The City’s HHSG program for FY 2012-13 was open for applications from December 7, 2011, through January 23, 2012, but is now CLOSED until next year.

• Click here to go to the ZoomGrants web site to SUBMIT AN HHSG PROGRAM APPLICATION  [CLOSED]

• Click here to download the Human Services Commission 11/2/2011 STATEMENT OF PRIORITIES for the FY 2012-13 HHSG Program (pdf)

• Click here to download the EVALUATION CRITERIA for review of FY 2012-13 HHSG applications (pdf)

• Click here to download CRITICAL DATES for the FY 2012-13 HHSG Program (pdf)

• Click here to download City of Pleasanton COMMUNITY OF CHARACTER Declaration (pdf)

• Click here to download Current INCOME LIMITS by Affordable Level and Household Size (pdf)

• Click here to download the current HHSG Program POLICY MANUAL for CDBG/HOME funds (pdf)

• Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation from the December 6-7, 2011, HHSG application workshops (pdf)

• Click here to view a video webcast of a training on ZoomGrants that was recently conducted in Santa Barbara (starts at minute 31)

Each year, the City of Pleasanton receives an entitlement grant of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  CDBG funds must be used for projects which benefit primarily lower income households or individuals, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet an urgent local community development need. 

The City has traditionally opened these federal funds for application by eligible nonprofit agencies which provide housing and services benefiting low-income Pleasanton residents.  Activities that are eligible for CDBG funding include acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or installation of public facilities and improvements; public services (limited to 15% of the City's total grant); removal of architectural barriers to elderly or handicapped persons; and, rehabilitation and preservation activities for low-income housing, senior housing, and other qualified facilities. 

Prior to 1994, the City received its CDBG funds through Alameda County as a smaller city.  As of July 1, 1994, the City became eligible (due to its increased population) to receive a direct entitlement from HUD.  HUD determines each jurisdiction's funding level prior to the beginning of each new fiscal year based on a formula which includes factors such as the population of low income persons and the age and quality of the housing stock.  Since becoming an entitlement city in 1994, Pleasanton has received approximately $300,000 in CDBG funds each year. 

The City of Pleasanton participates with other jurisdictions in the Alameda County HOME Consortium for the purpose of receiving and administering federal HOME (HOME Investment Partnership Program) funds.  The Consortium adopted a Five-Year Consolidated Plan in May 2005 covering fiscal years 2005 through 2009.  Each year, participating jurisdictions update the Consolidated Plan with one-year Action Plans which outline resources and activities to be undertaken during the next fiscal year regarding issues relating to housing and community development. 

(All pdf formatted files.)

• Click here to view the current Five-Year Consolidated Plan
  
  
• Click here to view the current One-Year Action Plan
  
  
• Click here to view the current CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report)

HHSG Application Process

The City of Pleasanton’s Housing and Human Services Grant (HHSG) program is funded through four (4) separate funding sources, each of which has specific priorities and restrictions:

1. Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds
2. Federal HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Funds
3. City Lower Income Housing Funds for Housing
4. City General Funds for Human Services (formerly “City Grant”)

Each specific funding source has its own set of objectives and eligible activities which can be found in the HHSG Policy Manual (see link above).  In addition, the following general policies are applicable to all funding sources within the HHSG program:

• At least 75% of the program’s participants must be low income (80% or less of the Area Median Income, or AMI; defined later).
  
• All agencies receiving funding cannot discriminate in the selection of clients or proselytize when providing services.

All applications for HHSG funding must meet at least one of the goals or priorities in each of the following categories:

• City of Pleasanton Consolidated Plan Goals and Guiding Principles
  
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Strategic Goals
  
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Policy Priorities
  
• Tri-Valley Human Services Needs Assessment (2003) Service Gaps

Information on these requirements can also be found in the HHSG Policy Manual.  In addition, applicants for HHSG funding are requested to endorse and abide by the Community of Character principles that were recently adopted by the City of Pleasanton in partnership with the Pleasanton Unified School District:

HHSG Application Submission and Review Process

The City maintains a list of nonprofit agencies to which notices of funding availability through the HHSG program are sent each year (in November).  If your agency would like to be included on this mailing list, contact the City's Housing Division at 925-931-5007.  In early December, two application distribution workshops are held in conjunction with our neighbor cities of Livermore and Dublin to provide information, answer questions, and distribute applications for the grant programs operated by each city.

All agencies seeking HHSG funding must submit a completed application to the City.  Applications are generally due in late January or early February for the following fiscal year (i.e., July 1 through June 30).  Starting with the FY 2011-12 application cycle, all HHSG applications must be submitted electronically via ZoomGrants (see link at the top of this page).  The ZoomGrants web site includes detailed guidance and specific instructions to be followed in submitting an HHSG application for the City’s consideration.  Please note that the ZoomGrants web site will only be active during the open application period from early December to the specified application deadline in late January or early February.

Applications are reviewed by the City’s Human Services Commission (HSC) at its March meeting (the first Wednesday evening in March).  A staff report will be prepared and copies of the agenda and report will be transmitted to each applicant agency prior to the HSC meeting.  A representative of each agency applying for HHSG funds is required to attend the meeting to represent the application and, if requested, make a brief presentation.  The HSC will discuss the applications at the meeting and will vote on a funding recommendation for consideration by the City Council in April.

Applications that have a housing component may also be referred to the City’s Housing Commission (HC) for review and recommendation (generally in mid-March).  The HC’s recommendation will be included in the information provided to the HSC and the City Council.

If an applicant is requesting funding for a capital project, City staff and/or members of City commissions (i.e., HSC and/or HC) may arrange to make a site visit to review the proposed project in February or March.  Applicants are expected to make reasonable accommodations for site visits to ensure efficient and timely review of applications.

City of Pleasanton HHSG funds (from both local and federal sources) are extremely limited.  The HSC will consider a range of issues in formulating its funding recommendation and will analyze the proposal against general HHSG funding criteria as well as specific criteria for the federal CDBG and HOME programs.  A list of general evaluation criteria is found in the Policy Manual and in ZoomGrants.  In conjunction with these evaluation criteria, the HSC will also consider each individual agency’s performance for the current and prior fiscal years, including quarterly performance reports, agency performance in meeting stated project goals and timely use of prior funding allocations.

Following the HSC meeting in March, the HSC’s overall funding recommendation will be submitted to the City Council for final review and approval, usually at one of the Council’s April meetings (i.e., the first or third Tuesday in April).  A staff report will be prepared and copies of the agenda and report will be mailed to each applicant agency prior to the meeting.  While the City Council meeting is a public hearing and applicant agencies are welcome to attend and provide comments as applicable, no individual agency presentations are scheduled for the Council meeting.  The final list of projects approved for HHSG funding (from the four funding sources) will be included in the City’s annual Action Plan that is generally scheduled for review and approval by the City Council in late April or early May.

Staff will send letters to all applicant agencies regarding the disposition of applications and the final funding allocation following the City Council funding allocation meeting.

If an agency is awarded an HHSG grant, City staff will provide one (1) original of the HHSG funding contract shortly after the Council’s action.  Contracts are distributed at a “contract workshop” in May or June.  The workshop provides an opportunity for all agencies receiving HHSG funds to receive their contract documents and receive information so that all questions can be addressed efficiently and consistently by City staff.  Agencies awarded HHSG funds will receive a card or similar notification advising of the time and date for the contract workshop several weeks prior to the workshop date.

The agency must return the original (signed by the appropriate agency representative) and provide evidence of required insurance coverage prior to June 30.  The City’s insurance requirements are described in the Policy Manual (and are included as an attachment to the funding contract).  Upon execution by the City, a copy of the executed contract will be returned to the funded agency.

During the contract period, City staff may also contact agencies for specific project information in order to complete the required Environmental Review Record (ERR).  The ERR must be completed by City staff before any funds can be disbursed.  Funded agencies are requested to comply promptly with any requests for information.

Support of Regional Projects and Programs

Through its housing and community development activities, the City of Pleasanton has recognized that the provision of housing and community services often extends beyond the city limits.

Accordingly, Pleasanton has provided financial and technical support to numerous programs and activities which are located in neighboring jurisdictions but which benefit Pleasanton residents and/or employees.  Examples of such support include: 

The City of Pleasanton has been honored by HUD with the John J.  Gunther "Blue Ribbon Best Practices" award for the City's administration of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  The City was selected following a comprehensive analysis of all communities receiving funding from HUD.  Pleasanton received its award in the area of subrecipient monitoring inasmuch as the City uses a substantial amount of its CDBG funding to support subrecipient agencies which provide housing and services to low income Pleasanton residents.  The City was recognized for its accomplishments in developing standardized procedures for monitoring, assisting, and improving the performance of subrecipient agencies.

NOTE: It is illegal for any housing provider to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, physical handicap, marital status, sexual preference, or religion. If you have been unlawfully discriminated against, or you have questions about your rights, contact ECHO Housing at 510-581-9380 or 925-449-7340.