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Council approves 2024 CAPER, detailing CDBG and HOME spending and projects
Summary
The Columbia City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), authorizing the city manager to submit it to HUD; the report shows roughly $1 million in CDBG spending and highlights homebuyer assistance, affordable housing, and capacity-building projects.
The Columbia City Council unanimously approved the city's 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) on March 17, authorizing the city manager to submit the document to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Becky Thompson, director of the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, summarized program-year expenditures and accomplishments required by HUD to continue CDBG and HOME funding. Thompson said the city received about $1,000,000 in CDBG and roughly $400,000'$500,000 in HOME funds in program year 2024, and that total expenditures in the report were slightly over those annual allocations when CARES Act CDBG dollars were included.
Thompson described several accomplishments from the year: six first-time homebuyer assistance awards ($50,000 in HOME funds), Columbia Housing Authority support for 277 individuals at the Blind Boone Community Center, completion or near completion of CMCA single-family home projects, rehabilitation and energy-efficiency work for households, and other partner-led developments. Columbia Housing Authority's Kenny Point and Park Avenue projects and CMCA's Providence Landing are expected to expend 2024 or prior-year HOME funds during 2025.
During public comment, Renee Carter asked staff to include outcomes data in future CAPERs, seeking more detail on the specific services provided (for example, what Services for Independent Living did to help 15 homeowners stay in their homes, and JobPoint's outcomes for 305 students). Thompson replied that the CAPER collects counts served but that partners may track additional outcomes; she agreed additional outcome data would be beneficial.
Council member Nick praised the CAPER as a comprehensive source of information and directed colleagues to page 22 for Unified Development Code changes that support affordable housing. The council approved resolution (council bill 32-25) by roll call with all members voting yes.
