Council approves 2024-25 CDBG CAPER, staff to submit report to HUD

Thousand Oaks City Council on Sept. 9 approved the city—onsolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program covering July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and authorized staff to submit the CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Community Development Analyst Lynn Oshida told the council that roughly $654,000 was available last year (including carryover and the 2024 grant) and the city expended about $570,000 with an ending balance near $84,000. The city's primary CDBG activities included housing rehabilitation, a capital improvement at the Manning Mansions at Bella Vista (security cameras and gazebo/lighting work supporting 71 affordable units and one manager's unit), and mobile home rehabilitation through SAFE and Habitat for Humanity that rehabilitated 20 owner-occupied low- and moderate-income units.

Oshida said the public services allocation served over 700 low- and moderate-income Thousand Oaks residents and administrative costs included staffing, public notices and a fair housing contract with Ventura County. She also noted that roughly $16,000 of unspent funds might be reallocated via a minor amendment. The CAPER, she said, was posted for 15 days for public review and staff recommended council approve the CAPER and find it is not a project under CEQA.

Council members asked staff to confirm that the remaining $84,000 balance included about $52,000 tied to the Manning Mansions project and that the project is expected to spend remaining funds by December 2025. Council voted 5-0 to approve the CAPER and the staff recommendations.

Ending: Staff will submit the CAPER to HUD and, if appropriate, seek a minor amendment to reallocate roughly $16,000 of unspent funds to current CDBG activities.