County staff review CAPER, project updates and HUD timeliness concerns; CAPER public hearing set for Sept. 23

Clark County staff briefed the Urban County Policy Board on the CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) for program year 2024, quarterly project updates and continuing delays tied to HUD timeliness reviews.

Rebecca Royce told the board the CAPER reports accomplishments and spending for federal program year 2024 (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025). The draft CAPER was released for public comment Aug. 22; staff gave a 30‑day comment period to pair the CAPER with a related substantial amendment. The county will accept comments through Sept. 22 and hold a County Council public hearing on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. prior to submitting the CAPER to HUD by the Sept. 27 statutory deadline, Royce said.

Royce reviewed year‑to‑date spending of just over $2.4 million: about $1.4 million from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement, roughly $1 million for economic development and homeownership activities, approximately $800,000 in affordable housing and homelessness (primarily TBRA), about $140,000 for public facilities and neighborhood improvements (including Washougal Hamlik Park) and roughly $440,000 in administration. She also described approximately $120,000 in HOME‑ARP spending tied to TBRA programs.

On quarterly project status, Royce said: - Battleground Southeast Clark Avenue: environmental assessment was posted for public comment; HUD request for release of funds is the next step and acquisition work continues under the Uniform Relocation Act process. - Ridgefield G Creek Loop: environmental assessment complete; public comment finished. - Washougal Hamlik Park: construction is complete; county awaiting final invoice and closeout paperwork and placement of a plaque. - Battleground Northeast First Street: environmental assessment complete and county has authorization to use grant funds; contracting is next. - Ridgefield Holland Elm: environmental review delayed until state sign‑off on contamination remediation. - Battleground North Parkway and Ridgefield Sargent Street: next neighborhood improvements slated for environmental assessments after Holland Elm. - Clark County Main Street building: staff will meet in October to discuss project next steps. - Bertha's Place Shelter Remodel: awaiting HUD allocation and grant agreement before environmental review and work can proceed; exterior work will wait for drier weather.

Royce and Michael Torres also summarized the county’s HUD timeliness status. Staff told the board they submitted a formal response to HUD headquarters on June 30 and are awaiting review and a likely formal consultation with HUD to validate the county’s plan to regain timeliness. "HUD headquarters should review our response, and next step would be schedule a formal consultation," Torres said. County staff said there is no consistent national timeline for these reviews and that regional and headquarters staffing changes have slowed processing.

On federal budgets, staff summarized House and Senate proposals: the House THUD bill proposes level funding for CDBG at about $3.3 billion and would zero out HOME in its draft; the Senate bill proposes about $3.1 billion for CDBG and retains HOME funding. Staff said they expect negotiations to result in funding for both programs but noted uncertainty. Staff also alerted the board to the Road to Housing Act, which would reauthorize HOME and permanently authorize CDBG‑DR in its current draft, while creating provisions that some local staff view as potentially punitive for communities unable to increase housing production quickly.

Royce closed by noting several programs (business assistance, homebuyer programs, and most TBRA providers) are operating on schedule, with the exception of Lifeline (which required the supplemental award discussed earlier). The board scheduled a special meeting Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the county‑owned Battle Ground building allocated 2025 funds.