HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAPER 2020-2021City of Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report
CAPER
2020-2021
City of Aiken
PO Box 1177
214 Park Avenue, SW
Aiken, SC 29802
www.cityofaikensc.gov
CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes - 91.520(a)
Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan.
91.520(a)
This could be an overview that includes major initiatives and highlights that were proposed and executed
throughout the program year.
During fiscal year 2020-2021, the City of Aiken received CARES Act funding (CDBG-CV) to assist citizens
that were impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus), as well as, CDBG Entitlement funds. Both CDBG and
CDBG-CV funds were used to assist low-and-moderate income (LMI) individuals and neighborhoods.
The City provided three projects over the past fiscal year utilizing its CDBG Entitlement funds. Two of
the projects made an enormous impact for low-and-moderate income families and neighborhoods
within the city limits of Aiken and have been a great success over the past several years by keeping
communities free of slum and blight. The two projects were the Lot Clean-Up Program and the
Demolition Program. The third project was Land Acquisition.
The Lot Clean-Up Program has made a great impact on communities within the city limits of Aiken by
clearing overgrown, debris filled lots where the property owner does not take immediate action in
properly maintaining their yards or vacant lot(s). Once a lot has been cleared, by being cleaned and/or
mowed, the property owner is billed for the service. Once the invoice is paid, the funds are returned to
the activity as program income.
The second program, Demolition, has also been a very successful program by demolishing run down
vacant or burned houses where the property owner does not take immediate action in having the
structure torn down and removed, or boarded up to keep trespassers out. The property owner is
charged as well and funds received are returned to the activity as program income.
Over the past fiscal year, a total of 72 lots have been cleaned, 10 vacant houses boarded up, four houses
tested for asbestos and abated, one house demolished, one burned structure removed, and four title
searches were completed.
The City of Aiken, through its partnership with the Aiken Municipal Development Corporation (AMDC),
purchased three lots located at 102, 114, and 118 Williamsburg St, SE, located in a LMI neighborhood.
Plans are to redevelop the block in partnership with the AMDC, Aiken Corporation, and a private
developer, by installing new infrastructure, rehab houses, new construction, and economic
development.
Utilizing its CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding, the City of Aiken provided three projects during the COVID-19
(coronavirus) pandemic. The projects were a Small Business Assistance Program, a Small Business
Revolving Loan Program, and a Pandemic Response & Prevention Program.
The Small Business Assistance Program was created during the pandemic by providing economic
assistance to restaurants by renting tables, chairs, and sanitation equipment for outdoor dining as
allowed under Phase I of the state’s reentry plan so that these small businesses can retain or create
employment, and continue to stay open during the pandemic. Restaurant dine-in remained at 50%
occupancy. A total of 14 restaurants were assisted.
The City of Aiken recognized the extreme hardships presented on its small businesses by COVID-19.
Small businesses had to close, which had a great impact on unemployment, affecting many citizens,
especially those that are already low-income. The City has collaborated with several community
partners to grant immediate assistance to small businesses that qualified with a revolving loan program.
A total of 47 businesses within the city limits of Aiken were assisted through the Small Business
Revolving Loan Program, by receiving a loan for up to $10,000 that helped them stay open, meet payroll,
and purchased needed supplies.
The City, in partnership, signed an MOU with a local health care facility, Rural Health Services/Clyburn
Center, located in a LMI neighborhood to utilize CDBG-CV funds for preventative measures against
COVID-19 and respond to the coronavirus by purchasing testing equipment and supplies through the
Pandemic Response & Prevention Program. Rural Health Services/Clyburn Center administered a total
of 2,297 COVID-19 tests.
Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure
submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not
made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g)
Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome
indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for
each of the grantee's program year goals.
These are two tables with numbers in them. Calculations of numbers completed in
each activity.
Assess how the jurisdiction's use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities
and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest
priority activities identified.
The Lot Clean-Up Program and the Demolition Program have both been a high priority with great
success in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods as well as targeted areas. The Lot Clean-Up
Program has been used to clean up overgrown, debris filled yards and vacant lots, freeing the
communities of slum and blight. Once a lot has been mowed and cleared of trash and debris, the
property owner is charged for the clean-up cost and the funds are returned to the activity as program
income.
Through the Demolition Program, dilapidated, rundown vacant houses within the city limits of Aiken in
low-and-moderate income neighborhoods, as well as, scattered sites are inspected, tested for and
abated of asbestos, and then demolished, including uninhabitable houses that have been abandoned or
badly burned. Houses that are vacant, but not a point to be torn down, are boarded up to keep out
trespassers. Any charges collected are also returned to the activity as program income.
CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted - 91.520(a)
Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted 91.520(a)
CDBG
Race:
White
Black or African American
Asian
American Indian or American Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Total
Ethnicity:
Hispanic
Not Hispanic
Narrative
The programs/activities, Lot Clean-Up and Demolition, assisted houses and neighborhoods to rid them
of slum and blight as a low-and-moderate income area. Therefore, no individual person was identified,
only the address of the property.
CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a)
Identify the resources made available.
Source of
Funds
Resources Made
Available
Amount Expended
During Program Year
Program Year 2021
CDBG
The City of Aiken utilizes program income as a resource to help assist low-and-moderate income (LMI)
neighborhoods through its Lot Clean-Up Program and Demolition Program.
Once an overgrown, debris filled lot is cleared, the property owner is charged for the clean-up cost and
the funds are returned to the activity as program income. When the owner of an uninhabitable, vacant
or burned house does not take immediate action in having the structure torn down and removed, or
boarded up, an involuntary action is taken by the City to have the structure demolished. The property
owner is charged and funds received are returned to the activity as program income. The funds
collected for these activities has helped the programs to continue successfully.
There is other non-CDBG income in three revolving loan funds from prior years, which could be utilized
that include: Housing Rehabilitation ($3,783.76), Homeownership ($1.96), and a Non-Revolving Loan
Fund ($6,397.70). The City is a member of the local Consortium and serves as a gateway to allow
partnering community development corporations to apply for HOME funds. The City also utilizes other
federal dollars and local tax payer support.
Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments.
The City of Aiken is made up of four different quadrants, north, south, east and west, where
substandard conditions, and slum and blight can be found in all of these areas. Unfortunately, the
northern area of Aiken, being the original grid of town, contains the most seen slum and blight where
many LMI neighborhoods are located.
The Lot Clean-Up Program and Demolition Program have been a great success over the years providing
assistance in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods, as well as, spotted areas by having the
overgrown grass cut, removing trash and debris from the property and freeing the neighborhood of
slum and blight. Very-low income citizens will receive primary attention, although assistance for all LMI
neighborhoods are assisted as well. Currently, the City has 13 neighborhood associations that are
considered low-and-moderate income that are located within the north and east side of Aiken.
Leveraging
Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds),
including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly
owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs
identified in the plan.
The City of Aiken continues to seek additional funding to meet the needs of its low-and-moderate
income citizens within the city limits. To help leverage CDBG funding, there is other non-CDBG income
in three revolving loan funds from prior years that could be utilized which are: Housing Rehabilitation,
Homeownership, and a Non-Revolving Loan Fund. The City will continue to seek funding opportunities
to leverage CDBG funds through other grant opportunities.
The City has been approved for a Section 108 Loan this past fiscal year. Funds are expected to be used
in Spring, 2022, for an infrastructure project on the 100 block of Williamsburg Street, in a low-and-
moderate income area.
To assist its partnering community development corporations in applying for grant opportunities such as
HOME funds, the City joined the Orangeburg County Consortium through the Lower Savannah Council of
Governments. The City also utilizes other federal dollars and local tax payer supports as a leverage.
CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b)
Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number
and types of families served, the number of extremely low-income, low-income, moderate-
income, and middle-income persons served.
Number of households to be supported One-Year Goal Actual
Homeless
Non-Homeless
Special-Needs
Total
Number of households supported through: One-Year Goal Actual
Rental Assistance
The Production of New Units
Rehab of Existing Units
Acquisition of Existing Units
Total
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in
meeting these goals.
The City of Aiken does not received funds to construct any housing opportunities nor provide CDBG
funding or other assistance to agencies that provide housing opportunities. The City also does not
currently own any vacant lots for new housing construction. However, the City continues to collaborate
with Second Baptist Church Community Development Corporation (Second Baptist CDC), Nehemiah
Community Revitalization Corporation (Nehemiah CRC), and the Aiken Housing Authority.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
Since receiving its CHDO certification through the Lower Savannah Council of Government, Second
Baptist CDC has been awarded HOME funds to construct new affordable housing. Second Baptist CDC
constructed four new affordable homes this past fiscal year on the 500 block of Abbeville Avenue,
located in a LMI neighborhood on the north side of Aiken. Plans for Second Baptist CDC are to build on
15 lots in Crosland Park, another LMI community. The long-term goal of the City has been improving
conditions in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods mainly on the north side of Aiken.
The Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) purchased three lots on the 100 block of
Williamsburg St, a low-and-moderate income area, for future construction of multi-family units and
economic development. On the same block, a local developer is utilizing private funds to rehab
approximately five homes and construct two new homes for sale to qualified moderate-income families
within the next two years.
Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served
by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the
eligibility of the activity.
Number of Households Served CDBG Actual
Extremely Low-income
Low-income
Moderate-income
Total
Narrative
The City of Aiken contacted several entities including the Aiken Housing Authority, Aiken County Habitat
for Humanity, and Aiken Board of Realtors to assist in the planning process to address housing services.
In addition, various non-profit organizations that provide services to the homeless, youth and seniors,
and services to people with special needs were also consulted such as the Midlands Area Consortium for
the Homeless (MACH), Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Tri-Development Center, Mental Health
Center, Senior Life Services, and Helping Hands.
The City will continue coordinating a circle of support by sharing ideas and activities with various
agencies to assist one another and citizens in need of affordable housing services. The activities may
involve community meetings with non-profits and promotion of agencies’ efforts in the community.
CR-25 Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e);
91.520(c)
Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and
ending homelessness through:
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing
their individual needs.
The City of Aiken does not have any programs that serve the homeless nor provide CDBG funds to assist
the homeless. Individuals and families that are homeless can have their needs met through several
different agencies within Aiken. The City will continue coordinating a circle of support by sharing ideas
and activities with various agencies to assist one another and citizens in need of particular services.
The Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) is a 14-county coalition that serves as the local
body in the Midlands, that includes Aiken, to provide a bridge between the homeless population and the
community through education, planning, advocacy, and services. The City of Aiken supports MACH in its
HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program and certifies that its activities/projects are
consistent with the jurisdiction's current, approved Consolidated Plan.
This past fiscal year, the City created a Community Resource Directory as a means to serve requests for a
general list of resources such as food, clothing, shelter, utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare,
and education for adults, youth, seniors and families in Aiken. More than 800 Community Resource
Directories have been copied and distributed in 16 local Blessing Boxes, placed in the City Municipal
Building lobby area, provided at meetings, and given to those by request. The Community Resource
Directory can be found on the City’s website at https://www.cityofaikensc.gov under Community
Resources and Development.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons.
The City of Aiken does not receive ESG funding and unfortunately, there are no emergency shelters in
Aiken. There are two transitional housing facilities in Aiken. Oxford House Viola
(transitionalhousing.org) and Stand at the Crossroads Ministries (crossroadsaiken.com), which are listed
in the City's Community Resource Directory. However, the City does support the Continuum of Care in
its efforts to provide emergency shelter to the homeless. The City also refers families in emergency
situations to the Salvation Army and Red Cross.
The Salvation Army provides shelter to the homeless, which includes a warm bed, shower, three meals a
day, plus snacks. Over the past fiscal year, 3,383 persons were served by the Salvation Army, 64,011
food boxes/groceries were given away, 28,456 cooked meals were provided, and 6,688 nights of shelter
were provided.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially
extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become
homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care
(such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth
facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from
public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment,
education, or youth needs.
The City of Aiken does not have any programs that serve extremely low-income or low-income
individuals and families to avoid becoming homeless after being discharged from a publicly funded
institution and system of care.
Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center (ABMHC) provides a variety of services to individuals seeking help
for mental health problems or mental health and addiction problems. ABMHC provides for 36 housing
placements in Aiken via rent-guarantee payments. This past fiscal year, ABMHC provided services to
3,819 individuals.
Tri-Development Center of Aiken County serves residents who have the disabilities of autism, head
injuries, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities, and related disabilities. Tri-Development provides a
variety of services that include: residential services, transition services, vocational services to include job
placement, self-advocacy, and behavioral support services. Tri-Development has several rental units
scattered across Aiken County, which are 26 group homes, a 20-unit apartment complex, four
intermediate care facilities, and two community residential care facilities. Over the past fiscal year, Tri-
Development served over 356 individuals with disabilities.
The City of Aiken will continue working with local service agencies that assist low-income individuals and
families to address their needs, as well as, provide assistance and services for citizens through various
programs and activities to include:
* Hard to reach families that receive support from social service agencies;
* Working with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in continuing to eliminate lead-based paint
hazards and educating families and staff;
* Continuing to coordinate with Aiken County government agencies through referrals and supportive
services; and
* Collaboration with public, private and social services agencies in offering readiness programs for
affordable homeownership, maintaining safe and decent housing, and strengthen communities
through neighborhood leaders.
The City of Aiken will also continue its partnerships with a vast amount of support by sharing ideas and
activities with service providers and other agencies to assist one another, as well as, citizens in need of
particular services. Local service agencies and the general public can receive a City of Aiken Community
Resource Directory, which provides information for a list of resources such as food, clothing, shelter,
utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare, and education for adults, youth, seniors and families in
Aiken.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families,
families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make
the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the
period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating
access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and
preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming
homeless again.
The City of Aiken does not provide CDBG funding to those agencies that serve the homeless. However,
the City will continue to provide referrals to agencies that serve the homeless. The City also provides a
Community Resource Directory that lists various affordable housing opportunities and other avenues to
assist in making the transition from homeless to permanent housing and independent living obtainable.
CR-30 Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j)
Actions taken to address the needs of public housing.
The Housing Authority of the City of Aiken administers a public housing program that manages five
developments in Aiken County. Beginning in Fall, 2021, the Housing Authority has announced plans to
raze Hahn Village, one of three remaining public housing complexes within the city limits of Aiken. Hahn
Village once contained 100 units and housed over 246 residents. This past fiscal year, tenants living in
Hahn Village were given a Housing Choice Voucher to relocate. The Aiken Housing Authority also
administers a total of 875 vouchers in the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.
The Housing Authority's waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher (HVC) Section 8 Tenant-Based
Assistance Program is NOT accepting new applications at this time.
The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Aiken is to assist low-income families with safe,
decent, and affordable housing opportunities in a non-discriminatory manner as they strive to achieve
self-sufficiency and improve the quality of their lives. The Housing Authority is also committed to
operating in an efficient, ethical, and professional manner.
Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in
management and participate in homeownership.
The Aiken Housing Authority operates a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. The FSS Program is a
HUD program that allows residents of HCV and public housing to build financial assets as the household
increases earned-income from wages. Participation generally lasts five (5) years, during which
participants identify educational, professional and personal goals including: transitioning out of
subsidized housing and homeownership. The FSS program involves goal setting, mentoring and financial
incentives to empower families in making positive life changes.
As a part of Aiken Housing Authority's FSS program, participants work with the HCV department staff to
develop a plan that outlines specific activities needed to achieve their economic self-sufficiency goals.
Throughout the program, the staff monitors participants' progress and helps them move toward self-
sufficiency. The Aiken Housing Authority's FSS services are in coordination with the Workforce
Investment Act, also known as the (WIA) program.
As participants achieve employment goals and increase household income from wages, their rent
increases. An amount equitable to the monthly rent increase is set aside each month into an escrow
savings account. When participants meet all of their goals and graduate from the program, they are
eligible to receive a payout of the escrow accrued during their participation.
Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs.
The Aiken Housing Authority is not designated as a troubled PHA. There are no plans by the City of
Aiken to provide financial assistance.
CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j)
Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land,
zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies
affecting the return on residential investment.
The City of Aiken’s Community Development Committee is a group of concerned citizens who have been
appointed by City Council to examine current housing-related challenges and conditions, assess existing
housing resources and programs, explore new housing resources, and propose objectives and strategies
that will set the direction of the City of Aiken’s housing policies and programs.
The Planning Commission adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow higher residential
density in the downtown area. The City’s Zoning Ordinance regulates zoning in the City of Aiken. The
ordinance is intended to ensure that development is compatible with existing and future needs of the
community, while promoting public health, safety, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, and
general welfare, in accordance with the purposes provided in Section 6-29-710, Code of Laws of South
Carolina. The Commission will continue to evaluate other amendments to encourage innovative
housing development in the city limits of Aiken.
The Building Inspection Division is responsible for Property Code Enforcement in the City of Aiken. The
City enforces the International Property Maintenance Code and the Aiken City Codes that govern the
general maintenance of the interior and the exterior of any structure, and the overall general
maintenance of the property area. The codes also cover structures that are substandard for living
conditions or structures that are dilapidated and need to be demolished.
The City of Aiken continues its Rental Registration Program in which landlords that own one or more
rental properties within the city limits must register with the City. This program is intended to be used
as a contact list in case of an emergency or if substandard conditions and city code violations have been
discovered.
Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k);
91.320(j)
The City of Aiken will continue working with local service agencies that assist low-income individuals and
those that are considered to be underserved to address their needs, as well as, provide assistance and
services for citizens through various programs and activities.
Underserved individuals, local service agencies and the general public can receive a City of Aiken
Community Resource Directory, which provides information for a list of resources such as food, clothing,
shelter, utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare, and education for adults, youth, seniors and
families in Aiken.
Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City of Aiken will comply with the stricter lead-based paint guidelines. The City is aware of the
guidelines implemented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in ensuring
contractors are certified renovators and in compliance with the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting
Final Rule (40 CFR 745) requirements. The City provides the "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your
Home" brochure to families before they receive emergency repair assistance. The "Lead Safe Housing
Requirements Screening Worksheet" is also completed before any rehab work is conducted to a home.
The City will also continue to work diligently to identify and abate asbestos in houses before they are
renovated or demolished with the assistance of a certified abatement agency.
Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City of Aiken continues its efforts in reducing poverty by collaborating with local agencies that offer
assistance to low income families such as ACTS, which offers numerous services. ACTS serves Aiken
County residents, individuals and families, which fall into the income levels of 150% or less of the
poverty guidelines. Over the past fiscal year, ACTS provided 11,231 services to 18,704 individuals.
Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency administers several services to those that are
considered underserved or low-income and seniors over the age of 60 years or older. Over the past
fiscal year, the Agency’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) assisted 318 individuals, the Low-
Income Home Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assisted 2,607 individuals, Weatherization
Assistance Program (WAP) assisted 95 individuals, Foster Grandparents Program (FGP) assisted 83
individuals, and funding through the CARES Act assisted 2,193 individuals.
Aiken Senior Life Services provides home delivered meals to home bound seniors that are 60 years old
or older. The agency also provides transportation services to all Aiken citizens throughout the county.
Over the past fiscal year, the agency provided meals to over 650 seniors and transported more than 100
patients per day or a total of 28,000 trips.
The American Red Cross provides five major services: 1) shelter, food, and care for survivors of disasters;
2) supply nearly half of the nation’s blood; 3) teach lifesaving skills through their health and safety
classes; 4) help military families cope with emergencies; and 5) provide humanitarian aid to people
worldwide.
The Aiken County Department of Social Services (DSS) offers several services that include: a Supplement
Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program - formerly known as the Food Stamp Program; the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program; Child Protective Services; clothing allowance; and
assistance through an independent living program for youth age 13 and older. Over the past fiscal year,
DSS provided SNAP benefits to 35,385,154 individuals, TANF assistance to 871,844 individuals, direct
client services and needs to 50,184 individuals, clothing allowance to 55,300 individuals, and assistance
for independent living to 10,739 youth.
The Salvation Army provides shelter to the homeless which includes a warm bed, shower, three meals a
day, plus snacks. Over the past fiscal year, 3,383 persons were served by the Salvation Army, 64,011
food boxes/groceries were given away, 28,456 cooked meals were provided and 6,688 nights of shelter
were provided.
The Aiken Housing Authority (AHA) administers the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). It is an
entitlement program designed to provide funds for eligible sponsoring organizations to serve nutritious
meals to low-income children when school is not in session. The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to
low-income children through age 18 years old. People over the age of 18 who are enrolled in school
programs for persons with disabilities may also participate in the SFSP. This past fiscal year, the AHA
provided a total of 56,056 meals over a period of eight weeks.
Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City of Aiken continues to work with the neighborhood associations and their leaders to strengthen
its internal organization so the groups can become a strong advocate for their neighborhood.
The City will continue to partner with other agencies and local universities to provide seminars and
workshops to its citizens. The City will continue to collaborate with USCA, Aiken Technical College, and
other public education partners to provide educational and engagement workshops, and events to
youth.
Neighborhood programs are conducted by the Aiken Public Safety Department’s Community Services
Division through its Safe Communities Initiative. This initiative is a unified, proactive community
approach to engage, educate and encourage recurring offenders to change their behavior and make
healthy life choices. Its aim is to reduce high levels of crime and recidivism in the community and under
the City’s original grid of Aiken’s Northside Revitalization.
An Asset-Based Capacity Development (ABCD) series is also offered through the Community Services
Division of Public Safety. ABCD has been used as a tool to develop community-driven solutions in public
health, community and economic development, education, and public safety.
Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social
service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City will continue collaborating with local agencies by sharing ideas and activities to assist one
another and citizens in need of particular services. The activities may involve community meetings with
non-profits, promotion of agencies’ efforts in the community, as well as, private developers.
The City of Aiken created its Economic Development Department in January, 2020, and recently
established the Aiken Municipal Development Commission. Through this partnership, the City plans to
focus on economic development activities, to include planning, land acquisition, housing, improvements
to public infrastructure, and workforce development. Plans are to create a program for placement of
low-and-moderate income applicants for employment opportunities generated by CDBG-eligible
economic development activities. Also, through its partnership with the Aiken Municipal Development
Commission and a local minority developer, using private funds, plans are to rehab five homes for
moderate-income families and construct a multi-family housing complex on the 100 block of
Williamsburg St, SE.
Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the
jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a)
Impediment 1: There is a great need for programs to provide information for future home-buyers. Pre-
housing counseling services that explain the costs and responsibilities of buying a home, housing
counseling for home owners, a greater familiarity with Fair Housing laws for future homeowners, and an
education on credit counseling are all needed greatly.
Actions to Date: The City is continuing its outreach efforts by partnering with the Lower Savannah
Council of Governments (LSCOG) and other local agencies to conduct workshops for the public. Due to
the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic, no public workshops were conducted this past fiscal year.
However, in recognition of Fair Housing Month, the City of Aiken placed an article on its website in April,
2021, titled "Fair Housing – It’s More Than Just Words!" along with a Fair Housing flyer, distributed a Fair
Housing flyer received from LSCOG, and a Proclamation was signed by the City of Aiken’s Mayor
recognizing April as Fair Housing Month.
Impediment 2: The City of Aiken has a need for more affordable family housing for first time buyers.
Actions to Date: The City of Aiken continues to collaborate with Second Baptist Church Community
Development Corporation as well as the Nehemiah Community Revitalization Corporation. The City
entered into a development agreement with both agencies to further affordable housing in low-and-
moderate income areas of the City to provide additional housing sites. The long-term goal of the City
has been improving conditions mainly on the north side of Aiken.
The City joined the Orangeburg County HOME consortium to be a gateway for community development
corporations within the city limits to apply for HOME funds for new construction on the north side of
Aiken.
The Second Baptist CDC received CHDO certification through the Lower Savannah Council of
Governments. A total of four affordable houses have been constructed on the 500 block of Abbeville
Ave, NW. Second Baptist CDC continues its plans to develop 15 vacant lots that they own and continue
to seek other funding opportunities to significantly impact the redevelopment of the Crosland Park
community.
The Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) purchased three lots on the 100 block of
Williamsburg St, a low-and-moderate income area, for future construction of multi-family units and
economic development. On the same block, a local developer is utilizing private funds to rehab
approximately five homes that will be rented to qualified moderate-income families, and construct two
new homes for sale to qualified moderate-income families within the next two years.
Three different private developers, Woodford Terrace, the Peaks of Aiken, and the Magnolia, which is a
senior development, have purchased building permits from the City of Aiken to construct affordable
housing apartment complexes within the city limits of Aiken utilizing income tax credits.
CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230
Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and
ending homelessness through:
Describe the standards and procedures that will be used to monitor activities carried
out in furtherance of the plan and will be used to ensure long-term compliance with
requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and
comprehensive planning requirements.
City of Aiken staff will continuously monitor programs and activities provided through the assistance of
CDBG funding. Those families assisted will provide documentation to prove eligibility described in the
program's guidelines. All contractors winning with the lowest bid will follow City and Federal
procurement regulations before work is awarded. Once work is completed, City staff will complete an
inspection to ensure all work was done in accordance to work write ups and proposals. The City of
Aiken will continue to post newspaper ads, utilize the S.C. Business Opportunity (SCBO) bulletin and
other means of advertising as an outreach to encourage minority and women businesses.
The City is actively working together in collaboration with other agencies such as the Aiken Chamber of
Commerce, SCORE, the Aiken Housing Authority, local churches, banks and other community
development corporations to continue to develop creative ways to reach minority and women
businesses as well as strengthen and enhance the quality of life for low-to-moderate income families in
Aiken.
The City of Aiken has provided on its website nondiscrimination information to include a Title IV Plan,
LEP Plan, ADA Transition Plan, Nondiscrimination Statement Policy and Complaint Procedures which can
be found at www.cityofaikensc.gov/Title IV.
Description of the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity
to comment on performance reports.
The City of Aiken posts public notices encouraging comments and timeframe on its City Cable Channel 4;
its website at www.cityofaikensc.gov; its Facebook page; the local newspaper (Aiken Standard
Newspaper); and places flyers in its recreational facilities as well as mail to neighborhood leaders and
local churches inviting and encouraging citizens to attend and participate.
Mailings, legal advertisements and other outreach efforts may be made to solicit input from a group of
organizations that serve minorities, low-and-moderate income persons, as well as persons with
disabilities and limited English proficient populations.
The City has also provided, on its website, their Public Participation Plan that describes the City's efforts
in providing citizens with actions for reasonable notices and avenues for making and/or submitting
comments.
CR-45-CDBG 91.520(c)
Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisd iction's program
objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a
result of its experiences.
The City of Aiken had to amend its Action Plan three (3) times before submitting to HUD for final
approval.
The first amendment was made to include funding received from the CARES Act (CDBG-CV) in
the amount of $117,639 to address impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These funds were
used to assist local businesses under special economic development assistance as a small
business revolving loan program ($100,000) and a small business assistance program ($17,639).
A 5-day comment period was held, in which no citizen comments were made.
The second amendment was made to reallocate existing CDBG funds from one activity to
another activity. A total of $110,000 was moved from the Demolition Program to create a Land
Acquisition Program. A 30-day comment period was held with five (5) citizen comments made.
The third amendment was to include additional funding received from the CARES Act (CDBG-CV)
in the amount of $201,843 to address impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These funds were
used to increase the small business revolving loan program by adding an additional $132,100. A
pandemic response & prevention program ($69,743) was added to purchase equipment and
supplies and provide COVID-19 testing to low-income citizens.
The above changes were positive and the programs made a great impact on those that were served.
Does this jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development
Initiative(BEDI) grants?
No