Human Services Investment Outcomes

The Office of Community Development supports activities, which accomplish the following U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the City of Ann Arbor, and Washtenaw Urban County Priorities and Investment Targets.

HUD Performance Measurement Changes- New

In late 2003, HUD released an announcement that they would begin to develop a performance measurement system to quantify the impact of the Community Development Block Grant and other HUD programs. The general purpose of these changes was to clearly demonstrate program results at a national level. The challenges of the new system were: 1) to design it in a way to preserve program flexibility, 2) to capture multiple outcomes, 3) to recognize that projects were done for a variety of reasons in different markets/communities, 4) to use readily available data, and 5) to focus on outcomes that could be "rolled up" nationally. In late 2005, HUD finalized and released their new system to all CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG grantees (local governments, nonprofits, states, etc.). All grantees were charged with implementing the system and ensuring that all contracts written with that funding would meet the national objectives and outcomes. Therefore, beginning in the 2006-07 program year, all Office of Community Development-funded CDBG human services projects must meet one of the following HUD objectives and outcomes.

HUD OBJECTIVES

• Suitable Living Environment
• Decent Housing
• Economic Opportunity

HUD OUTCOMES

• Improve Availability/ Accessibility: Makes Basics Available to Low- and Moderate-Income Persons
• Improve Affordability: Makes an Activity More Affordable for Low- and Moderate-Income Persons
• Improve Sustainability: Using Resources in a Targeted Area to Help Make that Area More Viable

City of Ann Arbor

Following are the high priority, City of Ann Arbor human service investment targets, as identified in the 2005-09 Consolidated Strategy and Plan. As noted above, all CDBG-funded programs must also fit into the new HUD Outcomes and Objectives.

Increase Housing Stability

• Reduce the incidence and onset of homelessness
• Reduce the negative impact and duration of homelessness
• Provide homeownership or supportive housing opportunities
• Provide emergency shelter for those who are homeless

Increase Access to Health & Well-being

• Provide affordable primary and specialty medical, dental, pre-natal and mental health care, or substance abuse services for under or non-insured
• Provide emergency food and / or nutritional supplements

Increase Long-term Success of At-Risk Youth

• Provide after school / summer academic enrichment activities
• Provide job skills training
• Provide opportunities for community involvement, civic engagement and leadership training

Increase Family Economic Stability

• Provide access to quality, affordable childcare
• Assist persons with special needs to achieve and maintain maximum level of independence
• Provide services to increase employability and assistance needed to obtain employment
• Provide emergency shelter for those who are homeless

Washtenaw Urban County

Following are the high- and medium-priority human service needs and investment targets for the Washtenaw Urban County Executive Committee, as identified in the 2003-08 Consolidated Strategy and Plan. As noted above, all CDBG-funded programs must also fit into the new HUD Outcomes and Objectives.

High Priority Needs

• Senior Services
• Transportation Services

Medium Priority Needs

• Supportive Services to Prevent Homelessness
• Youth Services
• Employment Training
• Crime Awareness
• Supportive Services to Persons with Disabilities
• Child Care Services
• Health Services

Urban County Investment Targets

• Increase Access to Community Resources and Services
• Increase Access to Public Services that Support Housing & Community Stability
• Increase Access to Transportation, Economic Opportunities, and Housing