACK, State of California Economic Development
Department, and the Community Action Partnership of Kern County (CAP of Kern).
The City desires to partner with agencies responsible for implementing the CalWorks Service
Delivery Model (Kern Works Partnership) and the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 which formulated the program known as the
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Since these programs began welfare
reform has prompted more recipients to become more active in seeking employment and to
strive for self-sufficiency. Since welfare benefits are typically time limited and are closely tied
to work requirements, program participants have gradually moved into the labor force. The
primary county agency responsible for the Cal-works program is the Department of Human
Services (DHS). The CalWorks budget for the County is generally $150 million+. Other
partnering agencies include ETR, Kern County Mental Health System of Care, Kern County
Superintendent of Schools, California Employment Development Department, and the
County Probation Department. The City desires to partner with the County and community
agencies to facilitate the necessary job training needed by our young persons and
unemployed adults to obtain gainful employment and self-sufficiency.
In addition to the CalWorks program, the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) plays an
important part in local economic development. The mission is to develop job opportunities, a
qualified workforce, training and education that lead to employment." The WIB vision is "to
provide all people access and opportunities through workforce development."
Employers' Training Resource (ETR) currently administers the Workforce Investment Act for
Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties. ETR, a department of the County of Kern, will provide staff
services to the Kern, Inyo and Mono Workforce Investment Board to provide policy guidance
for the local system. The Kern County Board of Supervisors serves as the Chief Local
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-23
May 2005
Elected Official for the three county consortiums and provides the administrative structure
and oversight.
The On-The-Job Training program from ETR offers employers up to 50% reimbursement of
trainees’ wages during their training. This incentive to employers will increase employment,
promote job retention, and provide occupational skills while improving the quality of the
workforce. The local plan from ETR incorporates new requirements of the WIA, including the
Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and the use of Individual Training Accounts (ITAs). It
builds on the foundation of work that insures accountability at the local level. In addition, this
area has a One-Stop Career Center System, known as the Career Services Center System
that provides comprehensive information and services; and active School-to-Career
partnership; and numerous regional partnerships.
Consistent with the requirements of WIA, the current One-Stop Career Services Center
system integrates partnerships with state, county and local education agencies, training
providers, community-based organizations and private contractors. The system delivers a full
array of services to employers, job and training seekers, youth, Unemployment Insurance
(UI) claimants, veterans, migrant and seasonal farm workers, Welfare-to-Work participants,
CalWorks recipients and the general public. Through the one-stop system, job seeker
services include job search assistance, job placement services, labor market information,
training programs and career development to name a few.
ETR is also committed to creating new linkages and reinforcing existing ones that coordinate
local youth programs in order to maximize resources. Other County programs offered include
the Welfare to Work Tax Credit (WWTC) - Federal tax credit up to $8,500 per individual over
two years for hiring qualified long-term public assistance recipients; and the Work
Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) - Federal tax credit up to $2,400 per individual based on
qualified first year earned wages. Linkages between ETR and appropriate agencies normally
consist of written operational agreements which enhance the quality and quantity of services
provided within the Local Workforce Investment Area.
Lastly, the City will continue operating the State Enterprise Zone (EZ) within metropolitan
Bakersfield and will be coordinating these voucher/training efforts with the County. This will
enhance the City’s ability to offer more employer tax incentives to prospective businesses.
The continued operation of the EZ allows the City and County to offer a more competitive
business environment and help provide job opportunities for clients of the WIA and CalWorks
programs, as well as other underserved residents. A flowchart identifying the EZ vouchering
process and a table identifying metro Bakersfield economic development assistance
programs follows this section.
i. Priority Need - Economic Opportunity
This need encompasses the following types of economic development priority needs
which are typically tied to job creation and/or retention: direct financial assistance,
commercial-industrial rehabilitation or acquisition, commercial-industrial infrastructure,
micro-business, technical and/or business assistance, acquisition/clearance, family self-
sufficiency and employment training. All of these needs were selected as priority
community economic development needs.
The basis for assigning a priority rating for these needs is due to many factors. One of
these factors includes an 8.8% Bakersfield unemployment rate (as defined by the
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-24 May 2005
California Employment Development Department) as of November 2004, representing an
increase of 1.1% from 7.7% in November of 1999.
Another factor is rising operational costs. According to the economic and research firm
Economy.com, business costs are 17% higher on average in California than in the rest of
the country, second only to Massachusetts. The high costs for operating a business and
the technology slowdown in California have contributed to the rise in unemployment
rates.
Additionally, according to the FY 2003-04 WIA State of the Workforce Report, the size
and skill of the existing workforce generally meets the demands of existing employers.
However, there is a growing gap between qualified job seekers and the demand in the
medical, technology and trade sectors; and that the general product of our educational
system may not be currently suited to meet future skilled job needs in certain medical,
trade and professional sectors.
In summary, some of the obstacles to meeting identified economic development needs
include rising interest rates, lack of affordable financing, costly regulatory requirements,
lack of employable skills by workers, and lack of technical assistance for start-ups.
a. Statement of Specific Objective - Direct Financial Assistance
Short-term objective is to provide permit coordinated processing (i.e,
TeamBakersfield) and technical assistance to eligible firms interested in locating
within the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance to eligible businesses and micro-
enterprises in the following types of activities: acquisition of real property; land (site)
and building improvements; rehabilitation of commercial-industrial buildings (including
exterior/facade); purchase or installation of real property equipment; start-up (pre-
development) costs; and business support services.
Using CDBG and other funding sources proposed accomplishments include creating
or retaining a minimum of 100 jobs in the next five years that will be filled by residents
from low-income families.
b. Statement of Specific Objective - Employment Marketing/Training
Short-term objective is to provide assistance that will assist in marketing and technical
assistance to eligible firms interested in locating in the Enterprise Zone within the City.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance that will allow the acquisition,
construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public improvements to
address deficiencies in low-income and blighted areas concerning infrastructure.
Using CDBG and other funding sources provide assistance. Proposed
accomplishments include job development, marketing, and/or employment training
services that will: 1) assist at least 10 businesses; and 2) benefit 100 unemployed
adult workers.
c. Statement of Specific Objective - Family Self Sufficiency/Resident Services
Short-term objective is to provide supportive services to HACK and CalWorks
recipients and at-risk youth to improve their employability.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-25 May 2005
Long-term objective is to move low income families and individuals to self-sufficiency
and employment.
Proposed accomplishments include County of Kern, HACK, CAP, and other
community based development organizations to use various funding sources to: 1)
increase the percentage of employed persons in PHA assisted families by 10%; and
2) facilitate the employment of 2,000 persons in the CalWorks program.
d. Statement of Specific Objective - Special Economic Development Activities
Short-term objective is to work with the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency and
community based development organizations for exploring the feasibility of revitalizing
slum and blighted areas.
Long-term objective is to provide assistance for commercial and industrial related
improvements, and clearance and demolition in targeted areas to primarily benefit
low-income neighborhoods.
Using CDBG financing and other funds proposed accomplishments include
acquiring/clearing properties of deteriorated, blighted residential, commercial, or
industrial buildings and/or constructing or rehabilitating structures to benefit at least 5
commercial structures and create at least 25 jobs for low-income persons.
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City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-26
May 2005
C. BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The purpose of this section is to analyze potential and actual governmental and non-
governmental constraints and barriers on the maintenance, improvement, and development of
affordable housing in the City of Bakersfield.
Constraints to the provision of adequate and affordable housing are posed by both market
conditions and governmental factors. These constraints may result in housing that is not
affordable to lower income households or may render residential construction economically
infeasible for developers. Constraints to housing production significantly impact households with
lower incomes and special needs.
The following section describes whether the cost of housing or the incentives to develop,
maintain, or improve affordable housing in the City are affected by public and tax policies. This
section also describes the City's strategy to remove or ameliorate negative effects of these
policies that potentially serve as barriers to affordable housing.
1. Impediments Created by the Market Conditions
i. Housing Industry
The availability of affordable housing is dependent upon the existence of an effective
housing industry. The City of Bakersfield is fortunate to have an active housing industry
including builders, developers, lending institutions, and the support services related to
this industry. There are however, only limited, active, efficient and effective non-profit
housing providers established in this community. The private for-profit building industry
community has not, in the past, found that its interests were served by providing
affordable housing opportunities to low-and moderate-income families. Recent rising
housing development costs have improved communication between private for profit
housing developers and affordable housing advocates. More effort is still needed to take
place by community housing organizations to involve the private for-profit housing
industry in establishing affordable housing opportunities. In addition, support for the
establishment and success of non-profit housing providers with capacity to benefit the
growing demand of affordable housing opportunities must be maintained.
ii. Economic Conditions
Housing affordability is influenced by a complex set of economic conditions. These
include such general factors as state and local economic conditions, the levels of
disposable income, and the cycle of growth and recession. Housing development is
directly affected by interest rates, tax policies, direct subsidies; the cost of capital for
housing development and financing; and the return on investment to investors, in terms of
the rate and type of construction.
iii. New Construction
In Bakersfield, as in other areas of the state, homeownership is becoming increasingly
difficult for the general population. The forces affecting housing affordability can be
attributed to the increased cost of land in this community over the last ten years rather
than market prices for raw materials needed to build houses. In 1990 vacant
unsubdivided land suitable for residential development was for sale at $25,480 per acre.
In January of 2000, similar land was available for sale at $30,000 per acre. For January
of 2004, an acre of vacant unsubdivided land was selling for as much as $50,000 per
acre. The cost of land, in addition, is affected by laws and regulations related to land use,
environmental protection and the availability and cost of services and infrastructure
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-27
May 2005
necessary to make the land suitable for housing. The cost of developing infrastructure
has a direct impact on the resulting cost of housing, as well.
iv. Rental Assistance Program
The supply of rental housing affordable to extremely low (0-30% MFI) income, and to a
lesser extent, very low (31-50% MFI) income, is limited. Large family rentals affordable to
these groups are particularly scarce. According to the 2000 CHAS Data Book,
approximately 19% of the City’s renter-households were living in overcrowded conditions
in 1999. In the absence of immediate relief in the form of more affordable rental housing,
there is a demonstrable need for rent subsidies.
v. Ownership Housing/First-Time Homebuyers
Interest rates are determined by national policies and economic conditions, and there is
little that local governments can do to affect these rates. Jurisdictions can, however, offer
downpayment assistance programs and interest rate write-downs to extend home
purchase opportunities to lower income households.
Since 1976, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) has required most depository
institutions with offices in metropolitan areas to provide data on the geographic location of
the home purchase and home improvement loans they originate or buy. In recent years,
as more information about mortgage lending has become available under HMDA, the
access of lower-income and minority households to mortgage credit has drawn
considerable attention and has stimulated initiative in the private and public sectors to
increase availability.
The expanded data have come about as the result of legislative amendments in 1989 and
1991 that increased the scope of the information that lenders must collect and the
coverage of lenders required to report. Under HMDA, lenders now disclose information
on the disposition of home loan applications and on the race or national origin, gender
and annual income of loan applicants and borrowers.
HMDA requires covered institutions to compile and disclose data about the applications
they receive and the home purchase and home improvement loans they originate or
purchase during each calendar year. Reporting requirements do not apply to banks,
thrifts or credit unions that have assets of $30 million or less (different rules may apply for
institutions regulated by the FDIC or OCC).
The HMDA data evaluated for the City of Bakersfield in the following sections primarily
focus on Home Purchase Loans with conventional financing. A more in depth analysis of
conventional loans and government backed financing is also included in the 2005
Analysis of Impediments for the City of Bakersfield. The following sections present
analysis of Loan Application Records (LAR) and Transmittal Sheet (TS) raw data
collected under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) for Bakersfield for 2003.
a. Disposition of Conventional Home Loan Applications
Income can be expected to affect an applicant’s ability to qualify for a home purchase
loan, but it is one of several factors considered by lenders when evaluating credit
worthiness. Other factors include the amount of the loan requested, non-housing
debt, assets available for down payment and closing costs, employment experience,
and credit history. Using HMDA data, one can compare lending activity across
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-28 May 2005
neighborhoods (that is, census tracts) in MSA’s grouped by their residents’ median
family income and by racial or ethnic composition.
Bakersfield is becoming increasingly more diverse, and the race-ethnic composition of
households applying for home purchase loans reflects that trend. Between 1998 and
2003, the percentage of all home purchase loan applications in Bakersfield filed by
Hispanics increased from 21% to 35% while White applicants declined from 67% to
56% of all home loan applications. African-Americans and Asians each made up 4%
of all loan applications submitted in 2003, similar to 1998 percentages. White
representation has declined concurrent with increased representation among
Hispanics.
The table below compares the disposition of conventional home loan applications for
Bakersfield in 2003 by income group.
Approval Rate for Conventionally Finance Home Loans in 2003
Low Moderate Middle Income Upper Income
Loans Number of Percentage Number of Percentage Number of Percentage
Applications Approved Applications Approved. Applications Approved
Home Purchase
Asian 35 63 84 77 339 81
Af-Am. 58 64 86 67 259 76
Hispanic 788 71 1,016 74 1,653 77
White 454 74 1,093 83 4,170 85
Overall 1,343 71 2,294 78 6,452 82
Home Refinance
Asian 85 61 152 68 550 68
Af-Am. 198 37 263 42 626 56
Hispanic 1,648 43 1,731 54 2,584 59
White 1,679 54 2,921 64 10,878 72
Overall 3,650 48 5,095 59 14,723 69
Home Improvement
Asian 4 25 5 60 16 56
Af-Am. 12 25 10 30 36 39
Hispanic 77 31 93 26 164 55
White 42 33 120 40 453 60
Overall 136 31 232 34 671 58
Source: HMDA data, Peertrax Software, Marquis Software Solutions Inc. 2003
In 2003, the average loan approval rate for Home Purchase Loans was 80% for
conventionally financed home loans and 81% for government-backed loans. The
approval rate reflects a direct correlation between home purchase price and
household income. The overall loan approval rates increased from 71% for
low/moderate income households, to 78% for middle income households, and to
82% for upper income (over 120% of the median income).
For home refinancing in 2003, the average loan approval rate was 58% and 63%
for government-backed loans. Similar to the pattern in home purchase loans, the
approval rate gradually increased with income, from 48% for low/moderate income
households (31% to 80% of median income) to 59% for middle income
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-29 May 2005
households (81 % to 95% of median income) to 69% for upper income
households. African-Americans had the lowest loan approval percentages for all
income categories, and Hispanics had the second lowest loan approval rate for all
income categories.
For home improvement loans in 2003, the average approval rate is considerably
lower than other loan types at 49%. Overall loan approval rates increased from
31 % for low/moderate income households to 34% for middle income households
to 58% for upper income households. African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics
generally received much lower loan approval rates than similarly situated White
applicants.
Based on the HMDA data analysis it is concluded that loan outcomes have greatly
improved in Bakersfield since 1998. In 2003, the breakdown was 80% approved
(originated as well as approved by lender but not accepted by applicant), 11 %
denied, and 9% withdrawn/closed. In 1998, the breakdown was 73% approved,
15% denied, and 12% withdrawn or closed according to information in the City's
1999 Analysis of Impediments. The 2003 statistics indicate a 7% increase in
approval rates.
While mortgage financing is generally available to residents in Bakersfield, the
more critical impediments for homeownership involve the affordability of the
ownership housing stock and the ability of the potential buyers to fulfill the down
payment requirements. According to the 2000 CHAS Tables, approximately
76.3%, 70.5%, and 56.6% of the City's extremely low, low-income and moderate
owner-households respectively, were overpaying for housing.
To encourage homeownership, especially among first-time buyers, the City offers
mortgage assistance and/or downpayment assistance to lower income
households through the City's Economic and Community Development
Department.
The City's Downpayment Assistance Programs provides assistance to
low/moderate income homebuyers. Qualifying households may receive up to
$10,000 and/or $40,000 for downpayment assistance and/or other non-recurring
closing costs (depending on the programs and funding sources). Although this
financial assistance may function as a no-interest, no-monthly payment grant, it is
repayable in full when the borrower sells the residence.
The new American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) program is City-wide
and the revised Southeast Infill Downpayment program is primarily located in
low/moderate income census tracts within the Southeast Bakersfield
Redevelopment Area.
In addition, HUD has earmarked nationally HUD-designated neighborhoods (low
income census tracts) in need of economic and community development and
where there is already a strong commitment by local governments. These HUD
Revitalization Areas within Bakersfield are the basis for HUD programs such as
the Officer/Teacher Next Door Programs, and the Direct Sales Program for non-
profit agencies and Municipalities. These HUD revitalization areas for Bakersfield
can be found on HUD's website.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-30
May 2005
vi. Rehabilitation
According to the 2000 Census and the housing condition survey conducted for the
ConPlan, block groups in Census Tracts such as 12.02, 13, 15, 21, and 22 contain
concentrations of substandard housing units in comparison to other areas in the City. All
of these areas are primarily low-income tracts where the tract population (51 percent or
more) is considered low-income (less than 80% of the area MFI). Thus, there is still a
need for low- and no-interest loans and grants for housing rehabilitation in targeted areas
in Bakersfield.
To encourage housing rehabilitation the City has typically allocated as much as $300,000
of its HOME funds per year the past five years to provide below market-rate loans to
finance the rehabilitation of ownership properties.
vii. Overcrowding
According to the 2000 CHAS tables, an estimated 23,540 lower and moderate income
households (owners and renters) in the City had one or more housing problems including
cost burden and overcrowding. This is an increase of 5,040 from 1990. Additionally,
approximately 79% (4,077) of the City’s large household renters were potentially residing
in over crowded units in 2000 (an increase of 19% since 1990).
An analysis of the City’s housing stock indicates that the supply of large rental units in
Bakersfield is limited. Unless market conditions are altered in the future to create
incentives for developing large size rental units, a significant portion of the City’s large
family renters will continue to experience overcrowding.
viii. “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY)
Affordable housing projects are often subject to review by boards and public hearings
which may result in unanticipated delays or possible denial of the project because of the
public’s “Not In My Backyard” attitude. Developing in general may evoke fears of more
congested streets and a rising need for new infrastructure facilities such as schools. In
particular, affordable housing development may evoke fears of increased crime and
possible decrease in property values.
ix. Governmental Constraints
Barriers to affordable housing can be found at all levels of government as well as other
areas. These development constraints could affect the City’s ability to stimulate
development of affordable housing. These public policies may constitute barriers for the
development of affordable housing in the City of Bakersfield.
Permit processing time is in conformance with the requirements of state law. Processing
time varies depending upon whether the permit application is ministerial, adjudicative or
legislative and if the application is complete. Ministerial permits may take from five days
to two weeks, adjudicative permits may take from two to seven weeks and legislative
permits may require from three to twenty months. These times are best estimates and
assume the application is complete. Incomplete applications are returned to the applicant
for correction which adds to the elapsed processing time.
Development within the City is based on a hierarchy of land use controls. This hierarchy
consists of the general plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance and building codes,
stated in order from general to specific and order of application, are utilized to direct
residential development.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-31 May 2005
x. General Plan
The general plan is a policy document designed to give guidance to decision makers in
the growth and development of the City. Residential growth areas and densities are
among issues and policies addressed in the general plan. Identified undeveloped
residential growth areas are located along the periphery of existing development and
undeveloped land. Residential development densities are specified for each residential
land use designation.
The general plan provides for a wide range of residential densities. Single family
detached housing and multi-family housing developments are guided by the General Plan
In terms of land use controls. This State mandated policy document not only establishes the
location and amount of land that will be allocated to residential development, but also
establishes the intensity of development (in terms of unit densities and total number of units)
that will be permitted. While nearly all components or elements of the General Plan contain
goals and policies that influence residential development, it is the Land Use Element that
has the most direct influence.
The City of Bakersfield Development Standards does not contain any unduly restrictive
provisions. Building height, setbacks, lot areas, and parking are generally within the
range of other cities in the State. Open Space provisions (parklands) only apply when
the population of the development will exceed 1,000 persons.
Two aspects of local government have been criticized as placing undue burdens on the
private sector's ability to build affordable housing. These are: 1) the fees or other
exactions required of developers to obtain project approval; and 2) the time delays
caused by the review and approval process. Critics contend that lengthy review periods
increase financial and carrying costs and that fees and exactions increase expenses.
These costs are in part passed onto the prospective homebuyer in the form of higher
purchase prices or rents.
As part of the City’s continuing assessment of development constraints, the City’s
Planning Division made a survey of eight regional jurisdictions (Fresno, Escondido,
Merced, Modesto, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Stockton and the County of Kern). The
assessment determined that the average total fees for development of an average project
in eight regional jurisdictions are $14,390. The same fees in Bakersfield total $11,495.
A survey of the planning application fees charged by the City of Bakersfield is generally
lower than cities outside Kern County, but is comparable to Kern County fees. Smaller
cities in Kern County generally have lower application fees. Kern County charged a fee
of $850 plus $25/lot for a zone change, plus the cost of the environmental document
($1,610 for an Initial Study and Negative Declaration – State mandated documents).
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-32 May 2005
Planning Application Fees - Surrounding Jurisdictions
*Environmental Document Fee Included
City of Shatter
$574*
$570*
$1,850*
plus $25/lot
$540
**Plus $250 Environmental Document Fee
City of Santa Clarita
$10,000*
$12,300** deposit
$9,070
$3,910
*Plus deposit for Environmental Document
**Plus cost of Environmental Document
***Plus Environmental Document
Kern County
$1,185*
$850*
plus $25/lot
$330*
plus $25/lot
$650
plus $25/lot
* Plus Environmental Document cost.
Source: City of Bakersfield Planning Dept. Application Fees, June 1, 2001. Kern County Resource
Management Agency land Development Services fee Schedule, Sept. 2000. City of Shatter Fee Schedule,
April 2002. City of Santa Clarita Planning Division Fees, October 2001.
The time required to process a project varies tremendously from one project to another and
is directly related to the size and complexity of the proposal and the number of actions or
approvals needed to complete the process. The following chart identifies the most common
steps in the entitlement process. It should be noted that each project does not necessarily
have to complete each step in the process (i.e., small scale projects consistent with General
Plan and zoning designations do not generally require Environmental Impact Reports,
General Plan Amendments, Rezones, or Variances). Also, certain review and approval
procedures may run concurrently. Since the majority of Environmental Impact Reports (EIR)
are prepared in response to a General Plan Amendment request, these two actions are
often processed simultaneously. Bakersfield also encourages the joint processing of related
applications for a single project. As an example, a rezone petition may be reviewed in
conjunction with the required, site plan, a tentative tract map and any necessary variances.
Such procedures save time, money and effort for both the public and private sector. A
majority of the processing times referenced in the Table below are established by law and/or
are subject to statutory public hearing and comment periods.
Development Review and Approval Procedures
City of Bakersfield (2001/2002)
Negative Declaration (Fee: Included in
project application fee)
3-4 Weeks
Processing and review time limits
controlled through CEQA. Accepted by
decision making body
Processing time can be extended if the
project has a longer review and approval
period. Adopted by decision-making
body.
Gov. Code Section 65358 limits the
number of times any element of the
General Plan can be amended each
calendar year. Approved by the City
Council upon recommendation by
General Plan Amendment (Fee: $3,553,
single element; $4,060, multiple elements)
4-6 Months
General Plan Amendment and Zone
Change processed Simultaneously
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-33
May 2005
Action/Request Processing Comments
Time
(Fee: Map Change - $4,166 Planning Commission
Map & Text Change - $4,567)
Zone Change (Fee: $2,537) 90 days Certain procedures and time limits
PUD & PCD (Fee: $3,045) established by Gov. Code Sections
65854-65857. Approved by the City
Council upon recommendation by the
Planning Commission
Parcel Map (Fee: $1,875) 7 weeks Approved by Planning Commission
Tentative Tract Map (Fee: $2,314) 7 weeks Approved by Planning Commission
Variance (Fee: $1,096) 90 days Approved by Planning Commission
Administrative Adjustment (Fee: $343 - 3-4 Weeks Approved by Zoning Administrator
$446)
Site Plan Review (Fee: $103 - $1,539) 3-4 Weeks Staff level review
Since time is money, particularly in the construction industry, the City of Bakersfield has
developed an innovative program entitled “Team Bakersfield.” Under this program,
whichever City employee is the first person to assist the developer then becomes the sole
contact for that developer for that project. That staff member will lead the developer through
approvals, permits, inspections, and even financing. Using this process, the average
processing time from beginning to end is six weeks for a multi-family housing project.
With this in mind, the City also has a one-stop in-take counter where multiple applications
can be made at the same time. Also, the costs for some fees (traffic, park) and permits for
affordable housing are reduced and the costs for zone changes and general plan
amendments for affordable housing are subsidized by the City General Fund.
Another unique opportunity in Bakersfield is due to low interest rates, flexible loan
programs, and reduced lot sizes which have increased the purchasing power of newly
constructed single family dwellings.
Medium to high density residential uses comprise 12% of the total residential acreage.
The percentage of multiple family residential units built per year in the City of Bakersfield
has decreased substantially since 1984. The significant reduction in the number of multi-
family units being added to the market could be attributable to the changes in the tax law
that occurred in 1986. The changes reduced the tax advantages of developing and
owning rental units. However, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program has
reduced the shortage of rental units by providing tax incentives for affordable housing
production.
xi. Zoning Codes
Higher density housing reduces the land cost on a per unit basis and thus contributes to
development of affordable housing. Restrictive zoning which requires unusually large lot
and building size can substantially increase housing costs.
The City’s Zoning Ordinance provides nine residential zones from E (Estate) to R-H
(Residential Holding). The City also provides for multi-family housing by right in the
Downtown area. The table below reflects development standards by residential zone.
Residential development standards include but are not limited to building height, yard
setbacks, lot area, site lane review, parking spaces and park land. These standards are
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-34 May 2005
for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the public. They
also reflect community development standards. These standards were adopted through
the public hearing process and as such are minimum standards thought necessary for
protection of the public. The City will consider the possibility of reducing or modifying
theses standards in relation to affordable housing projects in conjunction with the City’s
density bonus ordinance (Chapter 15.79 of Municipal Code).
The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) generally
recommends densities of 25 units per acre for multi-family housing affordable to lower
income households, which Bakersfield provides for in its R-3 and R-4 zone districts.
Densities in excess of limits established by zoning may be achieved though several
existing mechanisms: 1) the use of density bonus; 2) reduction of minimum lot size
standards according to Section 16.28.170 of the Subdivision Ordinance; and 3) increased
density for Planned Unit Development (PUD) through Chapter 17.52 of the Zoning
Ordinance.
The City’s zoning ordinance recognizes the potential for in-fill construction of housing
units at appropriately proportioned densities by allowing for the possibility of multiple
family dwellings on lots with minimum lot sizes of 6,000 square feet. This makes it
possible to build multi-family units at maximum density on in-fill lots without requiring the
assembling of large parcels of property.
Within Bakersfield, current vacant residential land available for development could
accommodate 62,449 units. Of this amount, 35,000 units (56%) could be suitable for low-
income housing.
Acreage and Units to Meet Current Housing Needs
Current Zoning Current Zoning Current Zoning
Income Category
Multi-family Single Family Total
Housing Needs
Acreage Units Acreage Units Acreage Units
Very Low
294.95 3,877 796.0 3,891 1,090.95 7,768
3,175 units
Low
185.83 2,541 1,544.32 6,401 1,730.15 8,942
2,347 units
Moderate
215.6 3,382 4,657.12 15,150 4,872.72 18,532
2,761 units
Above Moderate
343.5 5,647 6,563.51 21,560 6,816.81 27,207
5,522 units
Total
1,049.68 15,447 13,460.95 47,002 14,510.63 62,449
13,805 units
Note: From the City Housing Element (2002)
The Zoning Code also contains the following provisions for group homes, homeless
facilities, second dwelling units, mobile homes on individual lots, and mobile home parks.
Group Homes - Residential facilities housing six or fewer person as defined in Section
1502 of the State Health and Safety Code and required by federal law are permitted by
right in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zone district. (Note that while the R-4 zoning code
specifically mentions Group Homes for six or fewer persons, it is not explicitly mentioned
in the lower residential zoning districts; the City is aware of this inconsistency and intends
to effect appropriate changes.)
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-35 May 2005
Group homes for seven or more persons are allowed by right in the C-1 (Neighborhood
Commercial), C-2 (Regional Commercial), C-B (Central Business), and C-C (Commercial
Center) zones. They are allowed as conditions uses in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-O
(Professional and Administrative Office) and S-C (Senior Citizen) zones as summarized
in the following table.
GROUP HOMES BY ZONE CATEGORY
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
c-o
C-1
C-2
C-B
C-C
S-C
Group Homes
(6 or fewer persons)
Group Homes
(7+ persons)
Source: Zoning Ordinance, City of Bakersfield, 1998.
- = Permitted c=Conditionally Permitted
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
Home/ess Facilities - The City Zoning Ordinance, Section 14.04.285 defines "Food
and/or Shelter Service Agency" as any business, whether or not for profit, not operated
by the city, county, state or federal government, and not deemed a "residential use of
property" under state law, which regularly provides lodging and/or food services providing
shelter, food and/or day care free, or intentionally below cost, two or more days per week
to persons in need of such assistance. Food and/or shelter services are permitted in all
zone districts, subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
Second Dwelling Units - The City Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17.65 makes specific
provisions for second units in accordance with the provisions of Section 65825.2 of the
California Government Code. Second dwelling units are permitted by right in any
residential zone, subject to approval by the Planning Director. The existing dwelling on
the lot for which a second unit is proposed must be owner occupied when the application
is initiated. Second units may be either attached or detached, must contain two
additional paved parking spaces, and must be architecturally compatible with the main
unit as well as conforming to the construction requirements for the Uniform Building
Code. Request for approval of the second unit must be made by the owner occupant of
the dwelling on the lot upon which the second dwelling unit is to be constructed.
The City also allows guest houses in residential districts without any requirement for
additional parking. A guest house is distinct from a second unit in that it does not have a
separate kitchen and is not permitted to be rented.
Mobilehomes on Individual Lots - Manufactured housing/mobilehomes are allowed on
any lot upon which any conventional dwelling is allowed. Standards which the City may
enforce relate to roof overhangs, roof material, siding material and permanent foundation.
The state inspects manufactured housing/mobilehomes for compliance with codes and
safety measures.
Mobilehome Parks and Mobilehome Subdivisions - Consistent with Section 65852.7
of the Government Code, the City allows mobilehome parks and subdivisions on all land
designated by the general plan for residential use. Development standards are less
stringent than for conventional residential development. Under the MH zoning
designation, mobilehome density is seven units per gross acre.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-36
May 2005
Section 17.64.020B dealing with Conditional Use Permits (CUP) provides latitude in
permitting uses in all zones.
Parking Regulations. Bakersfield’s parking regulations and standards for parking lot
design are not onerous. Off-street parking is required for each new dwelling unit or
multiple dwelling unit; all parking for residential uses must be on the same lot or parcel.
Single family dwellings require two off-street parking spaces. Multi-family dwellings and
condominiums (efficiency and one bedroom units) require 1.5 spaces per unit plus 10
percent for guest parking on parcels containing six or more units. Multi-family dwellings
and condominiums with two or more bedrooms require two spaces per unit plus guest
parking at 10 percent for projects with six or more units. Dwellings designed for senior
citizens or physically handicapped persons require only one space per two units.
Density Bonuses. California Government Code Section 65915, as amended, provides
that a local government shall grant a density bonus of at least 25 percent and an
additional incentive, or financially equivalent incentive(s), to a developer of a housing
development agreeing to construct at least: a) 20 percent of the units for lower income
households; or b) 10 percent of the units for very low-income households; or c) 50
percent of the units for senior citizens.
According to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), a
local ordinance must specify which of the following types of incentives will be provided to
the developer: a) reduce site development standards (e.g., street widths or paving,
curbs/gutters, landscaping, location of public works improvements); b) modify zoning
code requirements (e.g., open space, minimum lot size, setbacks, parking standards); c)
reduce or eliminate any design requirements exceeding State building code standards
(e.g., restrictions on roofing materials); d) permit mixed use zoning within housing
developments if the development will result in lower housing costs; and e) allow other
regulatory incentives, such as an additional density bonus, expedited processing, use of
redevelopment funds, or other public financing (direct financial assistance is not required
by law).
The City of Bakersfield Density Bonus Ordinance (Chapter 15.79 of Municipal Code)
establishes the framework for density bonuses and other development incentives to
encourage the construction of affordable housing. Pursuant to the City’s ordinance,
“incentive” is defined to include any of the following: 1) reduction in site development
standards or modification of zoning code requirements or architectural design
requirements including, but not limited to, reduction in setback and square footage
requirements and in the ration of vehicular parking spaces that would otherwise be
required; 2) approval of mixed use zoning in conjunction with the housing projects if
commercial, office, industrial or other land uses will reduce the cost of housing
development and are compatible with the housing project; and 3) other regulatory
incentives or concessions proposed by the developer or the City which result in
identifiable cost reductions.
xii. Building Codes and Occupancy Standards
The City of Bakersfield does not use building codes in excess of the Uniform Building
Code (UBC). Its accessibility standards meet the accessibility requirements of the
national Fair Housing Act.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-37 May 2005
State housing law provides for the adoption of building standards, and the State of
California, including the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD),
has adopted by reference the Uniform Housing Code (UHC) as a statewide overcrowding
standard. The UHC provides that every dwelling, except for studio apartments, have one
room with at least 120 square feet of floor area. Two persons are allowed to use a room
for sleeping purposes if it has a total area of not less than 70 square feet. When more
than two persons occupy a room, the required floor area must be increased by an
additional 50 square feet per occupant. The UHC is based on health and safety
considerations, and is not intended to discriminate on the basis of familial status. All
California jurisdictions are mandated to follow the UHC.
Section 17.04.240 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code defines “Family” as an individual or
two or more persons related by blood or marriage, or legal adoption, or a group of not to
exceed five persons (excluding servants) living together as a single housekeeping unit in
a dwelling unit. However, the guidelines for allowable number of unrelated persons per
dwelling unit is not enforced; instead, the City uses the state-specified number of six
unrelated persons per dwelling unit. The City is currently in the process of making
changes to the definition of family in the Municipal Code to eliminate the requirements for
related individuals.
2. Health and Safety Codes
Redevelopment law is codified in the California Health and Safety Code. Three provisions
pertain to low/moderate income housing in redevelopment areas: 1) inclusionary housing
requirements; 2) replacement housing requirements; and 3) housing set-aside requirements
from tax increment funding.
The City of Bakersfield adopted its Downtown Bakersfield Redevelopment Plan in 1972.
Subsequently, its boundaries were amended in 1974 to include 33 additional blocks, in 1976
to include an additional 10 blocks, and in 1979 to add 14 more blocks. Presently, the Plan
encompasses a total Project Area of 73 square blocks or approximately 225 acres in the
central area of the City.
Since the time the Downtown Redevelopment Plan was last amended, conditions of blight
have become increasingly worse in other parts of the City. Two new Redevelopment Project
Areas were adopted in 1999 to address blighting conditions in those portions of the City.
Southeast Bakersfield Redevelopment Project Area, with the original alignment of Highway
99 along Union Avenue, Southeast Bakersfield was once a thriving part of the City. Motels,
restaurants and auto-related services dominated the land uses. However, changes in
transportation, development, and consumer needs shifted to the west when the new Freeway
99 section was constructed. This migration, coupled with the area’s aging and obsolete
building stock, have reduced the physical appearance and the economic viability of the area.
The 4,600 acre Southeast Bakersfield Redevelopment Project area was adopted in 1999 to
address existing conditions and revitalize the community, as well as prevent the spread of
blight into other areas.
Old Town Kern-Pioneer Redevelopment Project Area, due to its extensive rail service and the
original alignment of Highway 99 (Union Avenue), the area was once a thriving part of the
City. However, with the construction of State Route 99 to the west and changes in
transportation away from rail travel and towards the automobile has moved the demand for
new investment to the west. This, coupled with the area’s aging building stock and the
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-38 May 2005
migration of newer markets to the west, have reduced the economic viability of this area. In
order to spur economic revitalization in this area, the Old Town Kern-Pioneer Redevelopment
Project Area was adopted in 1999, encompassing an approximate 2,000 acre area.
3. Inclusionary Housing Requirements
Section 33413(b)(2)(A)(i) pertains to non-Agency housing and states that 15% of all non-
Agency developed new or substantially rehabilitated housing in the project area must be
affordable to low and moderate income households, 40% of which must be affordable to very
low-income households. Section 33413(b)(1) pertains to Redevelopment Agency housing
and states that 30% of all Agency developed new or substantially rehabilitated housing must
be affordable to low and moderate income households, 50% of which must be affordable to
very low-income households.
For the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, only the geographical areas which were added to
the Project Area in 1976 and 1979 are subject to the inclusionary housing requirements of
Health and Safety Code Section 33413(b). Relative to the number of housing units built in
Bakersfield, very little housing development has occurred in this Project Area. Compared to
the rest of the City, the downtown area has not historically provided a strong market to serve
the needs of a variety of housing sectors.
In accordance with the California Community Redevelopment Law, the Downtown Project
Area has no inclusionary housing obligation due to the limited number of units developed in
the project area. However, the City is now encouraging housing in the downtown and greater
downtown area by allowing mixed use residential development, by right.
It is the intention of the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency (RDA) to require the inclusion of
affordable housing within each housing project proposed to be developed or substantially
rehabilitated by means of conditions on development approvals. Affordable housing units will
be required in sufficient quantity to meet statutory requirements as a condition of
development.
The entire portions of the Southeast Bakersfield and Old Town Kern-Pioneer Project Areas
will be subject to inclusionary housing requirements. Unlike the Downtown Project Area,
each of these project areas contains significant existing housing, as well as additional areas
for housing growth. As housing is developed in each of these project areas, the Agency will
monitor its ongoing inclusionary housing obligations, and pursuant to Redevelopment Law,
ensure the inclusionary requirements are fulfilled on a ten year basis.
For the Southeast Bakersfield Project Area, the 78-unit Affordable Brundage Lane Family
Apartments – Phase I, the 80-unit Lowell Place Senior Project, and the 180-unit California
Avenue Senior Housing Project are scheduled for occupancy by 2005.
In the Old Town Kern-Pioneer Project Area, Golden Empire Affordable Housing, Inc.
(GEAHI), a non-profit housing developer, constructed 80 senior housing units on 3 acres
st
located at the northeast corner of 21 and “R” streets. Park Place Apartments is fully
occupied with low and very low-income seniors with income not more than 60% of the City’s
median income. In addition, one new housing project (Cottages Projects) is currently under
construction and is expected to be fully occupied by the end of 2005 with 74 single family
owners (thirty-seven of the units will be available to low income residents). Additionally, a
mixed use project is scheduled for construction in 2005 along Baker Street between
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-39 May 2005
Kentucky and Kern streets that will provide about 80 affordable housing units for families and
create 85 jobs for-low income workers.
4. Replacement Housing Requirements
Health and Safety Code Section 33413(a) requires that when residential units housing low
and moderate income households are demolished or taken out of the affordable housing
stock as part of a redevelopment project, the agency must replace those units within four
years after they are demolished or removed from the market.
No replacement housing obligation currently exists or is projected to exist in the Downtown
Project Area as a result of the destruction or removal of dwelling units that must be replace
pursuant to the Community Redevelopment Law as cited above.
The Southeast Bakersfield Redevelopment Project Area contains an estimated 1,040 non-
conforming residential units, and the Old Town Kern-Pioneer Redevelopment Project Area
contains an estimated 1,100 non-conforming units. These non-conforming units could be
replaced through time with non-residential development, either through direct Agency actions
or through the gradual shift in the private market. While it is unknown at this time which of
these units are occupied by low and moderate income households, given the economic
profile of these areas, it is very likely that a high proportion of these units would fall into the
low and moderate income category.
Currently the Cottage Project in the Old Town Kern Project Area is subject to replacement
housing requirements under redevelopment law. Funds generated from the project area will
be directed towards provision of replacement housing for non-conforming housing removed
from the project areas, for any required relocation payments, and for housing rehabilitation.
5. Housing Set-aside Requirements
Sections 33334.2 and 33334.3 of the Health and Safety Code require redevelopment
agencies to set aside 20% of the tax increment revenue to a special Low and Moderate
Income Housing Fund (Low/Mod Fund). The Low/Mod Fund must be used to "increase,
improve and preserve the community's supply of low and moderate income housing" within
the territorial jurisdiction of the agency.
The table provides redevelopment housing set-aside fund projections for each of three
Project Areas. These monies will be allocated towards the preservation, development and/or
rehabilitation of very low, low Pro"ected Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside
and moderate income housing
units, and the RDA will seek to
leverage these funds with other
Federal State, local and private
resources. As previously
indicated, the housing funds
generated from the Southeast
Bakersfield and Old Town Kern-
Pioneer Project Areas will be Total $1,196,000 $661,000 $2,098,000
directed towards provision of replacement housing for non-conforming housing removed from
the project areas, for any required relocation payments, and for housing rehabilitation.
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
$215,000
$227,000
$240,000
$251,000
$263,000
$120,000
$126,000
$132,000
$138,000
$145,000
$380,000
$400,000
$418,100
$440,000
$460,000
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-40
May 2005
6. Public Policies and Building Approvals Which Add to The Cost of Housing
Development
Housing E/ement: The City successfully updated its Housing Element in 2003 in
conformance with jurisdictions in the KernCOG subregion.
Achievement of the objectives contained in the housing element is expected to be
accomplished through actions by the City to provide appropriate regulatory concessions and
incentives through its land use and development controls and through the utilization of
available federal and state housing programs. The City's 2003 Housing Element identified
five broad housing priorities listed below:
1) To provide housing opportunities and accessibility for all economic segments of the City.
2) To provide and maintain an adequate supply of sites for the development of affordable
new housing.
3) To preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance existing housing and neighborhoods.
4) Ensure that all housing programs are available without discrimination on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, household
composition or size, or any other arbitrary factor.
5) Encourage and enhance intergovernmental, public, and private coordination and
cooperation to achieve an adequate supply of housing for all economic and social
segments of the community.
Site Deve/opment and Public Facility Requirements. The general plan and zoning
ordinance for Bakersfield contains policies and requirements for the provision of adequate
public facilities and services, such as potable water supply, sewage disposal systems,
electricity, flood protection, fire protection, parks, and public or private access. Although
these factors add incrementally to the cost of housing, they are essential to protect public
health and safety, and meet the objectives of the federal and State governments regarding
air quality, water quality, threatened and endangered species, the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), and other policies and regulations.
Most proposed residential projects are subject to the environmental review process required
under CEQA and, if applicable, the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). As a
result of project impacts identified through the review process, other on- or off-site
improvements to road, water, sewer, drainage, and other utility or service systems may be
required to mitigate impacts on a project-by-project or cumulative basis.
Rea/ Estate Property Tax. The property tax rate is established by the County of Kern Tax
Assessor. In addition to property tax, there may be special assessment and/or maintenance
districts which are established to pay for development of infrastructure or provision of special
services.
Assessment and Maintenance Districts. The City of Bakersfield may utilize assessment
districts when such districts are initiated by property owners, and maintenance districts for all
new residential subdivisions. Assessment district projects may include but are not limited to
installing curb, gutter, sidewalk, water mains, sewer lines and street lights. The City utilizes
maintenance districts for the purpose of maintaining parkway landscaping in the public right-
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-41
May 2005
of-way, median landscaping and park maintenance. Assessment districts are formed and
regulated pursuant to state law. Maintenance districts are formed and regulated by
procedures outlined in Chapter 13.04 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Low and moderate
income families are not exempted from their proportional monetary responsibility of
maintaining these districts.
7. Local Moratoriums or Growth Management Plans and Ordinances that Restrict
Housing Construction
The City of Bakersfield does not have building moratoriums or growth management plans
that restrict housing construction. To the contrary, the City provides more than adequate
zoning to facilitate development of affordable housing. Its procedures for development
permitting and inspection help to promote growth in the area.
8. Excessive Residential Development Fees without Options for Fee Reductions or
Waivers for Affordable Housing Projects.
In July 1986, the City of Bakersfield implemented a revenue/cost recovery program which in
simpler terms is a fee for service program. This program raises permit fees gradually to the
point where practically all fees recover 100% of the cost of providing the service.
Trends with respect to fees and other exactions indicate that development fees and exactions
may continue to bear more of the cost of fully mitigated growth impacts, especially those
related to transportation demand management, air quality, preservation of habitat for
endangered species, and conversion of agricultural land. The establishment or increasing of
fees for development projects is regulated by Chapter 5, Section 6600 et. al. of the
Government Code. The section requires that fees be related to impacts of the project. This
process is followed by the City and ensures that the impact of fees on housing affordability
will be limited to the cost of mitigating project related impacts. Exactions and dedications
required are those typical for residential developments and are related to impacts of the
project on public facilities and improvements such as parks, schools, street, and
transportation system improvements. These are pro-rated based on the land area and
density. Fees are required to pay for the capacity to provide necessary services being
affected by new construction.
The City of Bakersfield requires developers to install all infrastructures and pay inspection
and processing fees, habitat conservation fees, park fees and transportation impact fees.
These fees are not construed as a constraint to development. Pursuant to Section 15.84.050
of the City’s Transportation Impact Fee Ordinance, transportation impact fees may be
reduced for low-income housing projects.
Fees, land dedications, or improvements are also required in most instances to provide an
adequate supply of public parkland and to provide necessary public works (streets, sewers, and
storm drains) to support the new development. While such costs are charged to the developer,
most, if not all, additional costs are passed to the ultimate product consumer in the form of
higher home prices or rents.
The significance of the necessary public works improvements in determining final costs varies
greatly from project to project. The improvements are dependent on the amount of existing
improvements and nature of the project.
The City has additional fees that are charged to new development. Both the City and County
collect the Habitat Conservation Fee, currently $1,240 per gross acre, within the Metropolitan
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-42 May 2005
Bakersfield area. The school impact fees of $2.05 per sq. ft. for residential projects and
$0.31 per sq. ft. for commercial projects are considered “typical.” Some school districts have
adopted slightly different fees. A park fee of $635 per residential unit is imposed, as is a
Strong Motion Instrumentation (seismic) fee of $10 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for
residential projects. Sewer fees for residential construction are: single family - $2,100 per
unit; multi-family (1 bathroom) - $1,330 per unit; and multi-family (2 or more bathrooms) -
$1,520 per unit.
A Traffic Impact Fee is assessed to each new housing unit constructed within the
Metropolitan Bakersfield area by both the City of Bakersfield and Kern County.
Twenty-five percent of the City’s
Traffic Impact Fee Schedule (2002)
traffic impact fee is rebated to
Residential Units Traffic Impact Fee
developers of affordable housing.
The entire fee can be waived if it
Single Family $2,197 per unit
can be clearly demonstrated that
Multiple Family $1,471 per unit
the fee (alone) will increase the
Source: City of Bakersfield Planning Department, Application Fees
cost of the housing so that it is no longer affordable to low-income households.
Compliance with numerous governmental laws or regulations can also add to the cost of
housing. Requirements which relate to site coverage, parking, and open space within
developments can indirectly increase costs by limiting the number of dwelling units which can
occupy a given piece of land. This is especially true with larger units when the bulk of the
buildings and increased parking requirements occupy an increasing share of the site. In
some instances, developers must decide whether or not to build smaller units at the
maximum allowable density or fewer larger units at a density less than the maximum. Either
solution can have different impacts on the housing market.
9. Administrative Policies Concerning Community Development and Housing
Activities
For the City of Bakersfield, areas of high minority concentration are located near downtown in
fully developed areas, with modest opportunity for major new development projects and/or in-
fill development. These areas of minority concentration are also low-income areas. The
2000 Census indicated that the principal minority populations were Hispanic which accounted
for about 32% (an increase of 12% since 1990) of the City’s total population and Black which
account for about 9% of the total population.
Based on HUD income categories for the Metropolitan Statistical Area, Low/Mod income
households comprised about 40% of the City’s total households. The proportion of Citywide
Low/Mod income (80% or less of the area median income) households varied significantly by
ethnicity/race with Hispanics at about 54% and African Americans at 63%. While no public
policies exist which restrict the provision of housing and community development resources
to areas of minority concentration, because of greater need in low-income areas, many
services are indeed targeted to those central areas. Geographic distribution of funding is
predicted, somewhat, on the nature of the activity to be funded. Site selection for affordable
housing is encouraged throughout the City, in order to distribute assisted housing units City-
wide.
Affordable Housing. In order to create substantive neighborhood improvements and
stimulate additional, unassisted improvement efforts, the City focuses a portion of its
housing-related funding in targeted low-income neighborhoods. Based on the widespread
need for affordable housing, however, assistance is also available City-wide.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-43 May 2005
Removal of Affordable Housing. The City of Bakersfield’s one-year Action Plans provide
certifications to insure that housing staff complies with the Uniform Relocation Act. As a
means of preventing displacements caused by construction or rehabilitation, the City will
survey, or cause to be surveyed, each owner or tenant and determine what type of
assistance, if any, would be offered. A family will not be displaced without financial and
advisory assistance sufficient, in the determination of the City, to enable the family to obtain
decent, safe, and sanitary housing at an affordable cost.
Homeless. As agencies identify potential funding sources to address the continuum of care,
the City supports those projects without respect to the location of the activity. Geographic
distribution of funding from the City’s entitlement programs is based solely on the location(s)
identified by the individual agencies. The issue of homelessness transcends boundaries and
must be addressed accordingly.
Special Needs. As individuals, groups, businesses, and agencies identify potential funding
sources to address the needs of these unique populations (such as seniors, disabled
persons, single-headed households, etc.), the City will support those projects. Geographic
distribution of funding from the City’s entitlement programs is based solely on the location(s)
identified by the individual applicants.
The City of Bakersfield continually reviews its ordinances, policies and practices for
compliance with fair housing laws. A recent review resulted in a broadened and revised
definition of “family” to include State and federal definitions relating to unrelated adults.
All multi-family complexes are required to provide handicapped parking at a rate of one for
every 20 non-handicapped spaces. The City works with the developers of special needs
housing and will reduce parking requirements if the applicant can demonstrate a reduced
need for parking.
Group homes of six people or less do not require a Conditional Use Permit in residential
zones and there are no regulations pertaining to their relationship in distance or location to
one another.
Group homes of more than six people are permitted in all commercial and civic center zones
without any additional action. However, these larger size group homes do require a
Conditional Use Permit in all residential zones. The approval is determined at a noticed
public hearing before the Planning Commission. Property owners within 300 feet of the site
are notified and may attend and comment.
As discussed earlier in this section concerning barriers to affordable housing, there are
impediments which are predominantly created by market conditions (e.g., non-government
based), and those constraints created by government. Under market conditions, barriers are
typically dictated by economic costs and trends. As the economy improves so typically does
the housing market. Long term interest rates have started to rise and there appears to be
some change projected in the near future regarding housing production and homeownership.
Government assisted housing programs will be more in demand as real estate prices
continue to rise.
One incentive to removal of barriers to affordable housing is to pool existing resources from
housing providers (public and private) in order to provide regulatory relief and group larger
amounts of funds for greater affordable housing developments. In response to this need, a
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-44 May 2005
county-wide affordable Housing Task Force is currently underway. The City is part of this
task force which consists of public and private housing planners, investors and developers
who will identify regulatory reforms and incentives to remove barriers and promote the
development or rehabilitation of affordable housing options for the City and County
population.
The task force will serve in an advisory capacity to the County Board of Supervisors. The
task force is in the process of preparing a 2005 report for the Board that documents current
public and private efforts to provide affordable housing, and any initiatives that the task force
develops and recommends for future consideration.
Some areas for consideration by the proposed Board of Supervisors appointed Affordable
Housing Task Force might include: duplicative or lengthy design review processes; building
codes; rehabilitation codes; impact and other special fees; restrictive or exclusionary zoning
ordinances; land development standards; prevailing wage requirements (particularly as they
relate to state SB 975); and public/private financing mechanisms.
Another strategy to remove impediments to affordable housing is to increase economic
opportunities for potential home buyers to own their home. Staff will continue to meet with
lenders and developers that use government assisted housing programs to educate them
regarding the need to develop a broader base marketing approach to low-income residents
concerning homeownership.
Under government based constraints, City strategies to ameliorate any potential negative
effects of government barriers to affordable housing include the following. One strategy is to
take a more proactive approach in marketing the density bonus to housing developers.
Another strategy is to provide infill incentives to housing developers for low-income
residential neighborhoods within redevelopment project area's in order to encourage housing
production. Additionally, a new strategy which is underway is to secure government funding
under the State Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods (BEGIN) Program that
promotes reduction in local regulatory barriers to affordable ownership housing, and provides
down payment assistance loans to qualifying first-time low- and moderate-income
homebuyers.
Finally, barriers to affordable housing can be ameliorated by developing appropriate changes
to applicable zoning procedures and policies for siting and approving multi-family housing
developments. A more planned and coordinated approach could be explored to: 1) provide
equitable distribution of multi-family housing projects within the City; 2) provide a framework
that will increase citizen input and feedback; 3) create mechanisms for imposing appropriate
and necessary conditions (i.e., siting criteria) upon these types of developments through the
site plan review process; and 4) initiate a one-stop clearinghouse information resource
center approach like "Team Bakersfield" specifically for affordable housing developers
interested in Bakersfield, and wishing to understand the permitting, building and site plan
review process relating to affordable housing.
D. LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION STRATEGIES
The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 focuses on the reduction of
hazards, risk assessment, and prevention to reduce the effects of lead-based paint hazards on
children. Elevated blood lead levels in children can cause damage to the brain and nervous
system, effect intelligence, slow growth, cause learning disabilities and even lead to death. A
major cause of lead poisoning is from lead based paint in residential buildings. Based on the
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-45
May 2005
City’s review of the housing stock, approximately 28,000 housing units may contain the presence
of lead-base paint.
The City’s actions to evaluate and reduce Lead Based Paint hazards is outlined below and will
be incorporated into the following programs; single-family rehabilitation program, home
accessibility program, acquisition and new construction projects, and Community Housing
Development Organization housing projects. To meet the requirements of this Act, which took
effect on September 15, 2000, Bakersfield incorporated lead-based paint reduction policies and
programs into these housing programs to address the following areas of concern:
Hazards: “Hazard” means any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated
dust, soil, or paint that is deteriorated or present in accessible or friction surfaces. Contaminated
dust is considered the most common pathway of childhood exposure to lead. Lead-based paint
hazards do not include intact lead-based paint which is not on a chewable, impact or friction
surface.
Risk assessment and interim controls: Risk assessment requires on-site analysis to
determine existence, nature, severity, and location of lead hazards. Interim controls are put into
place and focus on measures that reduce human exposure to contaminated dust associated with
the presence of lead-based paint.
Clearance Testing: Clearance involves testing settled dust for lead contamination after hazard
control work; it ensures that fine particles of lead in dust have been cleaned up.
Prevention, as well as treatment: Reduction of hazards before a health problem occurs is
critical. The age of housing stock is an acceptable basis for estimate in the location of dwellings
with lead-based paint. Title X does not rely on children with elevated blood-levels (EBLs) as a
means of locating dwellings in need of abatement.
These concerns are all incorporated in the table below, which summarizes the lead-based paint
regulatory requirements into four major categories: notification, lead hazard evaluation, lead
hazard reduction, and ongoing maintenance. The strategy considerations with each category will
be discussed in the following.
Category Required Activities
Notification All of the following apply:
?
Pamphlet
?
Disclosure
?
Notice of Lead Hazard Presumption/Evaluation
?
Notice of Lead Hazard Reduction
Lead Hazard Evaluation One or more of the following may apply:
?
Visual Assessment
?
Paint Testing
?
Risk Assessment (or lead hazard screen)
Lead Hazard Reduction One or more of the following may apply:
?
Paint Stabilization
?
Interim Controls
?
Abatement
The following always apply:
?
Safe Work Practices
?
Clearance
Ongoing Maintenance This requirement may apply:
?
Inspect and maintain lead hazard reduction work
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-46 May 2005
Notification: The major objective is to increase the overall level of awareness of lead based
paint laws and regulations so that all community residents may be aware of their rights and
responsibilities. In the event the presence of lead-based paint is detected in a housing unit,
notifications will be carried out by the following mandated notification requirements established
by HUD:
Pamphlet: Occupants, owners and purchasers must all receive Lead Hazard Information
Pamphlet.
Disclosure: Ensure that property owners have provided purchasers and lessees with available
information or knowledge regarding the presence of lead-based paint and lead-based paint
hazards prior to selling or leasing a residence. Even if federal funds are withdrawn from a
transaction, the purchasers are required to receive a disclosure of any known lead-based paint
findings.
Notice of Lead Hazard Presumption/Evaluation and Lead Hazard Reduction: Occupants,
owners and purchasers must be notified of the results of the presumption of lead-based paint or
lead hazards or of any lead hazard evaluation or reduction work.
1. Lead Hazard Evaluation and Reduction
A major obstacle for the City in implementing it’s lead based paint strategy is to facilitate the
training of current City personnel as well as outside contractors to continue operating the
City’s housing programs while complying with the Residential Lead-Based Paint Reduction
Act. To be able to incorporate the required personnel into the City’s housing programs, the
City will need to assess the current local capacity, work to increase the number of qualified
contractors, and evaluate the costs and considerations involved in training in-house staff to
perform lead-related tasks. The table below identifies the personnel needed, and their
corresponding certifications, to carry out both lead hazard evaluation and lead hazard
reduction in the City’s housing programs.
Certification Qualifications Tasks Able to Perform
Lead Hazard Evaluation
Risk Assessor Must be certified* (and State-- Risk Assessment
licensed**if required) - Lead Paint Inspection
- Clearance
Paint Inspector Must be certified (and State-- Lead Paint Inspection
licensed if required) - Clearance
Clearance Technician Must be certified (and State-- Clearance
licensed if required)
Lead Hazard Reduction
Project Monitor Must be certified (and State - Abatement planning
licensed if required) - Conduct clearance inspections.
Lead Supervisor Must be certified (and State-- Abatement
licensed if required) - Interim Controls
- Prepare abatement plans.
Abatement Workers Must be certified (and State-- Abatement (but must be
licensed if required) supervised by an abatement
supervisor who is on site or
accessible at all times)
- Interim controls (can be
unsupervised)
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-47 May 2005
Must be certified (and State-
licensed if required)
* Certification requires taking the appropriate EPA-recognized course and passing an
examination.
** The licensing requirement varies by state
Project Designer
Initial strategy evaluations will focus on understanding the skills, qualifications, and services
needed to address lead-based paint, understanding the key considerations in deciding
whether to train in-house staff or use contractors, and analyze different ways to build capacity
within our community for certified lead-based paint personnel. City staff will continue to work
with outside governmental agencies, non-profits and other community based housing entities
in training and acquiring the needed personnel in carrying out its housing programs. The
LBP regulations will affect all of the City's housing programs that use HUD funding.
Pursuant to the LBP regulations, in addressing lead hazard evaluation the City will conduct a
visual assessment, paint testing, or risk assessment, depending on the activity to be
undertaken. In some instances there may be supporting evidence for the City to forego
testing the housing unit and want to presume the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead
hazards. Lead hazard reduction activities will include paint stabilization, interim controls,
standard treatments, or abatement depending on the requirements for the activity type. City
will ensure that all lead hazard reduction or rehabilitation work that disturbs painted surfaces
known or assumed to contain lead-based paint will be completed using safe work practices
as outlined in the regulations. Clearance testing will then be performed by trained personnel
to ensure that there is no evidence of lead-based paint hazards when all work is complete.
The table below summarizes the level of lead-based paint hazard evaluation and reduction
required by the activity type and level of federal assistance provided. The City will utilize this
table in order to conform to the lead regulations when carrying out it's housing rehabilitation
program activities that utilize federal funds.
Approach to
lead Hazard
Evaluation and
Reduction
Notification
lead Hazard
Evaluation
lead Hazard
Reduction
Ongoing
Maintenance
EIBll
Options
1. Do no harm
All 4 types
-Paint Testing of surfaces to
be disturbed by rehabilitation
-Repair surfaces disturbed
during rehabilitation
-Safe work practices
-Clearance of work site
For HOME rental properties
only
No
-Presume lead based paint
-Use safe work practices on
all surfaces
All 4 types
-Paint Testing of surfaces to
be disturbed by rehabilitation
-Risk assessment
-Interim controls
-Safe work practices
Clearance of unit
For HOME rental properties
only
No
-Presume lead based paint
and/or hazards
-Use standard treatments
4. Identify and abate lead
hazards
All 4 types
-Paint Testing of surfaces to
be disturbed by rehabilitation
-Risk assessment
-Abatement
-Safe work practices
Clearance of unit
For HOME rental properties
only
No
-Presume lead based paint
and/or hazards
-Abate all applicable surfaces
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-48
May 2005
2. Ongoing Maintenance
In activities where the assistance provided requires an ongoing relationship with a property,
generally TBRA programs and HOME rental programs, the owners must perform ongoing
maintenance to ensure that lead hazard reduction measures are maintained. The ongoing
maintenance will include the following activities: conduct visual assessments for
deteriorating paint, bare soil, and the failure of any lead hazard reduction measures at unit
turnover and every 12 months; address deteriorated paint through paint stabilization unless
an evaluation states that there is no lead-based paint; treat bare soil with interim controls or
standard treatments unless an evaluation indicates that there is no exterior lead-based paint;
repair enclosures or encapsulations; perform other lead hazard reductions, as necessary;
and provide a written notice approximately every 12 months, or at unit turnover, in the
language of the occupants asking them to report deteriorated paint of failed encapsulations
or enclosure.
Safe work practices will be used when all subsequent maintenance or renovation work is
performed where lead-based paint may be present. Clearance testing will also be completed
when any repairs, interim controls, or abatement work is completed as part of ongoing
maintenance. The City will also keep maintenance records on each property that will include
information on inspections, repairs and any other lead hazard evaluation and reduction
activities. These records will be kept for a minimum of five years.
3. LBP Rehabilitation Implementation
Compliance with LBP guidelines will involve specific steps in the rehabilitation process. An
example of the types of rehabilitation steps involved in lead hazard evaluation and
reduction/abatement are listed below:
Property Inspection and Rehabilitation Planning: a) determine level of hazard evaluation
and reduction required; b) risk assessor schedules lead evaluation; c) risk assessor performs
paint testing and/or risk assessment; d) provide notice of evaluation; e) lead work
specification work written by Project Designer; and f) determine relocation needs.
Contractor Selection: a) check qualifications of lead contractors; b) discuss work schedule
with contractors/owner; and c) discuss safe work practices with contractor/owner
Supervising Rehabilitation: a) ensure interim controls and abatement are supervised by a
certified, abatement supervisor; b) verify quality of lead hazard reduction work; c) ensure that
safe work practices are used by trained workers; and d) ensure work site preparation and
worker protection.
Final Inspection and Clearance: a) check that work is complete and clean up is adequate;
b) clearance technician issues clearance report; d) re-clean and repeat clearance when
necessary; e) provide lead hazard reduction notice; f) provide abatement or clearance report;
and g) ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
The major obstacles in implementing these LBP regulations are: increased overall costs for
housing rehabilitation/acquisition (20% - 30% increase due to LBP hazard
reduction/abatement); increased relocation costs; an additional 45 days needed to complete
each project; potential disincentive to sellers for first time home buyer programs; and
increased job-site supervision by City staff.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-49 May 2005
The new LBP regulations do not affect the following types of housing: housing built after
January 1, 1978, when lead paint was banned for residential use; housing exclusively for the
elderly or people with disabilities, unless a child under age 6 is expected to reside there;
zero-bedroom dwellings, including efficiency apartments, single-room occupancy housing,
dormitories, or military barracks; property that has been found to be free of lead-based paint
by a certified lead-base paint inspector; property where all lead-based paint has been
removed; unoccupied housing that will remain vacant until it is demolished; non-residential
property; and any rehabilitation or housing improvement that does not contain evidence of
deteriorating paint and will not disturb a painted surface.
E. ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY
1. Poverty Statistics
The 2000 Census for the City indicates that the total number of persons used to determine
poverty status was based on a population of 267,021 (poverty status was determined for all
persons except institutionalized persons, persons in military group quarters and in college
dormitories, and unrelated individuals under 15 years old). Of that amount, the number of
persons in 2000 below poverty for Bakersfield was 16% or about 25,780.
Poverty statistics also indicate that female headed and African American householders have
a higher propensity to be below poverty thresholds. About 35% of all female headed
households, and approximately 37% of African American households in 2000 were below the
poverty level.
Lastly, according to the 2000 Census the City individual poverty rate in 2000 was about 18%,
and for Kern County it was approximately 20%.
2. Causes of Poverty
The City’s anti-poverty strategy is to help families move to economic self-sufficiency. Since a
household earning 80% of a median income of an area is considered “low income” and can
be helped with CDBG, HOME and ESG, the municipality supports State and County efforts to
move residents to economic self-sufficiency. The success of the TANF and CalWorks
programs are dependent on several components directly or indirectly supported by activities
and projects carried out by the City’s 2010 Consolidated Plan.
Affordable Housing: Providing low-income households with housing assistance allows
families under the poverty line to live in safe, decent, attractive housing. It provides a base
for them to maintain employment, provides a nurturing environment to raise children, and
helps them become a part of the community where they work. The affordable housing
projects funded by the City such as the Downpayment assistance programs which provide
closing costs and down payment assistance supports the anti-poverty strategy.
Job Training: Education and training are important for a low-income person to gain the
skills needed to obtain and maintain employment. The Metropolitan Enterprise Zone which is
operated by the City and County, serves as one example.
Support Services: Services that enable people to prepare for, find, and keep a job.
Families that are moving from welfare to work need a variety of services to help them find
and keep employment and successfully transition off of assistance. Many CDBG-funded
public services and the ESG-funded (homelessness prevention) activities help with this goal.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-50 May 2005
Child Care: Safe, affordable child care is necessary if families are to move from the welfare
roll to the job roll. The City has been supportive of child care projects and programs in the
past and will continue, to the degree possible, to support child care initiatives in the future.
Transportation: Lack of transportation is one of the most common barriers to employment.
The most frequently authorized transportation services are bus passes to enable lower
income people to travel to job locations and schools. The City, through the Homeless
Collaborative works with Community Action Partnership of Kern to acquire Supportive
Housing Program (SHP) grants that pays for van service to pick up homeless folks at centers
and transport them to homeless service providers. In addition, the recently completed
Analysis of Impediments provides an analysis and recommendations to help lower income
people obtain the transportation they need for jobs and housing.
Economic Deve/opment: The Bakersfield Disadvantage Business Enterprise and
MBE/WBE/Section 3 Programs, programs by the City, help promote the involvement of low-
income residents, minority and women owned businesses in City construction contracts
funded either in whole or in part by local/federal funds.
Even with coordinated programs and services to reduce poverty, it is recognized that there
will remain many unmet needs for poverty persons. The City will endeavor to facilitate the
meeting of these needs over the next five years through strategically focusing their resources
and efforts as outlined in the annual Action Plan.
3. Goals, Programs and Policies to Reduce Poverty
Poverty is officially defined by the Social Security Administration as the minimum income an
individual must have to survive at a particular point in time. At times it is adjusted for non-
cash transfers for such things as food, housing, and medical care; it tends to bear a close
relationship to the unemployment rate. There are many factors leading to poverty in a nation.
Some of the more pronounced causes of poverty include the following: low income-earning
capability; low educational attainments and job skills; discrimination; personal limitations (i.e.,
developmental/physical disabilities, drug addiction); and housing cost burden.
In addition, some groups of people due to their age and gender such as the frail elderly,
children under 18, disability, and single-headed households have also become economically
disadvantaged in today's economy. Poverty status can cross all races, gender, families, and
age groups.
F.
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
1. Descriptions
Within the City of Bakersfield, the institutional structure for carrying out its housing and
community development strategy comprises many development players. The City of
Bakersfield through its Economic and Community Development Department (EDCD) and, to
the degree that it has jurisdiction, will take an active role in implementing and coordinating
the Con Plan priorities. EDCD administers federal entitlement funds received from the CDBG,
HOME and ESG programs. In addition, EDCD provides staff support for administering tax
increment set asides for low-income housing within the redevelopment area.
The delivery and financing of affordable housing and community economic development
involves organizations and participants from public agencies, businesses and private
institutions, non-profits and community organizations. Each of these participants can be
grouped into one of the following five categories: 1) Regulators/Policy Makers; 2) Social
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-51
May 2005
Support Services; 3) Producers; 4) Financiers; and 5) Neighborhood/Community
Organizations.
The roles and responsibilities of the participants will vary depending on the project/service,
required resources, leadership, capacity, level of commitment, productivity, and
understanding of the issues.
Some of the participants in the local housing and community development arena which are
typically composed of City, County, State, non-profit and private agencies identified in the
following discussion.
HACK is a Public Housing Authority with jurisdiction within the City of Bakersfield and the
County of Kern. Its purpose is to administer federal funds for its public housing projects and
government assisted housing units such as the Section 8 Rent Subsidy and Family Self-
Sufficiency programs. The City has had a contractual relationship with HACK since early
1970's to operate public housing within the City's jurisdiction. HACK is composed of a five
member independent board that is appointed by the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The
majority of the HACK decisions such as procurement, hiring, and contracting is independent
of County or City review and approval process. The City does provide municipal services to
public housing residents such as street sweeping, trash removal, and safety but does not
provide any public housing services such as resident initiative services. According to HACK’s
Public Housing Management Assessment Program (PHMAP) score they are not a troubled
PHA agency.
In the past five years, there has been an increase notification of or request for participation
from HACK regarding their strategic planning and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally,
we currently are working on joint projects together and the City will provide a ConPlan
consistency review on their five year PHA Plan.
Other City departments do get involved with review of HACK projects when approval is
needed. For example, all developmental proposals for subdivisions, apartments, etc., would
require approval from the City Development Services and Fire Departments.
The Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency (RDA) is the City's redevelopment arm for
administering tax increment funds for the downtown business district. Additionally, on August
1999, the RDA also established two redevelopment project areas - Old Town Kern-Pioneer
and Southeast Bakersfield. The RDA’s goals for the project areas will be to continue to
improve and strengthen the physical and economic environment and enhance the residential
community with safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing, supported by recreational,
educational, and cultural opportunities. Affordable housing is one of their mandates and the
RDA is currently working with HACK on joint financing of a senior housing project in the
downtown area.
The City's Development Services and Recreation and Parks Department are responsible for
planning and building inspection, and recreation services, respectively. Their responsibilities
include general plans and amendments, conditional use permits, specific plans, zoning
administration and uniform building code compliance, recreation, and park maintenance
districts. The Public Works Department is responsible for infrastructure improvements within
the City.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-52 May 2005
The County of Kern administers the Food Stamp, Medi-Cal, General Assistance, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families Program, public and mental health service, and employment
training programs such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). These programs help
facilitate the move of families and individuals to healthy self-sufficiency which is the mission
of the County Department of Human Services.
The State of California, through its Department of Housing and Community Development,
and California Housing Finance Agency administers loans, grants, and tax exempt bond
financing for affordable housing in various multi-faceted programs. The Federal Department
of Housing and Urban Development administers about 17 programs covered by the ConPlan
in connection with participating jurisdictions and eligible applicants.
Various private developers, financial institutions, housing related non-profit organizations and
associations are also expected to take an implementing role in the development of affordable
and supportive housing within the City over the next five years. City staff will interact with
various public and private institutions on an as-needed basis to meet the ConPlan priorities.
Depending on the project, the City's involvement may include planning, permitting, financial
incentives/assistance, or some other supportive role in the development of affordable and
supportive housing, employment opportunities and various community development
improvements. Some of the respective roles, relationships and responsibilities of various
existing non-profit and private agencies in carrying out ConPlan main priorities in the
following year can be grouped in the following fashion and explained as follows:
Housing Development: Golden Empire Affordable Housing Inc., private lenders, landlords.
Under housing, new multi-family projects will be developed and first time homeownership
opportunities will be made available through down payment assistance programs. In
addition, eligible landlords will be involved in rehabilitating rentals with federal assistance.
Homelessness: Rescue Mission, Bakersfield Homeless Center, and Alliance Against Family
Violence. Under homelessness, Bakersfield Homeless Center continues to expand their
facilities and coordinate a clinic for homeless medical services. Alliance Against Family
Violence and the Rescue Mission are proposed recipients of ESG assistance for operation.
Community and Economic Development: Restoration Community Partnership Inc. (RCPI)
and Police Action League (PAL). Under community and economic development RCPI and
PAL are currently being assisted by the City with technical assistance and capacity building
which will provide assistance to low-income families for services such as counseling and
education, energy and emergency housing, and youth programs.
The implementation of the ConPlan priorities will require substantial coordination between the
various agencies and entities. The City will take a proactive role in interacting and
coordinating with housing and community development providers as necessary to insure that
priorities are implemented in a timely fashion. Some of the strength and gaps in the delivery
of programs and services for housing and community development are:
Strengths
sound fiscal base in municipal services;
?
reciprocity of certain services between jurisdictions such as County and special districts;
?
numerous non-profit agencies actively involved in social service delivery;
?
active and progressive United Way organization;
?
a high volunteerism among residents;
?
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 IX-53 May 2005
Gaps
. fragmented and unpredictable state and federal funding;
. lack of capacity building skills among start-up non-profits;
. difficulty in obtaining local funding match for many housing and public service related
non-profits;
. lack of a team approach among the various diverse housing programs and agencies to
maximize effectiveness and impact on the unmet needs of the affordable housing and special
needs community;
. lack of government-assisted transitional facilities and private lending programs for special
needs groups;
. lack of secondary medical and follow-up care for homeless persons;
. lack of specialized shelter beds for the homeless discharged from a medical facility; and
. release of at-risk homeless persons from correctional, psychiatric institutions, and group
homes without sufficient housing and job resources being identified.
In order to overcome the gaps, the City will be partnering with existing local collaboratives,
non-profit agencies and lending institutions. For example, the City will increase its technical
capacity building to agencies and collaboratives and work with funding sources to obtain local
funding matches.
G. COORDINATION OF PUBLIC/PRIVATE RESOURCES
Over the course of the Con Plan, the City will focus its efforts in coordinating the use of public and
private resources to achieve the priorities outlined. Although the federal resources available for
meeting affordable housing, homeless and community development needs may be somewhat
limited, the number and type of potential funding sources are much more exhaustive. To access
this resource pool from the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private institutions,
foundations, developers and businesses, the City will facilitate the development of networks and
groups.
To that end, the City and County established an affordable housing consortium composed of
various lenders and agencies. The Housing Task Force will meet periodically to address
affordable housing needs and issues of the community.
Another step for enhancing coordination efforts was the restructuring of the Homeless
Collaborative and its various committees, a multi-agency group which is addressing the gaps in
services, facilities and housing for persons with special needs. The goals of the Homeless
Collaborative Continuum of Care Committee are to integrate, plan and facilitate HUD -
Continuum of Care funding based on needs and strategies as determined by the collaborative.
Staff from interested social service agencies, public organizations and private firms have been
contacted and meet regularly. The City has been instrumental in developing the administrative
mechanics of the networking body for meeting those needs. Recent HUD funding of a homeless
management information system (HMIS) will be operational by the end of 2005 and will provide a
much needed data base coordination.
The City of Bakersfield, through its Economic and Community Development Department will take
an active role in implementing the Con Plan priorities for affordable housing, homelessness,
community development, and other special needs goals. To supplement its own efforts, the City
will enter into partnerships with private developers, non-profit housing development corporations,
and public entities.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-54
May 2005
In addition to the aforementioned agencies, the following public agencies and entities will have
related roles in planning and implementing the Con Plan priorities and strategies: Housing
Authority of the County of Kern (HACK); Golden Empire Affordable Housing, Inc. (GEAHI); City
of Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency (RDA); Kern County Aging and Adult Services
Department; City of Bakersfield (e.g., Public Works Department, Planning and Building Divisions,
and Economic and Community Development Department); Kern Council of Governments
(KernCOG); Kern County Homeless Collaborative; County of Kern (e.g., Department of Human
Services, Community Development Program Department, Health Department); State of
California (e.g., Department of Housing and Community Development, California Housing and
Finance Agency); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Alliance Against Family
Violence; and Community Action Partnership of Kern.
Over the five years the City will develop interagency agreements with coordinating bodies that
can facilitate cooperation among the jurisdiction's line agencies. The City will continue to work
with other jurisdictions and organizations that have a regional responsibility for economic
development, business, employment, housing, and planning.
The City has planned and implemented the goal of attracting new base sector employers who
are looking to do business in a community concerned about their success by creating "Team
Bakersfield" to provide a single point of contact for any dealings with the City of Bakersfield, one
of which may be required permits. Team Bakersfield helps potential businesses with one stop
support to help eliminate challenges caused by red tape
The City will continue to interact with the various public and private institutions and depending on
the project, the City's involvement may include planning, permitting, financial
incentives/assistance, or some other supportive role.
H. HACK AND PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENT INITIATIVES
The Quality Housing Work Responsibility Act of 1998 gives significant regulatory flexibility and
additional planning responsibilities to PHA's. It provides new opportunities for collaboration
between community development agencies and public housing authorities by increasing the role
of PHA's in addressing the critical economic and social issues that block self-sufficiency of public
and assisted housing residents. HACK is actively working towards improving the self-sufficiency
of its families and individuals by providing supportive services such as job skill training, and
independent living for its elderly and disabled residents (see the economic development strategy
section of this document for additional information).
The mission of HACK is to improve the quality of life for low-income residents in Kern County by
providing safe, affordable housing and by assisting residents towards self-sufficiency and home
ownership.
The proposed major HACK goals for the next five years are: 1) Expand the supply of assisted
housing; 2) Improve the quality of assisted housing; 3) Increase assisted housing choices; 4)
Provide an improved living environment; and 5) Promote self-sufficiency and asset development
of assisted households.
Goal number five above deals specifically with self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. As
mentioned earlier this planning document, HACK manages approximately 434 low PHA units
within the City. In addition, they administer over 2,364 Section 8 vouchers/certificates in the City
limits. They have also formed two non-profit corporations which operate over 456 low rent
housing units within the City. One of them (Golden Empire Affordable Housing, Inc.) also
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-55
May 2005
partners with HACK in implementing Resident Management Initiatives with the objectives of
providing tenants the opportunity to effectively manage their households and eventually transition
to home ownership of low-income public housing.
HACK has been the recipient of several grants from HUD to develop programs that promote
economic uplift, community revitalization, and the reduction of gang and criminal activity in public
housing. Examples of these grants include: Home Ownership for People Everywhere (HOPE)
Implementation Grant, and the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant. The grant programs build
from previous grants acquired from HUD and are specifically designed to address the social and
economic needs of the community. The HOPE Grant allowed for the sale of Oro Vista Housing
units to residents currently living in those units. The program also involved homeownership
counseling, over $2 million in construction and neighborhood revitalization. In all, the program
benefited the residents of public housing and the community surrounding it.
HACK's commitment to Resident Initiatives Programs is reflected through its goal noted above
and its active participation of residents in the planning of programs. Staff holds bi-monthly
resident meetings to receive input and feedback on community concerns. Programs are
designed to meet the needs of the community. HACK successfully partners with community
agencies to provide on-site services including basic skills development, English as a Second
Language, drug prevention services/activities, youth leadership development, nutrition, and
parenting.
Lastly, a contractual relationship with Bakersfield Police Department was established through the
Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP) that provides for the physical presence of
officers involved with intervention and prevention programs to address drug related activity and
gang awareness for these communities. The decrease of drug-related crimes in PHA housing
developments is attributed to the involvement of residents and youth in PHDEP activities.
The City's programs such as the downpayment assistance programs, Section 3 Program and the
Metropolitan Enterprise Zone are vehicles that can be used to assist PHA residents to become
homeowners and gainfully employed.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010
IX-56
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