City of Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services ANNUAL REPORT

2017

972-237-8180 http://www.gphns.org

205 W. Church St. Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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This is the inaugural publication of the Grand Prairie Housing and Neighborhood Services

(HNS) Annual Report. This publication is designed to be informative and give an overview of

our areas of responsibility. HNS is primarily federally funded and responsible for the

management of programs exceeding $30,000,000. We are very proud of the reputation we

have achieved as a “High Perfromer” in the Housing industry; and we are just as proud of

the rehabilitation services we provide to the citizens of Grand Prairie as demonstrated by

being named a finalist for the 2018 Neighborhoods USA “Best Neighborhood Awards

Program”.

As you review this report, I sincerely hope it provides you with the narrative and statistical data you are expecting.

Respectfully submitted,

William A. Hills, Director

Housing and Neighborhood Services

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ORGANIZATION

William A. Hills

Director

Patrick Cornelius Housing Services Administrative Manager

Esther Coleman Housing Services Manager

Gary Walters Neighborhood Services Manager

Senior Office Assistant

Santiago Chavez

Senior Office Assistant

Carmen Bustamante-Vazquez

Senior Office Assistant Briana Brown

Senior Office Assistant

Amber Todd

Executive Assistant

Katherine Garcia-Thomson

Neighborhood Services Specialist

William Lawrence

Rehab Coordinator Victor Hernandez

Rehab Coordinator

Roger Lopez

Housing Services Supervisor

Darren Deloatche

Housing Services Supervisor

JoAnn Lafon

Housing Services Supervisor

Oscar Gueta

Sr. Housing Enforcement Officer

Charles Harness

Housing Enforcement Officer

Angel Justiniano

Housing Enforcement Officer

Drew Stanton

Housing Enforcement Officer

Kenneth Young

Housing Enforcement Officer

Marcus Howard

Housing Enforcement Officer

Robert Alotta

Housing Enforcement Officer

Wade Couch

Intern

Mason Hawkins

Sr. Housing Specialist

Andrea Paredes

Sr. Housing Specialist

Guadalupe Smith

Sr. Housing Specialist

Hillary Lofton

Sr. Housing Specialist

Veronica Mosley

Housing Specialist

Angela Echols

Housing Specialist

Angie Davis

Housing Specialist Chelsea Watson

Housing Specialist Marta Cederstrom

Housing Specialist Tiffany Theodore

Fraud Investigator

Elise Morris

Homeownership Coordinator

Sean Kalkreuth

Financial Analyst Brittany Johnson

Senior Fraud Investigator

Charles Horton

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES The Neighborhood Services Division (formerly Community Development) secures and

administers federal and state housing grants effectively and responsibly providing

Homeowner assistance benefiting a healthy, safe and sanitary living environment for eligible

Grand Prairie applicants, with the support of business and city departments.

The primary purpose of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is to

provide safe and decent housing for low to moderate income families.

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

5 RECONSTRUCTS AND REHABILITATION PROJECTS Reconstructs are houses that are demolished and reconstructed. Rehabilitation applicants whose

houses are more than 75% deteriorated are considered for eligibility. If a house is selected for

reconstruction, the city will cover all storage and moving fees throughout the process. Additionally the

city will relocate the client during the construction process if necessary. All reconstructed houses are

constructed to high efficiency energy standards and total brick exterior.

Clients must be 60 years of age or older and/or handicapped or disabled. Also eligible clients must

have homeowners insurance and property taxes must be current to be considered for the program.

Rehabilitation Coordinators assess houses for needed repairs and upgrades. Priority is given to health

and safety items as well as structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and energy efficiency items.

Reconstructs Rehabilitations

3

16

Recontructs & Rehabilitations2017

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

6 Emergency Repairs and Sidewalk Repairs

Emergency repairs are those that could affect the safety, security, or welfare of homeowners.

Examples of emergency repairs are faulty water heaters, inoperable HVAC systems, leaking or

clogged main line plumbing or electrical issues, just to name a few. Emergency repairs are typically

completed within 24 hours. Sidewalks are repaired and replaced in eligible low income census tract

areas concentrating around schools whenever possible. Housing and Neighborhood Services works

closely with the Streets department to complete these projects.

Emergency Repairs Sidewalk Repairs

3473

Emergency Repairs & Sidewalk Repairs2017

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

7 Future Builders

Future Builders is a first time project that utilizes the Construction Technology students from the

Grand Prairie Independent School District to assist in building an affordable home for an eligible low

income family. The students will work with a selected contractor to complete the project, and they will

learn invaluable skills from a “hands on” approach. The project will prepare the students for the

workforce and future employment. Their labor will be counted as a Match for the HOME grant, which is

utilized to finance the project. A Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership family will benefit by

realizing the dream of home ownership and a secure future in a newly constructed affordable home.

Dream Builders Dream Builders is a program that provides HOME grant funding to the Grand Prairie Housing and

Community Development Organization, a non-profit organization that builds affordable housing for

eligible low income Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership families. The City of Grand Prairie

Housing and Neighborhood Services Department works closely with the GPCHDO to produce these

houses and helps families realize the American dream of homeownership.

Dream Builders Future Builders

0

1

Dream Builders & Future Builders2017

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

8 First Time Home Buyers

Buying Power grants were completed to assist first-time home buyer’s purchase their first homes in

the City of Grand Prairie. Eligible families can utilize the $5,000 grant to assist with up to one-half the

down payment necessary and the rest to be applied to approved closing costs.

Code Inspections

Code inspections are completed to address code violations in designated low to moderate income

census tract areas. They are inspected by the City of Grand Prairie Code Compliance Division.

11

First Time Home Buyers2017

7088

Code Inspections2017

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

9 Public Service Activities

Grand Prairie United Charities

This organization provides short-term rent and utility assistance, food pantry, and other services to

eligible low income families in serious need within Grand Prairie.

Brighter Tomorrows

This organization provides housing to victims of domestic violence in need of a safe shelter under

emergency circumstances and Brighter Tomorrows works closely with the Grand Prairie Independent

School District as well as the Police department.

Lifeline Shelter

This organization works closely to assist eligible homeless families with housing needs who have

children in the Grand Prairie Independent School District.

Children First

This organization works with and counsels children and families in Grand Prairie that are victims of

abuse and domestic violence.

Grand Prairie Summer Day Camps

This program provides activities and meals in the summer time for children. It is a safe haven at the

city recreation centers for children to keep them active and supervised. This funding assists low

income children to be part of the program.

Star Group

This program provides counseling, document preparation assistance, resume training, and other

supportive services to individuals who have been incarcerated and are re-entering society so they

may become successful citizens.

GP UnitedCharities

BrighterTomorrows

LifelineShelter

ChildrenFirst

GP SummerDay Camps

Star Group

5007

245 424 39 25 25

Public Services2017

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

10 2017

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

$1,407,661 78%

$405,369 22%

Total Revenue

CDBG

HOME

$221,459 , 18%

$5,015 0%

$34,032 3%$397,053

32%

$150,000 12%

$60,0005%

$70,0006%

$295,000 24%

Total Expenditures

Administrative Services

Supplies

Services

Reconstructs & Rehabilitation

Emergency & Sidewalk Repairs

Buying Power

Code Inspections

Direct Delivery

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM Through federal funding and landlord participation, the Housing Services Division provides low-

income families with rental assistance and support services to obtain housing in a courteous, patient

and efficient manner, while promoting home ownership for the growth of our community. This is

accomplished through adherence to Federal Guidelines and the Housing Choice Voucher

Administrative Plan adopted by the City Council.

1,022 families were provided rental

assistance within the City of Grand Prairie.

2,254 families were provided rental assistance

outside the City of Grand Prairie.

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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HOMEOWNERSHIP

The homeownership program is a component of the HCV Program.

A homeownership family is a participant of the housing choice voucher program and a first-time

homebuyer. A family must certify annually and abide by the homeownership family obligations. The

program allows for assistance up to 15 years unless disabled. The assistance is for the term of the

mortgage, and potential homeowners must meet mortgage lending requirements.

Portability

Portability is a function of the HCV Program that allows a participant to move into areas outside of the

area where they initially applied for assistance. The PHA where the family applied is called the initial

PHA. The PHA where the family is going is called the receiving PHA. The receiving Agency may

choose to bill the initial Agency for the administration of the voucher or issue one of their own.

7192%

68%

Homeownership(2017)

Homeowners Graduated Homeowners

36283%

154%

45 10% 15

3%

Portability(2017)

Portability In

Portability Out

Ported fromArlington

Ported toArlington

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

13 Waiting List

Grand Prairie Housing and Neighborhood Services Waiting List is a current list of families who have

applied for rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

New Admissions

New Admissions are families from the waiting list who have been determined eligible and who have

leased up for the first time in the initial PHA jurisdiction.

End of Participation (EOP)

End of participation means that the family is no longer a part of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

It can occur voluntarily, or from failure to meet the families’ obligations for assistance.

9,75052%

8,983 48%

Waitng List Families

Families on theWaiting List(2016)

Families on theWaiting List(2017)

27551%

26749%

Housing Choice Voucher Program Turnover

(2017)

NewAdmissions

EOP

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

14 Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections

HQS Inspections are required by the HCV Program. They are conducted before a family moves into a

dwelling unit, annually, and if a complaint is received. Housing Inspections are to ensure the units are

decent, safe, and sanitary. These inspections are completed by the Housing Enforcement Officers.

Fraud

The Fraud Program is responsible for monitoring and investigating all HCV Program Violations

committed by families, landlords and HCV Program Employees. Fraud is wrongful or criminal

deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood

Services Fraud Program tracks three (3) different types of Fraud Cases. The first is an ongoing case,

which is one that was received during the year and waiting for closure, or is awaiting a repayment

agreement to be initiated with a program participant. The second case is a fraud case, in which the

participant or owner violated their Family/Owner Obligations and resulted in GPHNS taking some form

of action against them. The third is a closed case, where no action was required by GPHNS due to

unsubstantiated allegations.

6,196 54%

5,307 46%

HQS Inspections

HQSCompleted(2016)

HQSCompleted(2017)

2219%

3531%

5850%

Fraud(2017)

Ongoing Cases

Actual Cases

Closed Cases

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

15 Apartments

Multifamily is a classification of housing that consists of multiple separate housing units for residential

inhabitants that are contained within one building, or several buildings, within one complex. Grand Prairie

Housing & Neighborhood Services Enforcement Officers inspect a specific number of apartments and buildings

annually based on age, the total number of units on the property, and the previous year’s tier rating. A summary

grading score (SGS) is utilized to assess the number and types of serious outstanding violations, code

violations, and public safety calls for service observed on the property annually.

50 63%

2127%

810%

Apartments Built Prior to1990 (Total number of multifamily

properties under their respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Properties

2178%

622%

00%

Apartments Built 1990 and After (Total number of units under their

respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Properties

6,823 72%

2,049 22%

5616%

Apartments Built Prior to1990 (Total number of multifamily

properties under their respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Units

5,115 76%

1,594 24% 0

0%

Apartments Built 1990 and After (Total number of units under their

respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Units

2,56367%

1,016,27%

2486%

Apartments Built Prior to1990 (Total number of units inspected

under their respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Inspected

966 67%

47533%

00%

Apartments Built 1990 and After (Total number of units inspected

under their respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Inspected

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

16 Hotels/Motels/Extended Stay

A establishment offering lodging to travelers, and sometimes to long-term residents, and often having

restaurants, meeting rooms, stores, etc., available to the general public. Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood

Services Enforcement Officers are required to inspect a specific number of rooms and buildings annually based

on age, the total number of units on the property, and the previous year’s tier rating. A summary grading score

(SGS) is utilized to assess the number and types of serious outstanding violations, code violations, and public

safety calls for service observed on the property annually.

.

1963%9

30%

27%

Hotels/Motels(Total number of hotels under their

respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

556%

222%

222%

Extended Stay(Total number of hotels under their

respective Tier in 2017)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

2100 60%

92727%

46813%

Hotel/Motel Rooms(Total number of rooms under their

respective Tier each year)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3 52050%50

5%

46845%

Extended Stay Rooms(Total number of rooms under their

respective Tier each year)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

61859%

27226%

15015%

Hotel/Motel Rooms Inspected(Total number of rooms inspected

under their respective Tier each year)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

38754%

22632%

9714%

Extended Stay Rooms Inspected(Total number of rooms inspected

under their respective Tier each year)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Total Hotels/Motels Total Extended Stay’s

Total Extended Stay Rooms Total Hotel/Motel Rooms

Total Extended Stay Rooms Inspected Total Hotel/Motel Rooms Inspected

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

17 2017

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

$2,039,9108%

$189,3361%

$206,9621%

$63,295 , 0%

$54,5390% $82,000

0%

$23,535,794 90%

Total RevenueVoucher Admin

Portability In Admin & HAP

Apartment Inspections

Hotel/Motel/Extended Stay Inspections

Willow Tree/Cotton Creek

Fraud Repayment

Housing Assistance Payment

$2,232,2979%

$28,2350%

$375,510 1%

$189,3361%

$23,535,794 , 89%

Total Expenditures

Personnel Services

Supplies

Services/Transfers

Portability In

Housing Assistance Payment

Grand Prairie Housing & Neighborhood Services | 2017 Annual Report

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Dedicated To