2000 Census Analysis
(Powerpoint presentation)
Business Improvement Districts
The primary responsibility of the Community Development Division is to administer the City’s Federal Entitlement Grant programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
They include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
The Division also administers the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community programs, the Section 108 Loan Guarantee program, and multiple Economic Development and Continuum of Care programs.
The Community Development Division applies for and administers a wide variety of competitive grants awarded through various Federal and quasi-governmental agencies including Federal Home Loan Bank, the State of Oklahoma and the Supplemental Community Development Block Grant for the economic revitalization of the downtown area around the site of the Murrah Federal Building.
From 1996 to 2000, the division has assisted with the rehabilitation of more than 2,171 homes.
We also have programs that are designed to create better and more affordable housing, increase home ownership, improve neighborhood appearance, and prevent homelessness. Division administered programs fund Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), provide down payment/closing cost assistance to low income first time homebuyers, fund production of non-profit housing providers as well as the rehabilitation and repair activities of the City Neighborhood Services Department.
From 1996 to 2000, the division has assisted with the rehabilitation of more than 2,171 homes, this includes 1,595 single-family homes and 576 multi-family homes.
Recent economic development projects include the Downtown Renaissance Hotel, where $6,000,000 of CDBG funds were used in the outfitting of the building, along with $29,000,000 of private funding used in construction. 180 new jobs were created.
The Climate Craft project involved the redevelopment of the vacant Robberson Steel Plant west of downtown Oklahoma City. This project included a $3,500,000 Section 108 Loan from Oklahoma City financed by a HUD loan to accompany $4,776,000 in private funds. 119 new jobs were created.
The Community Development Division annually appropriates funding for low-income neighborhood revitalization projects, neighborhood school improvements, community center and recreational improvements and safe neighborhood/drug elimination grants.
Neighborhood revitalization projects include installation of street lights, sidewalks and street improvements.
Neighborhood school improvements include the installation of new playground equipment.
Safe neighborhood/drug elimination grants provide funding for increased police patrols in public housing projects and adjacent neighborhoods.
“Building Blocks” is an intensive revitalization effort in specific neighborhoods.
The Business Exterior Rehabilitation Program is a matching grant made available to business owners to rehabilitate the facades of their buildings. The project must be within the historic character of the building and district, and must be specifically reserved in the City Consolidated Plan.
Public/Social Services programs include:
- Emergency Shelter Grant entitlement program. This program includes emergency shelter operational assistance including utilities, supplies, insurance, rent and furnishings; service assistance to homeless including health, education, food and employment training; and homeless prevention assistance.
- Share Fare, funded through CDBG, to provide reduced public transportation fares for elderly.
- Play in the Park, funded through CDBG, to provide equipment for operation of the Parks Department’s popular summer program in low-income neighborhood.
- Staff support for the City Council Social Concerns Committee in recommending and administering annual general fund allocations to local social service organizations that apply for funding through a Request for Proposal process.
- Continuum of Care Program, including an annual application for HUD funds for the operation of Supportive and Transitional Housing programs: recommending allocation to local social service providers through a RFP process; administering funds and monitoring program operation.