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CAPER (RDA) FY 2003-2004P.O. Box 1504 78-495 CALLE TAMPICO LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA 92253 August 11, 2004 Mr. Allan P. Bayer, Development Specialist RIVERSIDE COUNTY EDA Housing Rehabilitation and Ownership Division P. 0. Box 4637 Riverside, California 92514 M (760) 7 77-7000 FAX (760) 777-7101 Via Facsimile and First Class Mail (909) 352-4852 CITY OF LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Housing Activities: Dear Mr. Bayer: Attached is the CAPER report of housing activities by the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency for the July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 reporting period. You will find the sections listed below attached to this letter: Attachment 1 - Narrative, Sections I through IX - Residential Rehabilitation loan detail Table 1 - Households & Persons Assisted - Summary: all programs - Program: La Quinta Housing Program - (home purchase loans) - Program: La Quinta Housing Program - (residential rehabilitation loans) - Program: La Quinta Rental Housing - Program: Aventine Project - Spanos Corporation - Program: Assessment / Sewer Connection Subsidy Attachment 2 - Narrative - Project Area Map G:\WPDOCS\Letters-JH\CO-CAPER-performance 0411r.doc Mr. Allan P. Bayer, Development Specialist RIVERSIDE COUNTY EDA Housing Rehabilitation and Ownership Division P. 0. Box 4637 Riverside, California 92514 August 11, 2004 If you have any questions regarding the content of this report, please contact the Agency's housing consultant, Nancy Madrid of Rosenow Spevacek Group (RSG) at (714) 541-4585 extension 106, or Becky Caha at extension 105 can assist you.. Very truly yours, f J Y HERMAN Community Development Director JH:bc:bjs cc: Frank Spevacek / Nancy Madrid, RSG Enclosures G:\WPDOCS\Letters-JH\Co-CAPER-performance 04 Itr.doc CITY OF LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ATTACHMENT 1 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT HOUSING ACTIVITIES; July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004 Homeownership Programs for First -Time Homebuyers and Lower -Income (under 80% of median) Households. The Agency continues to provide homeownership opportunities to lower income households through the La Quinta Housing Program, the sale of Agency -owned rental units. Although the programs are not restricted to first-time homebuyers, the majority of those who qualify for and purchase homes through these programs are first-time buyers. To assist in their efforts to provide affordable home ownership to lower-income households, the Agency has provided home purchase second trust deed loan assistance since the 1996-97 fiscal year through the La Quinta Housing Program. The Agency loans fund the difference between the maximum first loan a buyer can obtain and the purchase price less the minimum required 3% down payment. During this reporting period, households with incomes of up to 50% of median could receive up to 60% of the purchase price less down payment and those having incomes from 51% to 80% of median could receive up to $85,000, from the Agency toward their home purchase. The program also provides loans of up to $40,000 to moderate income households to assist in their home purchase. The Agency loans do not require monthly payments. Those funded have recorded 45 years affordability covenants and a resale restriction pursuant to AB 637. If the owner is unable to sell the property, the Agency has right of first refusal before agreeing to removal of the unit from its affordable housing stock and sale at market rates. In this event, the Agency loan must be repaid along with a shared appreciation percentage in lieu of interest on the loan. This Program has been funded annually since 1996 and has assisted a total of 211 households with an opportunity for home ownership, 22 during the current reporting period. The AclencV-owned rental properties described in Section V below are rented to tenants having incomes at 50% or less of County median income. Those who have been able to improve their work opportunities and qualify for a first mortgage loan are also eligible for assistance in the purchase of their home through an Agency funded second trust deed loan. To date, 10 properties have been sold through this program and the loans remain available to the other tenants. Rehabilitation and Neighborhood Improvement Programs. The Agency provides residential rehabilitation loans and special circumstance grants for owner and renter -occupied single and multi -family units, also through the La Quinta Housing Program. Loans of up to $25,000 for a 15 year term at a 4% interest rate are available to very low, low and moderate income households. Loans funded after January 1, 2001 that constitute substantial rehabilitation contain 45 year covenants. Very low and low income households are not required to make payments during the first 5 years of the loan although interest will accrue during that time. Thereafter, monthly principal and interest payments are required and any outstanding principal and accrued interest are due upon sale of the unit. Moderate income households who receive rehabilitation loans are required to make monthly payments for the term of the loan. Since inception, this program has funded 13 loans to very low, low and moderate income households, with 1 loan funded during this reporting period to a moderate income household. The details of this loan are provided on that attached table. The loans must be used to address specific targeted property improvements which were formulated to upgrade an aging housing stock. Property owners can use these funds to correct code violations, refurbish the exterior of the property, make security improvements, or install energy efficiency improvements. Additionally, through the La Quinta Housing Program, the Agency acquires abandoned, dilapidated single family properties. After substantially rehabilitating the structure and upgrading the landscaping, the properties are sold as affordable units to income -eligible households. There was no activity during the current reporting period. III. Housing for Farmworkers and Migrant Farmworkers. The Agency has not provided housing opportunities that specifically address these housing needs, although many of its resources have been devoted to households earning less than 50% of County median income. Many City residents are employed in the agricultural industry and have been the recipients of assistance through other Agency - sponsored affordable housing programs. IV. Shelter for the Homeless. The Agency has not provided a program dedicated to this issue. Because of the size of the City of La Quinta and its geographic location, homelessness is not as great a problem as it is in other areas. V. Rental Assistance Programs. In 1995, the Agency purchased fifty (50) single family homes which were rented to very low income, Section 8 assisted households when the owner/developer filed bankruptcy; the 40 homes that have not been sold to the existing tenants have continued to be rented to very low income households at an affordable rent. The Agency contracts for property management services and maintenance of the units. The units have all received exterior renovation, which includes new paint, landscaping, driveway renovation, and fencing renovation to maintain the properties in a similar condition to other, owner -occupied properties, and to qualify them as substantially rehabilitated. VI. New Construction of Affordable Rental Housing. Through a developer Affordable Housing Agreement executed in December, 2000, the Agency assisted in the construction of 118 senior rental units in the Miraflores mixed-use project. The agreement requires 117 units to be income restricted, 70 to very low income households; 24 to low income households; and 23 to moderate income households. During the current reporting period, the 118 of the income restricted units were rented. Through a developer Affordable Housing Agreement executed in October, 2002, the Agency assisted in the construction of senior housing rental units for the Hadley Villas. Construction has been completed on these units during this reporting period. The agreement requires 81 units be rented to very low income senior citizens. Through a developer Affordable Housing Agreement executed in June, 2003, the Agency assisted in the construction of the Silverhawk Apartments located at Eisenhower and Tampico. Construction has been completed on these units during this reporting period. The agreement requires 75 units to be income restricted to moderate income households VII. New Construction of Affordable Special Needs Housing. Please refer to Section VII above. VIII. Other Housing Programs. In addition to the housing programs described above, the Agency has entered into a developer agreement with Santa Rosa Development for the development of 149 single family detached homes to provide homes for senior citizens. The Agreement provides that the units be income restricted for moderate income senior citizen households. This project is scheduled to break ground in the fall of 2004. The Agency has also entered into an agreement with CP Development for the development of Center Point, a mixed-use (residential and commercial) project on Miles and Washington. This project will have 40 residential units restricted for moderate income, and construction is anticipated to commence in spring 2005. IX. Use of Redevelopment Housing Set -Aside Fund: Fund Balance on July 1, 2003: $ 10,170,704.00 Total Deposits — 7/1/03 — 6/30/04: $ 77,398,182.00 Total Expenditures — 7/1/03 — 6/30/04: $ [20,761,097.00] Fund Balance on June 30, 2004: $ 66,807,789.00 (unaudited) REHAB LOAN DETAIL There was no activity on this program during the current report year. CITY OF LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ATTACHMENT 2 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT HOUSING ACTIVITIES; July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004 A. Resources Made Available Within the Jurisdiction During this reporting period, the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency (the "Agency") expended $20,761,097 in direct assistance from its Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund to fund the implementation of eight (8) active affordable housing programs. The Agency has not used other funding sources in meeting their affordable housing goals. The Agency contracts with a redevelopment and housing consulting firm to formulate and implement its affordable housing programs and ensure the programs and residents are afforded professional assistance on housing related issues. By working closely with City and Agency staff, the entire project team is able to proactively address and meet community needs. Every program that was projected for implementation during the current reporting period has moved forward even though the funds that were allocated were not fully expended due to the lengthy time periods involved in new construction to meet the Agency's inclusionary housing requirements, real estate acquisition efforts and property refurbishment programs. B. Investment of Available Resources The Agency's adopted current affordable housing programs address many of the goals the County has defined in their Consolidated Plan, including homeownership opportunities, improvement of substandard housing, and conditions of existing rental housing affordable to low income households. (Program definition) The Agency's affordable housing efforts consist of the programs described below which have provided assistance to approximately 1,016 very low, low and moderate income households since 1989: La Quinta Housing Program. When property values started declining throughout the State several years ago, the Agency was faced with an aging housing stock in need of upgrading as well as an increasing number of properties being abandoned through foreclosure when the owner was unable to sell. To address these conditions and instances of neighborhood neglect, in addition to continuing its efforts to work with developers in providing new affordable housing construction, the Agency adopted the La Quinta Housing Program (the "Housing Program") in November, 1996. This program continues and is being made available in both Project Areas No. 1 and No. 2. It incorporates the following elements to address the City's housing needs: second trust deed home purchase loans, • residential rehabilitation loans, Agency acquisition/rehabilitation/resale of dilapidated vacant homes, and • Agency resale program. The Home Purchase Loan element of this Program has been funded annually and has assisted a total of 233 households with an opportunity for home ownership, 22 during the current reporting period. The loans are not restricted to first time homebuyers, but most of the families who receive loans are in fact first time homebuyers. Residential rehabilitation loans are available to property owners of single family, owner -occupied or rental units and to small multi -family apartment complexes. 14 residential rehabilitation loans have been provided to eligible property owners since this effort was adopted and additional applications are currently under review for property improvements on single family owner -occupied units. The Agency acquired 2 dilapidated single family homes in early 1998. One of the homes was too structurally dilapidated for refurbishment and was subsequently demolished; this lot has been sold for development and will be sold as an income restricted unit. The second home has been refurbished and was sold during the 2000-01 fiscal year as an affordable unit. The Agency is researching additional properties to be included in this program. The Agency additionally repurchases units which have previously received second trust loans and have recorded affordability covenants when a foreclosure sale is imminent to preserve the affordability covenants. After any needed repairs are made, the property is marketed and resold to another income eligible household to preserve the existing affordability covenants. Developer Affordable Housing Agreements. Between 1992 and the end of the current reporting period, the Agency assisted a total of 106 very low, low and moderate income households by providing a means for home ownership, and provided affordable rental housing to 118 income eligible households through Affordable Housing Agreements with for-profit and non-profit developers. Assistance was provided in the form of land purchase costs, and "silent" second trust deed loans to the home purchaser. Affordable Housing Agreements have been negotiated for the construction of several additional mixed-use housing projects. During this reporting period, the 10th year of a program with Building Horizons was completed. In this program, homes are constructed by the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley under expert construction supervision and sold to income -eligible households. During this reporting period, there were no affordable constructed during this reporting period. This program has now constructed a total of 19 affordable housing units in Project Area No. 1. Sewer Connection Subsidy Program. Since 1989, the Agency has provided property owner assistance to approximately 520 income eligible households through subsidy of the costs associated with a street improvement assessment, abandonment of the septic tank system, and connection to the sewer lines. This program was available in both Project Areas through the formation of assessment districts; it is expanded to each assessment district as it is formed to provide City sewer service to residents. The program was discontinued in March, 2003. La Quinta Rental Housing Program. In 1995, the Agency purchased 50 single family homes which were rented to very low income, Section 8 assisted households when the owner/developer filed bankruptcy; these homes have continued to be rented to very low income households. Since that time, with Agency assistance in the form of second trust deed home purchase loans, 1 vacant unit was sold to an eligible low income household and 9 additional units have been sold to the occupying tenants who have been able to secure first mortgage financing. The remaining very low income tenants are being provided with an opportunity to purchase the home they rent also through the provision of Agency funded second trust deed home purchase loans. These programs are funded annually and are located within the boundaries of Project Area No. 1 and Project Area No. 2; a project area map is attached. (Funding) This program and all other Agency -funded affordable housing programs are funded by the Agency's Low and Moderale Income Housing Fund from set-aside tax increment revenue. The Agency has not utilized any other or outside funding sources. Any budgeted funds not expended in a fiscal year are annually carried over and added to the next year's funding allocation, ultimately providing 100% utilization of budgeted funds. (Public Contact) The Agency actively utilizes its City staff as a liaison with the public to provide a high level of public awareness regarding the assistance that is available to address their needs. By ensuring that Code Enforcement, Building Department and Community Development personnel are aware of program availability, the Agency utilizes its "first line" public contact to address individual property and property owner situations. C. Households and Persons Assisted The following Table 1 forms have been prepared for each of the Agency's housing programs that were funded and provided assistance during the reporting period, along with a summary tabulating the results of the individual programs. LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Redevelopment Project Areas Project Area Boundaries s r. mmmw NORTH I IAVENUE44 '-7 k1w NOT A PART J HIGHWAY 111 LLI 1, AVENUE 48). AVENUE 54 Exisling Project Areo No. 2 Existing Project Area No. I AVENUE: 54 LU THE COVE z 01 44 LU LL. LL. Lu Avr- J Aw�i M UE 56 TABLE 1 - SUMMARY (all programs) Households & Persons Assisted with Housing, including Emergency Shelter and/or Supportive Services Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 form HUD -40090-A (1/93) (A) Program Name: (C) Total Funds Committed: $28.537.485 (F) Funds Leveraged ALL PROGRAMS Amount: g 0 Source(s): (D) Funds Available (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $6.720,170 (G) Match Source(s): (B) Funding Source: Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (E) Funds Expended (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $21,817,315 Amount: 0 Renters Owners Homeless Non - Elderly Small Large Ist-Time Buyers (H) Assistance Provided Homeless Total by Income Group & 2 Member Related Related All Other Total Existing with Total Individuals Families Special Total Section 215 Households (2 to 4) 5 or more Households Renters Homeowners Children All Others Homeowners Needs (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (1) (J) (K) (L) (M) (hl) 1. Very Low -Income (0 to 30% MFI) 11 11 11 2. Very Low -Income (31 to 50% MFI) 46 26 14 86 1 1 87 3. Other Low -Income (51 to 80%t? of MFl) 22 22 I 10 3 14 36 13 4. Total Low -Income (lines 1 + 2 + 3) 79 26 14 119 1 10 4 15 134 13 5. Moderate Income (81 % to 120% of MFI) 3 3 6 1 1 7 10 7 * Homeless families and individuals assisted with transitional or permanent housing Total 144 33 (I) Geographic Location Banning Murrieta (J) Racial/Ethnic Composition I. Hispanic Number 42 of Total 29%n 92 64%n Beaumont Blythe Norco Palm Desert 2. White (Non -Hispanic) Calimesa Canyon Lake Perris San Jacinto 3. Black 10 7% Cathedral City Desert Hot Springs Indio Temecula Other (please list) 4. Native American 5. Asian & Lake Elsinore Riverside Pacific Islander La Quinta XX Palm Springs 6. Other 0 0% 7. Total must equal Total on 144 100% line 4, column (M) TABLE 1 Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 Households & Persons July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 Assisted with Housing, including Emergency Shelter and/or Supportive Services form HUD -40090-A (1/93) (A) Program Name: (C) Total Funds Committed: $13,580,877 (F) Funds Leveraged La Quinta Housing Program - (LQHP project total) Amount: g 0 Source(s): Home Purchase Loans (D) Funds Available (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $3,000,000 (G) Match Source(s): (B) Funding Source: (available for home purchase loans) Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (E) Funds Expended (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $1,449,716 Amount: $ 0 Renters Owners Homeless * Non - Elderly Small Large i st-Time Buyers (H) Assistance Provided Homeless Total by Income Group & 2 Member Related Related All Other Total Existing withTotal Individuals Families Special Total Section 215 Households (2 to 4) 5 or more Households Renters Homeowners Children All Others Homeowners Needs (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (Cs) (H) (1) (J) (K) (L) (M) (N) 1. Very Low -Income (0 to 30% MFI 2. Very Low -Income (31 to 50% MFI) l 1 3. Other Low -Income (51 to 80% of MFI) 1 10 3 14 14 13 4. Total Low -Income (lines 1 + 2 + 3) ] 1 10 5 15 15 14 5. Moderate Income (81% to 120% of MFI) 6 1 7 7 7 Homeless families and individuals assisted with transitional or permanent housing Total 22 ?I (I) Geographic Location Banning Murrieta (J) Racial/Ethnic Composition 1. Hispanic Number 12 % of Total 66% Beaumont Norco 2. White Blythe Palm Desert (Non -Hispanic) 10 t 34% Calimesa Perris Canyon Lake San Jacinto 3. Black Cathedral City Temecula Desert Hot Springs Indio Other (please list) 4. Native American 5. Asian & Lake Elsinore Riverside Pacific Islander La Quinta XX Palm Springs 6. Other 7. Total must equal Total on 22 100% line 4, column (M) TABLE 1 Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 Households & Persons July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 Assisted with Housing, including Emergency Shelter and/or Supportive Services form HUD -40090-A (1/93) (A) Program Name: (C) Total Funds Committed: $5.156.608 (F) Funds Leveraged La Quinta Rental Housing Program Amount: 0 Source(s): (D) Funds Available (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $220,170 (G) Match Source(s): (B) Funding Source: Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (E) Funds Expended (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $177,597 Amount: $ 0 Renters Owners Homeless * Non - Elderly Small Large 1 st-Time Buyers (H) Assistance Provided Homeless Total by Income Group & 2 Member Related Related All Other Total Existing with Total Individuals Families Special Total Section 215 Households (2 to 4) 5 or more Households Renters Homeowners Children All Others Homeowners', Needs (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (1) (J) (K) (L) (M) (N) 1. Very Low -Income (0 to 30% MFI 2. Very Low -Income 31 to 50% MFI) 26 14 40 40 3. Other Low -Income 51 to 80% of MFI) 4. Total Low -Income [fines 1 + 2 + 3) 26 14 40 40 5. Moderate Income 81 % to 120% of MFI) Homeless families and individuals assisted with transitional or permanent housing Total 40 0 (I) Geographic Location Banning Murrieta (J) Racial/Ethnic Composition I. Hispanic Number 19 %of Total 44% Beaumont Norco 2. White Blythe Palm Desert (Non -Hispanic) 10 25% Calimesa Perris Canyon Lake San Jacinto 3. Black 10 25% Cathedral City Desert Hot Springs Indio Temecula Other (please list) 4. Native American 5. Asian & Lake Elsinore Riverside Pacific Islander La Quinta XX Palm Springs 6. Other 1 3% 7. Total must equal Total on 40 100% line 4, column (M) TABLE 1 Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 Households & Persons July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 Assisted with Housing, including Emergency Shelter and/or Supportive Services form HUD -40090-A (1/93) (A) Program Name: (C) Total Funds Committed: $300.000 (F) Funds Leveraged Aventine - Spanos Corporation Amount: $ 0 Source(s): (D) Funds Available (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $0 (G) Match Source(s): (B) Funding Source: Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (E) Funds Expended (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $0 Amount: g 0 Renters Owners Homeless * Non - Elderly Small Large 1st -Time Buyers (H) Assistance Provided Homeless Total by Income Group & 2 Member Related Related All Other Total Existing with Total Individuals Families Special Total Section 215 Households (2 to 4) 5 or more Households Renters Homeowners Children All Others Homeowners Needs (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (I) (J) (K) (L) (M) (N) 1. Very Low -Income 0 to 30% MFd 2. Very Low -Income (31 to 50%r. MFl) 3. Other Low -Income (51 to 80% of MFI) 6 6 6 4. Total Low -Income (lines 1+ 2+ 3) 6 6 6 5. Moderate Income (81 % to 120% of MFl) 3 3 3 * Homeless families and individuals assisted with transitional or permanent housing Total 9 (I) Geographic Location (,T) Racial/Ethnic Composition Number % of Total Banning Murrieta 1. His anic 3 66% Beaumont Norco 2. White Blythe Palm Desert (Non -His anic) 6 34% Calimesa Perris Canyon Lake San Jacinto 3. Black Cathedral City Temecula Desert Hot Springs Other 4. Native American Indio (please list) 5. Asian & Lake Elsinore Riverside Pacific Islander La Quinta XX Palm Springs 6. Other 7. Total must equal Total on 9 100% line 4, column (M) TABLE 1 Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 Households & Persons July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 Assisted with Housing, including Emergency Shelter and/or Supportive Services form HUD -40090-A (1/93) (A) Program Name: (C) Total Funds Committed: $9,500,000 (F) Funds Leveraged Seasons @ Miraflores Amount: g 0 Source(s): (D) Funds Available (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $3,500,000 (G) Match Source(s): (B) Funding Source: Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (E) Funds Expended (7-1-03 to 6-30-04): $1,000,000 Amount: g 0 Renters Owners Homeless * Non - Elderly Small Large st-Time Buyers (H) Assistance Provided Homeless Total by Income Group & 2 Member Related Related All Other Total Existing with Total Individuals Families Special Total Section 215 Households (2 to 4) 5 or more Households Renters Homeowners Children All Others Homeowners Needs (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (I) (J) (K) (L) (M) (Ni 1. Very Low -Income (0 to 30%n MF!) 11 2. Very Low -Income (31 to 50% MFO 46 46 3. Other Low -Income 51 to 80% of MFI) 16 16 4. Total Low -Income (lines] +2+3) 73 73 5. Moderate Income (81% to 120% of MFI) Homeless families and individuals assisted with transitional or permanent housing Total 73 (I) Geographic Location (J) Racial/Ethnic Composition Number h: of To€tel Banning Murrieta I. His anic 8 11%n Beaumont Norco 2. White Blythe Palm Desert (Non -Hispanic) 65 89% Calimesa Perris Canyon Lake San Jacinto 3. Black Cathedral City Temecula Desert Hot Springs Other 4. Native American Indio (please list) 5. Asian & Lake Elsinore Riverside Pacific Islander La Quinta XX Palm Springs 6. Other 7. Total must equal Total on 73 100% line 4, column (M) The Agency maintains complete detail records for each of the affordable housing programs funded. These records are maintained at the offices of the Agency's housing consultant, Rosenow Spevacek Group, 309 West 4th Street, Santa Ana, California 92701. The contact person is Becky Caha, Senior Analyst, who can be reached at (714) 541-4585 extension 105, or bcaha@webrsg.corn . During this reporting period, Agency assistance was provided to the programs and income categories identified in the chart below: Program Total # Units Very Low Low Moderate 2td Home Purchase Loans 19 0 12 7 A ency Rental Units 40 40 0 0 Rental Housing Sales 3 1 2 0 Aventine Project 9 0 6 3 Seasons @ Miraflores 73 57 16 0 TOTALS 144 98 36 10 The Agency's housing programs were not designed to address the needs of specific racial and/or ethnic groups, but rather the community as a whole. The community is inhabited by a large number of households who provide seasonal labor to the agricultural industry and who work in the tourism industry, which is also seasonally affected due to the climate of the area. The population in the City is generally evenly mixed between families and senior citizens, with a large number of Hispanic households. As indicated by the Racial/Ethnic composition statistics presented in Table 1, the Agency's housing programs are serving the population in close proportion to the population characteristics of the area. D. Other Actions Undertaken As is evidenced by the number of programs and units assisted, the types of affordable housing programs, and the level of funding allocated to affordable housing since 1989, both the Agency and City staff strive to maintain a high level of awareness to the needs of the community. Responding to community needs has been and continues to be a primary focus of the Agency. They have formulated an approach that provides affordable housing throughout the City in both of the Redevelopment Project Areas, rather than in a particular neighborhood. The Agency uses consultants to work as an extension of City staff who are experienced in formulating definitive affordable housing programs that address and meet the needs of the community. These teams of City/consultant staff implement and administer these programs, and strive to maintain an on-going relationship with the recipients of the assistance and the community as a whole.