2024 AAP Public Comments

[Last Updated 5/9/2024]

Thank you to everyone who took the Annual Action Plan survey for program year 2024. Your participation and valuable comments will be attached to the final draft of the 2024 Annual Action Plan, underscoring the importance of your input in shaping our community's future.

Please see the responses to the submitted comments received below. If you have questions about the Community Development Block Grant, please don't hesitate to call the Housing & Community Development Division at (307) 637-6255 or email the Community Development Manager, Amy Gorbey, at agorbey@cheyennecity.org.

Survey Questions, Comments, and Housing & Community Development Responses

Q2PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies – 91.200(b):

The Housing &Community Development Division of the City of Cheyenne is the agency responsible for managing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. This division is pivotal in assisting local agencies and nonprofit organizations committed to aiding the city's low-to-moderate-income residents. By providing essential funding for public services, housing initiatives, and community needs, this division ensures vital support reaches those in need within the community. The H&CD Division’s nine-member Advisory Council reviews CDBG applications and recommends funding for eligible projects to Cheyenne’s City Council. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. There is a definitive need for affordable housing in Cheyenne and housing overall.  The CDBG program is vital to providing the necessary housing at an affordable price.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. This is great.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
3. How about, using available funding, community organizers that help low-income people within the current nonprofits?
   • Response: Thank you for your comment on the need for affordable housing and the potential use of available funding for community organizers within nonprofits. We share your concern and are committed to addressing the housing needs of our community.  Applications for projects that meet eligible activities and a HUD National Objective will be considered for funding. If you want to discuss a potential project, please email me at agorbey@cheyennecity.org. I would be more than happy to explore if there are eligible activities for community organizers.
4. NO BOONDOGGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (general comment)

AP-10 CONSULTATION – INTRODUCTION

Q3AP-10 Consultation – Introduction Summary: The Housing &Community Development Division (H&CD) of Cheyenne collaborates with local agencies like the Cheyenne Housing Authority, Comea Shelter, and Safehouse Services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. Through partnerships with organizations such as Wyoming 211, HealthWorks, and Volunteers of America, they aim to provide essential services like housing, healthcare, and support for individuals and families in need. The division's ongoing efforts prioritize creating an inclusive and supportive community while working towards safe, stable, and affordable housing solutions. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. The vulnerable population should be our priority
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Glad you are reaching out to these organizations to learn what the community's needs are.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
3. I fully support the local agencies and partnerships to assist with all the individuals and families in need to gain a new start or better life.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
4. Great funding uses. What about partnerships with local volunteer only nonprofits? How can you assist them in providing these same supports on a micro level?
   •  Response: Thank you for your comment about assisting non-profits with support on micro-levels. CDBG can be used to support microenterprises for commercial enterprises. The CDBG regulations provide the following definitions for microenterprise:  A “microenterprise” is a commercial enterprise with five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the enterprise. Some eligible activities include grants for the stabilization and expansion of microenterprises, technical assistance, and training. If you have an idea for a microenterprise project, please email me at agorbey@cheyennecity.org
5. Needs, INC. - Non-Homeless Special Needs - Council recommended funding for tour and update on food bag program.\
   • Response: Thanks for commenting on Needs Inc. We have included this information under section AP-10, Table 2, of the Final Draft.
6. Wyoming Homeless Collaborative - Continuum of Care Plan - Manages assistance resources to end homelessness in WY.
   • Response: Thanks for commenting on Wyoming Homeless Collaborative (WHC). Information about this is included in the sections AP-10 and AP-65
7. Most homeless visit the Welcome mat from 9 to 3 when other services are not available. Please look at remodeling or updating the Welcome mat and also relocating it closer to Comea shelter. The homeless walk several miles to get to the Welcome mat.
   •  Thanks for commenting on the Welcome Mat. Housing & Community Development staff recently met with the Welcome Mat and are exploring whether eligible project activities for day shelters are available. AP-10, the narrative, and Table 2 will include this updated information.
8. Fully support. Need to include the services of My Front Door as they provide additional education and budgeting tools to assist with the overall home ownership.
   • Response: Thanks for commenting and adding information about My Front Door's services. This information will be included under section AP-85: Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing.
9. No Comment
10. No Comment

AP-10 CONSULTATION – 91.215(L):

Q5 AP-10 Consultation – 91.215(l) Summary: The H&CD Division

collaborates with various stakeholders, including the Laramie County Community Partnership and the Wyoming Homeless Collaborative, to address housing and homelessness issues in Cheyenne. Through initiatives like the LCCP Housing Action Team and participation in the Wyoming Continuum of Care, they work on affordable and supportive housing strategies and coordinate efforts to address homelessness, including conducting a fair housing study and organizing the Point in Time Count. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Much needed, we are seeing an increase in the homeless and transient population within Cheyenne and Laramie County. 
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Expand locations to secure needed information. I.e., Welcome mat.

AP-12 PARTICIPATION – 91.105, 91.200(C)

Q6 AP-12 Participation – 91.105, 91.200(c) Summary: The H&CD

Division's Citizen Participation Plan involves the public in Cheyenne’s CDBG program development, ensuring transparency and accommodating diverse needs. Efforts to boost participation include attending community events, utilizing a Community Engagement Task Force, and leveraging various channels for dissemination. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. I think the citizen participation is vital to ensure the community voices are being heard
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. All citizens of Cheyenne and Laramie County need to be involved and have a voice to better our community and housing needs overall.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
3. Go to clientele.

AP-15 EXPECTED RESOURCES – 91.220(C)(1,2):

Q7 AP-15 Expected Resources – 91.220(c)(1,2) Summary: The City of Cheyenne plans to allocate $452,409 in PY24 CDBG funds for public and general service activities, aligning with the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan goals. To extend impact, sub-recipients commit to providing leveraged dollars for their CDBG-funded projects, ensuring critical support for low-income individuals and families in Cheyenne without sole dependence on federal funds. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Fully supported.  Again, I feel that My Front Door should be added as a possible recipient.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment. The Expected Resources Section required the city to provide a brief narrative and table breaking down how the expected resources the city anticipates receiving from HUD's allocation for PY24 and any other anticipated revenue, such as Program Income, that will be used to fund the 2024 Program Year activities. This section doesn't include community resources.
2. Thanks

2024 AAP GOALS RATING

Housing Rehab ($387,409): Rehab of home for 1 resident, rehab for 10 residents.

1. Very Important
2. Very Important
3. Very Important

Response:1-3: All ratings have been noted.

Support Services for Low-income & Special Needs ($65,000): Provide free legal services to 25 residents, crisis food assistance to 1,500 residents, emergency assistance to 60 domestic violence victims, utility assistance to a shelter.

1. Extremely Important
2. Extremely Important
3. Extremely Important
4. Extremely Important 

Response: 1-4: All ratings have been noted.

Program Administration ($89,602): Program administration for the CDBG 2024 Program Year.

1. Somewhat important
2. Important
3. Important
4. Very Important
5. Extremely Important
6. Extremely Important

Response: 1-6: All ratings have been noted.

AP-35 PROJECTS – 91.220(D):

Q9 AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d) Summary: The H&CD staff and advisory Council reviewed PY24 applications to ensure compliance with National Objectives and Con Plan goals, presenting recommended projects to the City Council for approval before submission to HUD. Selected projects under the Public Service and General Service categories aim to address the increasing demand for services, including housing rehabilitation and food assistance, aligning with the city's objectives to enhance public services and address housing needs. By supporting these initiatives, the city underscores its commitment to providing safe, affordable housing and services to needy residents, aligning with the overarching Con Plan goals. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Fully supported. 
2. None

Response: 1-2: Comments have been noted.

AP-38 PROJECT SUMMARY:

Q10 AP-38 Project Summary: Each project is broken down by target area, goals, needs addressed, CDBG funding, and the estimated number and type of families that will benefit. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Continue to do further study on the target area and goals/needs of our community to determine the proper need for all.
2. No comment

Response: 1-2: All ratings have been noted.

AP-50 GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION – 91.220(F):

Q11 AP-50 Geographic Distribution – 91.220(f) Summary: Allocating PY24 CDBG funds to specific geographies is impractical due to unknown project recipients. Public service projects serve low to moderate-income residents citywide, while rehabilitation projects are spread across different census tracts, with Habitat for Humanity not targeting a specific area for its projects. Despite no current allocation to specific geographies, efforts are underway with the city's GIS Department to identify LMI areas lacking CDBG benefits and target them for future projects. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Identifying the LMI neighborhoods, or geographic areas are important and this work is greatly appreciated.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Additional research and tools are needed to be put in place to serve all community residents that fall into this target area to ensure all of our community is served properly. 
   • Response: Thank you for your comment. Your comment regarding the need for research and tools will be added to the final draft of the Annual Action Plan. 
3. In the future, Listening sessions from targeted geographical areas should be done in a facility in that area. And publicize in local food locations.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment. Your recommendation to hold listening to sessions in targeted areas being and to advertise public meetings in local food locations will be considered for future public participation activities. 

AP-55 AFFORDABLE HOUSING – 91.220(G)

Q12 AP-55 Affordable Housing – 91.220(g) Summary: The 2023 Housing Study by the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce predicts a potential shortfall of 1,150-1,250 housing units by 2028 due to expected population growth, partly driven by the Sentinel Project at F.E. Warren Air Base. The City of Cheyenne is addressing this by modifying the Unified Development Code to facilitate affordable housing development and utilizing limited CDBG funds to support Habitat for Humanity projects, aiming to preserve low-income neighborhoods and provide safe, decent, and affordable housing options. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Affordable housing is so important for the vulnerable population and so unavailable.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Affordable housing is a very tough subject to solve as overall building costs make it difficult to for contractors to build affordable housing.  Also there has been past projects that have been declined due to the rules set in place from the City Council on zoning requirements and overall building codes to allow better affordable housing.  More needs to be done to allow contractors to build affordable housing. 
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
3. Great
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.

AP-60 PUBLIC HOUSING – 91.220(H):

Q13 AP-60 Public Housing – 91.220(h) Summary: Established in 1971, the Cheyenne Housing Authority (CHA) plays a vital role in providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing to low-income residents in Cheyenne and Wyoming, managing 341 public housing units and 786 Housing Choice Vouchers. CHA's initiatives include facilitating homeownership through the Welcome Home Wyoming program and enhancing community engagement and self-sufficiency among residents through programs like the Resident Advisory Council and the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. This year, the Housing & Community Development Division collaborates with CHA to conduct an Impediments to Fair Housing Assessment, aiming to address barriers to fair housing access for low-to-moderate-income residents and inform strategies for the city's 2025-2029 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan. Do you have any comments on this section?                                                                                        

1. Fully Supported
   • Response: Thank you for your comment
2. Good
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.

AP-65 HOMELESS AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS ACTIVITIES – 91.220(I):

Q14 AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)

Summary: The city's Con Plan prioritizes allocating funds to assist homeless and special populations, collaborating with various agencies like COMEA homeless shelter, Safehouse domestic violence shelter, and others. The H&CD Community Development Manager attends quarterly WY CoC meetings and plans to engage in local and state PIT Count committees to identify potential projects and coordinate efforts to reach unsheltered individuals. Additionally, the division will work with local agencies to address funding gaps for homeless services and provide technical support for future CDBG funding if activities meet HUD's National

Objectives. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Fully supported
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Collaborating is key. Not just these resources, but most work in silos. I think we get a little territorial when we need to be more collaborative if we’re going to address the needs.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.

    

AP-75 BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING – 91.220(J):

Q15 AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j) Summary: The City of Cheyenne is leveraging recent data from the Wyoming Community Development Authority to address barriers to affordable housing, focusing on UDC code changes, increased public engagement, and infrastructure investments. Notable changes to zoning codes aim to stimulate housing development by removing minimum lot areas, density requirements, and parking mandates for multifamily developments. Additionally, the city received $1.8 million from the State Land and Investment Board to support water and sewer infrastructure for a Habitat for Humanity multifamily project, demonstrating its commitment to affordable housing initiatives. Do

Do you have any comments on this section?

1. Fully supported
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. All parts of the city of Cheyenne need to have affordable housing in their neighborhoods. Whether they think it will bring down the property value or not. It basic need is housing.
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.

    

AP-85 OTHER ACTIONS – 91.220(K):

Q16AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k) Summary: In PY24, the H&CD Division is focused on improving existing programs and identifying new funding sources to meet the needs of those seeking affordable housing in Cheyenne. Recent data from the Wyoming Community Development Authority highlights significant housing challenges within Laramie County, prompting the city to outline strategies to overcome obstacles facing underserved communities. Through regulatory changes, enhanced community engagement, and financial support, Cheyenne is diligently working to foster and maintain affordable housing. Additionally, the H&CD Division collaborates with various city departments, non-profits, and agencies to enhance coordination and support for housing projects, including initiatives to address lead-based hazards in the community and explore barriers to affordable housing. Do you have any comments on this section?

1. More of this needs to continue to assist those in need, along with contractors and developers who are trying to provide and build affordable housing. 
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.
2. Good
   • Response: Thank you for your comment.