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CAPER 1 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) PROGRAM YEAR 2022 (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023) CAPER 2 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes 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. Program Year 2022 encompassed the period October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. During this period, the Territory (and indeed the world) slowly emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. The national state of emergency - which was first declared in March 2020 and that had resulted in many impacts on programs due to the continued suspension of many activities – was finally lifted. Some of the most notable impacts of the pandemic had been on the CDBG Program where after-school programs comprise many of the funded public service programs. While schools were shuttered and students attended classes virtually, many after-school programs were suspended as only a small number of the after-school programs had been able to pivot to a virtual learning environment. With the resumption of in-person learning, many of the programs were able to resume during the current program year. Likewise, many of the CDBG-funded capital projects had been negatively impacted by ongoing COVID precautionary measures and challenges due to world-wide supply chain issues. The easing of the impacts on public service as well as capital projects allowed for the regular CDBG Program to make strides during the program year. With respect to the HOME Program, here in the Territory, HOME funds are used exclusively for homebuyer assistance. While the easing of the pandemic improved construction impacts, the expenditure rate of HOME funds continued to be impacted other issues such as the rapidly increasing construction costs and the lack of production of affordable units. In an effort to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act which included numerous relief programs. Some of the notable programs included supplemental allocations under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The Territory had successfully submitted a Substantial Amendment to its 2019 Annual Action Plan in February 2021 as required to secure the CDBG and ESG CARES Act funding. During Program Year 2022, bolstered by technical assistance around developing program application processes, etc., the Territory continued activity under the ESG CARES (ESG-CV) initiative. Six (6) subrecipients had been selected in Program Year 2021 to implement a total of nine programs across the Territory. During the current program year, a total of $278,079.37 was drawn down under ESG-CV. Subrecipients continued to carry out eligible activities through the program expenditure deadline of September 30; given that the program operates on a reimbursement basis, it is anticipated that the bulk of draw downs will occur during the first quarter of Program Year 2023. During Program Year 2022, the jurisdiction conducted a second round of solicitations for projects to be funded under CDBG-CV (a first round of solicitations for projects had been conducted in PY 2021). A total of ten (10) projects have been selected to carry out activities funded with CDBG-CV funds for a total of $2,259,316.00. During the program year, a total of $119,387.62 was drawn under CDBG-CV. CAPER 3 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Originally, the Territory anticipated completion of a new 5-year Consolidated Plan covering the period of Program Years 2020- 2024. The plan should have been submitted in August 2020; however, the Territory took advantage of a waiver offered by HUD which allowed jurisdictions to delay submission of new Consolidated Plans by up to 12 months. The 2020-24 Plan along with the first- year Action Plan was finally approved in September 2022. The 2022 Program Year Action Plan was submitted in August 2022; the 2022 Action Plan was substantially amended in July 2023 to incorporate the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. 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. Goal Category Source / Amount Indicator Unit of Measure Expected – Strategic Plan Actual – Strategic Plan Percent Complete Increase and preserve affordable housing units Affordable Housing Public Housing CDBG: $100000 / HOME: $1,111,015 / HTF: $394,529 Rental units constructed Household Housing Unit 15 0 0.00% Increase and preserve affordable housing units Affordable Housing Public Housing HOME: $1,111,015 / HTF: $394,529 Rental units rehabilitated Household Housing Unit 0 0 0.00% Increase and preserve affordable housing units Affordable Housing Public Housing HOME: $1,111,015 / HTF: $394,529 Direct Financial Assistance to Homebuyers Households Assisted 40 10 40.00% Provide services and community support Homeless Non- Homeless Special Needs CDBG: $195,707 Public service activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Persons Assisted 1500 310 0.00% Provide services and community support Homeless Non- Homeless Special Needs CDBG: $195,707 Public service activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Households Assisted 0 0 0.00% CAPER 4 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Reduce and prevent homelessness Homeless CDBG: $1,157,042 / ESG: $434,614 Tenant-based rental assistance / Rapid Rehousing Households Assisted 30 0 0.00% Reduce and prevent homelessness Homeless CDBG: $1,157,042 / ESG: $434,614 Homeless Person Overnight Shelter Persons Assisted 300 0 0.00% Reduce and prevent homelessness Homeless CDBG: $1,157,042 / ESG: $434,614 Overnight/Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing Beds added Beds 385 0 0.00% Reduce and prevent homelessness Homeless CDBG: $1,157,042 / ESG: $434,614 Homelessness Prevention Persons Assisted 75 0 0.00% Support community and economic development Non-Housing Community Development CDBG: $91,000 Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Persons Assisted 50 0 0.00% Support community and economic development Non-Housing Community Development CDBG: $91,000 Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Households Assisted 10 0 0.00% Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date 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. Originally, the Territory anticipated completion of a new 5-year Consolidated Plan covering the period of Program Years 2020- 2024. The plan should have been submitted in August 2020; however, the Territory took advantage of a waiver offered by HUD in response to the pandemic which allowed jurisdictions to postpone submission of new Consolidated Plans. After some challenges, the Territory's PY 2020-24 Consolidated Plan was finally approved in September 2022. During the period covered by this CAPER, the Territory continued to implement ongoing activities which addressed the priorities and objectives identified in the previous plan (i.e., the 2015-2019 Plan) – completion of which had been delayed by the pandemic. The Territory also began to implement activities under the new Consolidated Plan (the CAPER 5 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) priorities and objectives identified in the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan closely align with those of the previous Plan). Activities have been identified and approved for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 funds to date; all approved activities address the priorities and specific objectives identified in the PY 2020-24 Consolidated Plan. CAPER 6 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted). 91.520(a) CDBG HOME ESG HTF White 15 0 0 0 Black or African American 209 2 0 0 Asian 0 0 0 0 American Indian or American Native 0 0 0 0 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 0 0 0 Total 224 3 0 0 Hispanic 21 1 0 0 Not Hispanic 203 2 0 0 Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds Narrative CAPER 7 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) Identify the resources made available Source of Funds Source Resources Made Available Amount Expended During Program Year CDBG public - federal 1,804,687 713,368 HOME public - federal 1,262,950 121,366 ESG public - federal 164,825 24,657 HTF public - federal 394,529 0 Table 3 - Resources Made Available Narrative The expenditures reported above represent prior years' funds expended in the 2022 Program Year. No PY 2022 funds were expended during the period (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023). Given the slow progress of earlier year projects during the pandemic, many activities conducted during the period were still operating on prior year grant funds. Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Percentage of Allocation Actual Percentage of Allocation Narrative Description N/A; no target areas Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative No target areas are identified in the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan or the 2022 Action Plan. Consistent with the identified need, the distribution of investments of funding is Territory-wide. Activities conducted during the reporting period benefitted low- and moderate-income persons across all three islands appropriate to the funded program. The Territory has recognized the benefit of focusing funding to achieve maximum benefit in particular areas, if the opportunity should arise, so that neighborhoods are lifted out of poverty or business areas are revitalized to create or retain badly needed jobs and safe housing. Funding allocations are consistent with the priorities identified in the Territory's 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and also the input received during the citizen participation process conducted in conjunction with the development of the Consolidated Plan as well as the PY 2021 and PY 2022 Action Plans. For CDBG, the distribution is 50/50 between St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John as required by local law. For HOME, the assistance is on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants; thus there is no geographic allocation priority. For ESG and also HTF, funds are awarded based on a competitive CAPER 8 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) application process. Proposals are ranked using criteria outlined an evaluation tool that has been developed for each respective program. 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. As an insular area, there is no requirement for the Virgin Islands to match ESG, HOME or HTF funding. The match for the CDBG program will be provided primarily by nonprofit subrecipient organizations through their own fundraising, in-kind services, and, in some cases, from sources such as United Way. Although there is no formal match requirement for the ESG program, many of the ESG subrecipients are nonprofit organizations (such as Catholic Charities, Methodist Training and Outreach, Inc., Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, and St. Croix Mission Outreach) and they also provide in-kind match as well as through staff salaries and other grants they receive. The Territory looks to funds from other sources including local government, nonprofit organizations, fund-raising and community foundations to supplement federal grants. In addition to matches described above, resources from USDA, Housing Choice Vouchers, Emergency Housing Vouchers, local Homestead Loan funds, federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the local Stamp Tax, and the Virgin Islands government have increased the ability to meet Territorial needs. The Territory currently benefits from CDBG-DR and FEMA funds after the 2017 hurricanes that are critical in accomplishing goals of reconstruction as well as meeting goals set out above. The local PHA, Virgin Islands Housing Authority, has adopted the aggressive asset repositioning plan for development of a new face of public housing. VIHA’s plan centers around engagement in public-private partnerships to accomplish RAD deals for the development of new communities and rehabilition of existing properties. Some of the projects entail multiple funding sources to include Low Income Housing Tax Credits, CDBG-DR and FEMA funds. HOME Program funds for home ownership assistance are used primarily as subsidy (secondary) financing in conjunction with primary financing provided by other lenders. HOME funds are used for mortgage buy downs, closing cost assistance and filling other gaps in lending requirements. For a majority of the assisted households, USDA Rural Development’s 502 Direct Lending Program (a federally funded program) provides the primary financing. Rural Development provides subsidized mortgages for very-low and low-income families. This increases the number of households VIHFA is able to assist. In other cases, on a limited basis, local government lending programs or convential lenders provide the primary financing. CAPER 9 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Fiscal Year Summary – HOME Match 1. Excess match from prior Federal fiscal year 0 2. Match contributed during current Federal fiscal year 0 3. Total match available for current Federal fiscal year (Line 1 plus Line 2) 0 4. Match liability for current Federal fiscal year 0 5. Excess match carried over to next Federal fiscal year (Line 3 minus Line 4) 0 Table 5 – Fiscal Year Summary - HOME Match Report CAPER 10 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year Project No. or Other ID Date of Contribution Cash (non-Federal sources) Foregone Taxes, Fees, Charges Appraised Land/Real Property Required Infrastructure Site Preparation, Construction Materials, Donated labor Bond Financing Total Match Table 6 – Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year Program Income – Enter the program amounts for the reporting period Balance on hand at beginning of reporting period $ Amount received during reporting period $ Total amount expended during reporting period $ Amount expended for TBRA $ Balance on hand at end of reporting period $ 0 0 0 0 0 Table 7 – Program Income HOME MBE/WBE report CAPER 11 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business Enterprises – Indicate the number and dollar value of contracts for HOME projects completed during the reporting period Total Minority Business Enterprises White Non- Hispanic Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Contracts Dollar Amount 0 0 0 0 0 0 Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sub-Contracts Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dollar Amount 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total Women Business Enterprises Male Contracts Dollar Amount 0 0 0 Number 0 0 0 Sub-Contracts Number 0 0 0 Dollar Amount 0 0 0 Table 8 - Minority Business and Women Business Enterprises Minority Owners of Rental Property – Indicate the number of HOME assisted rental property owners and the total amount of HOME funds in these rental properties assisted Total Minority Property Owners White Non- Hispanic Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dollar Amount 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 9 – Minority Owners of Rental Property CAPER 12 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Relocation and Real Property Acquisition – Indicate the number of persons displaced, the cost of relocation payments, the number of parcels acquired, and the cost of acquisition Parcels Acquired 0 0 Businesses Displaced 0 0 Nonprofit Organizations Displaced 0 0 Households Temporarily Relocated, not Displaced 0 0 Households Displaced Total Minority Property Enterprises White Non- Hispanic Alaskan Native or American Indian Asian or Pacific Islander Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cost 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 10 – Relocation and Real Property Acquisition CAPER 13 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 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. One-Year Goal Actual Number of Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 6 3 Number of Non-Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 26 3 Number of Special-Needs households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Total 32 6 Table 11 – Number of Households One-Year Goal Actual Number of households supported through Rental Assistance 21 4 Number of households supported through The Production of New Units 11 3 Number of households supported through Rehab of Existing Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Acquisition of Existing Units 0 0 Total 34 7 Table 12 – Number of Households Supported Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals. There is a noted difference (underperformance) between the goals and outcomes for the reporting period. Despite the Territory’s emergence from the pandemic, a number of factors continue to hamper efforts to meet planned goals. Some examples include administrative delays (protracted environmental review timelines due to slow response by cognitive agencies), meteoric rise in construction costs which has virtually crippled affordable housing production, limited number and capacity of subrecipients resulting in delayed implementation of funded activities. In addition, contractor capacity issues lead to CAPER 14 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) delays in the completion of various facilities which had been anticipated to be placed in service during the period. Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans. Although the expected goals were not met for Program Years 2020 and now 2021, it had been anticipated that once normalcy was re-established, the implementation of the planned projects would commence and proceed at pre-pandemic pace. It was anticipated that this would likely result in underperforming the goals for the first 2-3 years of the Consolidated Plan period and then better than anticipated outcomes in the later years of the Plan period. It is now recognized that there have been profound shifts in workforce etc. post-pandemic which make for new norms. As of the close of the 2022 Program Year, goals still have not been met and it is difficult to predit the impacts on future plans. 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 HOME Actual HTF Actual Extremely Low-income 0 0 0 Low-income 0 1 0 Moderate-income 0 2 0 Total 0 3 0 Table 13 – Number of Households Served Narrative Information Income by family size is required to determine eligibility of the homebuyer assistance activities carried out with HOME Program funds. Relative to the four (4) units completed during the period, all of the families assisted had household income within the moderate-income (61 - 80% of area median income) range. CAPER 15 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 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 Historically, the Territory has utilized ESG and CDBG funds to support activities for the homeless and other special needs populations. During the reporting period, various ESG and CDBG subrecipients carried out activities across the Territory aimed at reducing and ending homelessness through reaching out to homeless (particuarly unsheltered persons) and assisting with their indivdual needs, , to the greatest extent possible taking the necessary pandemic precautions,. This outreach to the homeless was particularly critical during the pandemic. Although no Program Year 2021 funds were available during the reporting period, subrecipients utilized non-governmental resources to distribute COVID supplies (hygiene items) and also meals. (Some of these subrecipients were later able to seek reimbursement for these expenditures under their approved ESG CARES Act (ESG-CV) grant awards). The Continuum of Care will continue to work toward improving the quality of the Point-in-Time counts and also of HMIS data to provide basic information on homeless needs. These data sources will provide the Continuum and its members with comparative data on which to assess gaps in housing and services and determine individual needs and will allow for a data-informed approach for system capacity building. Unfortunately, the on-going focus on the pandemic response prorgrams, continued to delay the Continuum of Care's progress toward development of the Territory's coordinated entry system. Implementation of the Coordinated Entry System, which will include standards for access points and a universal assessment strategy, will also help to ensure that homeless persons receive an improved process of assessing their individual need to determine appropriate placement and services and effectively flow through the homeless crisis system. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons Unfortunately, the U.S. Virgin Islands sustained widespread damages to many public and community facilities as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and was still attempting to recover from those damages when the pandemic began in March 2020. The storms had a widespread and lasting impact on numerous facilities which include the main homeless shelter on St. Croix, a transitional housing facility on St. Thomas, and two facilities for victims of domestic violence on St. Thomas. The near cessation of certain administrative and other services contributed to delays in moving some projects forward. Having these facilities off-line further exacerbated a shortage of residential facilities for special needs persons which pre-dated the storms. CAPER 16 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Although not much new progress was made during the period, it is anticipated that, projects creating emergency shelter facilities and residential units for persons who are homeless will begin to come to fruition in the subsequent reporting period. VIHFA’s Emergency Housing Program (local funds) provides close to 40 units of temporary housing for victims of domestic violence, natural disaster, catastrophic incidents and financial hardships across four complexes – three in St. Croix and one in St. Thomas. All four complexes sustained damages as a result of the hurricanes. As of the close of the PY 2021 reporting period, several of the properties remain under repair with some units off-line. It had been anticipated that one property would have been fully returned to service by early 2020, thus returning 16 units to the inventory - but this has not materialized. Upon completion of the rehabilitation of the properties, they will once again provide emergency housing accommodations for individuals and families experiencing short-term homelessness. The jurisdiction remains committed to utilizing funds under the various programs to address the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons. Three (3) projects included in the Program Year 2020 Plan were slated to create new facilities for homeless persons. In the St. Thomas district, Catholic Charities’ Bethlehem House Reconstruction will add 27 emergency shelter beds. Although it will still be a congregate shelter, design features include semi-private rooms and one suite that can accommodate a small family. In the St. Croix district, two projects that have been funded – Catholic Charities Light of Christ Bethlehem House renovation and Liberty Place rehabilitation – will eventually add 40 emergency shelter beds and 10 transitional housing beds. Although the two Cathlic Charities projects both were approved for supplemental funding under the 2021 Action Plan, the projects remained stalled during the reporting period due to the ongoing business disruptions of the pandemic. 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 Funds provided under the ESG Program are typically used to provide rapid rehousing resources and prevention services to persons in need. Under either homelessness prevent or rapid rehousing assistance, ESG funds may be used to pay rental application fees, security deposits, and first month’s rent at move-in to assist with initial costs. Funds could be used to provide rental assistance for up to 24 months to assist clients in attaining and maintaining stability. Since the inception of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, rental assistance in the amount of $7.2M (effectively, homeless prevention) has been paid on behalf of 1,100 applicants. This, coupled with the availability of emergency housing (EHV) vouchers made available to households at-risk of homelessness or housing instability, resulted in a reduced demand for ESG homeless prevention assistance during the period. Program Year 2021 and 2022 ESG entitlement grant funds (along with unused Program Year 2020 ESG CAPER 17 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) funds) will remain available to be used for intake services or activities necessary to assist program participants in locating, obtaining, or retaining suitable permanent housing, and case management activities (counseling, coordinating and securing benefits, conducting re-certifications and reevaluations) which result in program participants achieving permanent housing stability. Stabilizing case management services include developing individualized housing and service plans; coordinating referrals and services and assisting the participant to secure benefits, as appropriate; and, monitoring and evaluating the participant’s progress toward achieving the milestones of the housing stability plan. The Territory is expected to realize improved transitions to permanent housing via new emergency housing vouchers for the homeless. The Territory has been awarded twenty (20) new EHV Vouchers; these vouchers will be administered by Virgin Islands Housing Authority (the local PHA) in collaboration with the CoC. In the absence of a formal Coordinated Entry System (CES), the CoC has adopted a case- conferencing process to handle the assessment, prioritization, and referral of clients for assistance under the EHV program. Eleven (11) vouchers have been leased; 8 additional vouchers are available to be leased. A major accomplishment during the Program Year was the participation of representatives of the local Prison Re-entry Group in the CoC. As CoC members, these representatives give voice to the needs of persons being discharged from the local penal institutions. The open dialogue also facilitated their understanding of program eligibility requirements and limitations of the present homeless services infrastructure. As a result, the local Bureau of Corrections has decided to experiment with an innovative solution which would see the creation of a few tiny home units to serve as short-term, transitional housing for newly-released inmates until the individuals can receive assistance from public or private agencies that provide permanent housing. A related action during the Program Year was the CoC’s submission of correspondence to the local PHA, Virgin Islands Housing Authority, consider significant policy changes aimed at enhancing the prioritization of the homeless population in public housing selection decisions and expanding a vulnerable population prioritization preference to include the VIHA Housing Choice Voucher Program. In addition, the CoC also urge VIHA to expeditiously implement HUD-recommended policy changes that would significantly reduce barriers for individuals with criminal records seeking housing because such barriers have long-term repercussions, perpetuating cycles of homelessness and poverty. Key recommendations for these policy changes include: O Avoiding Automatic Denials: Refraining from denying an applicant for housing assistance solely based on a criminal conviction, except where clearly prohibited by federal law. o Selective Consideration of Criminal History: Disregarding criminal history that is unlikely to impact tenancy- including arrest records, sealed or expunged records, older convictions, and convictions that do not involve violence or harm to persons or property. • Indiyidualized Assessments: Conducting thorough evaluations to ascertain if applicants truly pose a future risk,considering factors like employment status, engagement in rehabilitation programs,and positive community involvement. CAPER 18 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Opportunities for Applicants: Allowing those with criminal records ample time and opportunities to present supporting information regarding mitigating circumstances before a decision on admission is made. These HUD recommendations for persons with criminal records align with the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Given that people of color and those with disabilities are disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system, policies that unduly deny housing based on criminal history can, in effect, violate the Fair Housing Act. To protect the rights of all citizens and promote true re-integration into society, these policy changes are paramount. These policy changes relative to reduction of barriers for persons with criminal records will not only reduce the likelihood of homelessness among persons who are being discharged but will also reduce the likelihood of recidivism while buildinh stronger, more inclusive communities. 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 Territory is expected to realize improved transitions to permanent housing via new emergency housing vouchers for the homeless. The Territory has been awarded twenty (20) new EHV Vouchers; these vouchers will be administered by Virgin Islands Housing Authority (the local PHA) in collaboration with the CoC. In the absence of a formal Coordinated Entry System (CES), the CoC has adopted a case- conferencing process to handle the assessment, prioritization, and referral of clients for assistance under the EHV program. To prevent discharging persons from institutions into homelessness, the Continuum recognizes the need to work toward strengthening referral and placement procedures with area hospitals and corrections facilities. Having adequate housing resources available in which to place persons being discharged is critical; however, there is a significant shortage of resources made worse by the disasterous hurricanes. City of Refuge Transition Center, Inc., a minsitry of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, is the only known program dedicated to persons exiting the prison system. Subject to vacancies, the following are among the resources that are potentially available as resources for persons being discharged from institutions: Department of Human Services; Frederiksted Baptist Church (Eagles Nest); Methodist Training and Outreach Center; Catholic Charities; and, St. Croix Mission Outreach. The Continuum recognizes that there are insufficient housing resources to meet the demand for persons coming from institutions and will work toward expanding those resources. In addition, cooperative actions between Continuum, its members and the Department of Human Services can help prevent individual youth graduating out of foster care from falling into homelessness. CAPER 19 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) It is anticipated that the implementation of the Coordinated Entry System, while not providing additional units, will help reduce the occurrence of persons being discharged from programs or institutions to homelessness. The written standards which are being established in conjunction with the CES protocol include institutional re-entry clients among the priority population for transitional housing. During the program year, the VIHFA developed its allocation plan for the HOME-ARP Program. The plan, which was submitted as a substantial amendment to the PY 2022 Annual Action Plan, was successfully approved by HUD. HOME-ARP funding allocated to the Territory is an important new resource that will supplement existing federal and local funding sources and thus, enable the jurisdiction to make significant strides toward addressing homelessness. It is anticipated that efforts to implement the program will begin in earnest in the second quarter of calendar year 2024 once program guidelines have been finalized and solicitations for subrecipients have been conducted. In conjunction with the development of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, the Territory engaged many providers that serve the various vulnerable populations which include but are not limited to chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, persons needed support in order to remain stably housed, to assess the needs of the population and existing service gaps. Based on the findings, VIHFA determined that the Territory suffers from a lack of affordable housing inventory, emergency shelters beds, safe haven beds, transitional housing units, and permanent supportive housing units; but most notably, service provider agencies are unable to secure adequate staffing to provide case management and supportive services. Informed by these conditions, VIHFA’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan proposes to make HOME-ARP funding available to eligible service providers primarily to support tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services – benefitting our Territory’s Qualifying Populations. CAPER 20 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing During the reporting period, the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority continued to support the needs of the local PHA (Virgin Islands Housing Authority) and public residents. Increased coordination and collaboration between the agencies has resulted in the construction of new units using Project-Based Section 8 funds and Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), among other sources of financing. The PHA has developed an aggressive portfolio repositioning plan spanning the next decade which will replace the aging inventory. LIHTC awarded by VIHFA is a key component of the financing of the planned projects. Construction of the one of VIHA's LIHTC project - Donoe - has been stymied by several issues - to include cost increases precipitated by the pandemic. As a result, there will be a significant delay in placing the project in service. A second major VIHA project - Walter I.M Hodge RAD rehabilitation is well underway; the project will modernize one of the largest public housing communities on St. Croix. VIHA has designed a homeownership program and partnered with the VIHFA to provide homeownership counseling and mortgage financing with various banking and mortgage institutions for residents of Williams Delight on St. Croix – which is slated for home ownership conversion. Residents continue to be screened and processed for the homeownership program. The activities of the annual Action Plan are consistent with the needs and goals of public housing residents. Housing stability and opportunities for self-sufficiency are key elements of both VIHA’s goals and the long-term objectives of the Territory’s Consolidated Plan. On a broad level, the use of CDBG funds for public services supports the needs of low- and moderate-income households, many of whom are public housing residents. More specifically, two of the public service programs that are included in this Action Plan are after-school programs which will operate from locations within a public housing community and thus, will directly benefit residents of those communities , most particularly, youth. In addition, the homeownership programs of VIHFA also offer first-time homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households which generally include public housing tenants. Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership V.I. Housing Authority (the local PHA) has various programs aimed at encouraging public housing residents to participate in homeownership. The ROSS (Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency) Program links public housing residents to support services, activities and assistance toward becoming economically self- sufficient. ROSS Coordinators assess needs of participating residents and coordinate available resources in the community to meet those needs. Services are geared toward enabling participating families to increase earned income, progress toward achieving economic independence and eventually attain housing self-sufficiency (to include homeownership). The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is a voluntary program to help public housing residents obtain CAPER 21 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) education, job training, and life skills necessary to move toward financial self-sufficiency. Over the five- year contract period, when participating family members report an increase in earned income and a new rent payment is calculated, a portion of the increase in rent is deposited monthly in an escrow account established for the family. Once the head of household completes the contract of participation by achieving all listed goals and is free from welfare assistance for 12 consecutive months, the family will receive the balance of the escrow account. Participants from both the FSS and ROSS programs have been linked to supportive services such as job readiness skills training, job search tutorials, enrollment in the University of the Virgin Islands, driving instruction, parenting skills development, computer literacy courses, employment opportunities, money management workshops, disaster preparedness, alternatives to violence workshops and domestic violence awareness workshops. The VIHFA and the VIHA continued their cooperation between the two housing providers including referral of public housing tenants in the FSS (Family Self-Sufficiency) Program and those receiving Housing Choice Vouchers to VIHFA to apply for the homebuyer program, to receive pre-purchase counseling or homebuyer education. Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs The Virgin Islands Housing Authority is not designated as troubled. In 2014, the VIHA was returned to the control of the local government after more than ten years of receivership by HUD. During the receivership, VIHA worked closely with HUD to resolve a number of deficiencies that were noted. Since the return to local control, VIHA is currently being managed locally and continues to operate satisfactorily post- receivership. VIHA emerged from the receivership stronger and more focused on meeting the needs of the Territory’s public housing residents. CAPER 22 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 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. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i) No new actions were taken during the period relative to the removal or amelioration of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing. Moreso than public policy, the major barriers to affordable housing in the Territory arethe limited supply of buildable land, the high cost of utilities and infrastructure, prohibitively high costs of insurance, lack of centrally supplied water and sewer service for most areas, limited federal program funding, and the strained fiscal condition of the Territorial government. Large deficits and flat revenues virtually preclude significant local support for housing programs. Costs are high and incomes of Virgin Islands residents are low. In many instances, the age of the Territory's rental housing stock (particularly in the St. Thomas district where there are limited subsidized, multi-family properties and the vast majority of the PHA properties are more than 40 years old) means that "affordable" units are often sub- standard units. The 2017 hurricane events had significant impacts on the Territory's housing stock and this shortage, particularly of rental housing stock, continued to present a new barrier to affordable rental housing during the reporting period. Some recovery programs have been slow to get started. One such program would assist property owners who are willing to make their property available for rent to low-mod income households at affordable rates. A number of the programs seek to reduce barriers to affordable housing. HOME Program funds are all allocated to affordable housing. The VIHFA has programs to increase homeownership, including programs in cooperation with the VI Housing Authority and other partners (e.g., USDA Rural Development). Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The VIHFA and the VI Housing Authority will continue to expand cooperation between the two housing providers including referral of public housing tenants who are in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program and those in the Housing Choice Voucher program to VIHFA to receive homebuyer education. During the period, VIHFA struggled in its customary efforts to work collaboratively with USDA Rural Development to structure affordable financing packages with a focus on increasing the number of low-income households achieving home ownership. Over the years, VIHFA’s HOME Program and USDA’s single-family mortgage program have facilitated the creation of innovative financing packages, structured within the framework of both programs, which ultimately resulted in increased home ownership opportunity for clients from typically underserved populations. Recent increases in construction costs, coupled with a tight supply CAPER 23 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) market, have caused the price of homes (both new and existing) to outpace the HOME maximum per unit sales price. This has had a negatively impacted the number of lower-income households assisted with first-time home ownership opportunities during the period. Other actions to be taken include additional capacity-building relative to the Continuum of Care to improve the potential to obtain additional resources under the new Continuum of Care Program and increase both services and housing to homeless in the Territory. Toward the end of the program year, the CoC secured an appropriation of funding under the miscellaneous section of the local government budget; the appropriation will allow the CoC to hire a dedicated staff person to assist with the operation of the CoC and the implementation of the CES. The VIHFA serves as the designated CoC Collaborative Applicant. This also facilitates the coordination of homeless programs/services. Finally, homeless providers are planning to work cooperatively to continue annual Homeless Connect events that engage the homeless and bring together in one location the various homeless programs/services. Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) No new actions were taken during the period relative to the reduction of lead-based paint hazards. Much of the Territory’s public rental housing stock has been rid of lead-based paints over many years. In addition, due to the impacts of major hurricanes in 1989, 1995, and 2017, much of the occupied, private housing stock has undergone renovation (including repainting) since the 1978 ban on lead-based paint. Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) One of the goals of the Territory's Consolidated Plan (both the previous period and the current) is to support community and economic development. Several projects that were funded in previous grant years continued to support community development. Annual projects provide support for youth, including a structured environment to reinforce education and positive behaviors in order to reduce juvenile delinquency and school drop-outs and end thus the cycle of poverty. Projects continue to support and expand services for special needs populations including (among others) youth, the elderly, domestic violence victims, physically and mentally challenged, chronic substance abusers and persons with the AIDS virus, with special emphasis for persons suffering from substance abuse or mental illness. A number of existing housing initiatives relate to the antipoverty strategy. Increasing housing choice for lower-income households has long-term positive economic effects. Owning a home enables the household to build equity, which can be parlayed into greater purchasing power and thus moving families away from poverty. Use of HOME funds for home ownership assistance creates opportunities for lower- income households to become homeowners in any neighborhood across the Territory which enables lower-income families to relocate to neighborhoods that provide more opportunities. Successful collaboration between VIHFA’s HOME Program and USDA Rural Development’s Direct Lending Program enables many low-income households who were previously rent-burdened to achieve home ownership CAPER 24 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) with affordable payments. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Home Ownership program - both of which are administered locally by the Virgin Islands Housing Authority - have the goal of assisting lower-income households to achieve home ownership. The Family Self- Sufficiency Program helps families save toward down payment and closing costs, while the Housing Choice Voucher home ownership program subsidizes the family’s monthly housing payment for up to ten years. Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) Toward the end of the program year, the CoC secured an appropriation of funding under the miscellaneous section of the local government budget; the appropriation will allow the CoC to hire a dedicated staff person to assist with the operation of the CoC and the implementation of the CES. One action that had been planned during the period to develop institutional structure was the strengthening of the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program and the Continuum of Care (CoC) through the adoption of joint written standards governing ESG- and also CoC-funded projects. The adoption of formal standards is expected to elevate the level of service delivery. The jurisdiction had been looking forward to continued technical assistance from a HUD-appointed TA provider to complete this task; however, this effort has been stalled for several years as HUD's priorities around technical assistance shifted as a result of the pandemic. Although the issue of written standards was not advanced during the period, VIHFA and the CoC have agreed that the development of a basic set of standards will be among the priority tasks to be assigned to the CoC Coordinator once hired. Implementation of the Coordinated Entry System process (which was also expected to occur during the 2020 program year) remained stalled as a result of the pandemic. The VIHFA and the various providers serving the homeless all agree that the implementation of coordinated entry will greatly facilitate the efficient management of the Territory’s scarce homeless resources. However, during the program year, the CoC implemented a case conferencing protocol to assess and refer persons for the Emergency Housing Voucher program (see discoussion below). The case conferencing was used as a proxy for the formal Coordinated Entry Process. Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The relationship which exists between the VIHFA and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA), the two main providers of affordable (assisted) housing, continued during the program year as the agencies collaborated on projects that rehabilitate and/or construct new units of housing using Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The VIHFA and VIHA also continued in their agreements wherein VIHFA provides home buyer education, housing counseling, and other services to public housing residents to facilitate readiness for homeownership. During the period, the CoC continued the effort to work with VIHA to stand up the Emergency Housing Vouchers program. (The Territory was awarded a total of twenty (20) Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV); CAPER 25 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) the EHV had been created as part of the pandemic response in an effort to to assist jurisdictions rapidly house homeless persons in non-congregate housing settings. The EHV regulations required that the local PHA collaborate with the CoC for the administration of the EHV. CoC-member agencies (social service agencies) referred clients for consideration via the case conferencing process adopted by the CoC. One agency, Catholic Charities of the VI, served as the point-of-contact with VIHA for the EHV Program. Eleven (11) households were assisted during the program year. The vouchers have allowed these households to achieve permanent housing situations. Eight vouchers remain to be leased. The VIHFA has a full-time staff position dedicated to the implementation of the ESG Program and the development of policies to reduce homelessness and increase services available to persons who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. This has made for better coordination and exchange between VIHFA and other entities making up the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Continuum of Care. Member agencies, many funded with CDBG and ESG grant funds, are strengthened by ongoing technical assistance and monitoring activities. Building on the recommendations of the technical assistance provider who had worked to help the CoC design and implement the Coordinated Entry System, during the 2022 Program Year, the VIHFA and the CoC continued to discuss creating a full-time position to serve as coordinator of the CES. Toward the end of the program year, the CoC successfully secured legilslative approval to include a funding allocation for the CoC in the miscellaneous section of the Territorial budget. The CoC anticipates being able to deploy two (2) staff positions - a Coordinator and also an administrative assistant – to finalize policies for the implementation of coordinated entry. Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) No new actions were taken during the period relative to increasing fair housing choice. CAPER 26 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d) Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports. The process of was a concerted effort to provide citizens with an opportunity to review and comment on the CAPER. Notices announcing the availability of the draft CAPER for review and comment were published in the Virgin Islands Daily News - a local print newspaper of general circulation and also the V.I. Source electronic newspaper. The draft CAPER document was posted on the VIHFA's website and was available upon request at the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority offices on St. Croix and St. Thomas. CAPER 27 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c) Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences. In February 2021, the Territory submitted a Substantial Amendment to the 2015-19 Consolidated Plan relative to the supplemental allocation of $2.8 million in CDBG CARES Act funding (CDBG-CV) in response to the COVID pandemic. Those funds are carried over in the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan. If funding levels remain constant, over $12.2 million in CDBG grant funding (including program income and prior resources) will be available to the U.S. Virgin Islands over the five-year period covered by the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan. Although the completion of various projects under the 2015-19 Consolidated Plan has been delayed due to the business disruptions precipitated by the 2017 hurricanes and later the pandemic, the VIHFA and the various subrecipients remain committed to the delivery of the projects and thus, the VIHFA has not made any changes to the program objectives - except to recognize that the timing of the planned outcomes will be pushed back. The Territory does not anticipate any changes to its programs as a result of any occurrences during the program year. Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants? No [BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year. CAPER 28 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-50 - HOME 24 CFR 91.520(d) Include the results of on-site inspections of affordable rental housing assisted under the program to determine compliance with housing codes and other applicable regulations Please list those projects that should have been inspected on-site this program year based upon the schedule in 24 CFR §92.504(d). Indicate which of these were inspected and a summary of issues that were detected during the inspection. For those that were not inspected, please indicate the reason and how you will remedy the situation. The Territory has not used HOME funds in support of affordable rental housing; as such, there were no projects subject to inspection as required by 24 CFR 92.504(d). Provide an assessment of the jurisdiction's affirmative marketing actions for HOME units. 24 CFR 91.520(e) and 24 CFR 92.351(a) The jurisdiction does not provide HOME funds directly to housing developers. The juridsdiction's primary use of HOME funds is for direct financial assistance to individual first-time homebuyers; as such, the affirmative marketing efforts/initiatives are focused on ensuring that prospective clients (i.e., persons seeking first-time home ownership) are aware of the VI Housing Finance Authority and the various programs in support of first-time home ownership that are available. The VIHFA engages in direct marketing and outreach to persons via collaborations with employers, lenders, and the local Public Housing Authority and also by maintaining a presence at local community events such as fairs. The VIHFA typically sponsors the Annual Housing Expo which is widely promoted throughout the Territory with radio and print ads. The VIHFA's Annual Housing Expo has become known as the largest single promotion of VIHFA's programs - to include the HOME Program. USDA Rural Development also refers clients to the VIHFA for downpayment and mortgage buydown assistance via the HOME Program. This activity has waned since the pandemic as the supply of affordable housing units due to the slowdown in the construction. Refer to IDIS reports to describe the amount and use of program income for projects, including the number of projects and owner and tenant characteristics During the reporting year, no program income funds were expended for projects. Describe other actions taken to foster and maintain affordable housing. 24 CFR 91.220(k) (STATES ONLY: Including the coordination of LIHTC with the development of affordable housing). 24 CFR 91.320(j) The many programs and opportunities, current and in development, offered by VIHFA and the VIHA are aimed at increasing affordable housing. During the reporting period, HOME Program funds provided new CAPER 29 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) homeownership opportunities expanded by the leveraging of funds. As a result of the consolidation of the local government’s rental and home ownership housing programs under VIHFA, program coordination, implementation and management between the rental and home ownership programs continue to improve. With local housing programs under common management, VIHFA becomes a “one-stop shop” for rental and homeownership housing. This, combined with existing programs, increases access and processing expediency. The VIHFA conducts numerous outreach events throughout the year to present information on programs and promote awareness of the various affordable housing opportunities. VIHFA also provides homebuyer education classes to equip prospective homebuyers with information about the steps to purchase a home. Since the pandemic, homebuyer classes are now exclusively on-line. It is anticipated that this should expand the number of persons that receive information about home ownership options. In addition, various home ownership programs now have a centralized application process and determination of eligibility for the program most appropriate to the need/ situation of the particular applicant. This now allows for the implementation of a true continuum approach to the delivery of housing services. The Territory’s use of funds allocated under the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) notably benefits extremely low- income households (i.e., earning at or below 30% of Area Median Income). Pursuant to an allocation plan developed, VIHFA will distribute HTF funds in conjunction with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) application process, albeit through a separate competitive process utilizing separate scoring criteria outlined in the Territory’s HTF Allocation Plan. The VIHFA anticipates that this use of the funds will enable LIHTC developers to include a small number of units reserved for households in the extremely low income category in their developments, thus increasing affordable housing choice for this very vulnerable population. CAPER 30 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-56 - HTF 91.520(h) Describe the extent to which the grantee complied with its approved HTF allocation plan and the requirements of 24 CFR part 93. There was no activity under the Housing Trust Fund during the program year. In the Territory's HTF Allocation Plan, it is indicated that the HTF monies are to be allocated in conjunction with the award of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for new construction housing. The jurisdiction has sought technical assistance relative to the application of subsidy layering review process to ensure that the HTF funds are awarded in full compliance with the HTF allocation plan, the LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) and the relevant requirements of 24 CFR part 93. As of the preparation of this CAPER, there are currently several LIHTC project applications under consideration; it is anticipated that the HTF funds will be awarded to at least one of the projects. Tenure Type 0 – 30% AMI 0% of 30+ to poverty line (when poverty line is higher than 30% AMI) % of the higher of 30+ AMI or poverty line to 50% AMI Total Occupied Units Units Completed, Not Occupied Total Completed Units Rental 0 0 0 0 0 0 Homebuyer 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 15 - CR-56 HTF Units in HTF activities completed during the period CAPER 31 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-58 – Section 3 Identify the number of individuals assisted and the types of assistance provided NOTE: There is no data recorded for Program Year 2022. Total Labor Hours CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Total Number of Activities 0 0 0 0 0 Total Labor Hours Total Section 3 Worker Hours Total Targeted Section 3 Worker Hours Table 14 – Total Labor Hours Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Outreach efforts to generate job applicants who are Public Housing Targeted Workers 0 0 0 0 Outreach efforts to generate job applicants who are Other Funding Targeted Workers. 0 0 0 0 Direct, on-the job training (including apprenticeships). 0 0 0 0 Indirect training such as arranging for, contracting for, or paying tuition for, off-site training. 0 0 0 0 Technical assistance to help Section 3 workers compete for jobs (e.g., resume assistance, coaching). 0 0 0 0 Outreach efforts to identify and secure bids from Section 3 business concerns. 0 0 0 0 Technical assistance to help Section 3 business concerns understand and bid on contracts. 0 0 0 0 Division of contracts into smaller jobs to facilitate participation by Section 3 business concerns. 0 0 0 0 Provided or connected residents with assistance in seeking employment including: drafting resumes,preparing for interviews, finding job opportunities, connecting residents to job placement services. 0 0 0 0 Held one or more job fairs. 0 0 0 0 Provided or connected residents with supportive services that can provide direct services or referrals. 0 0 0 0 Provided or connected residents with supportive services that provide one or more of the following: work readiness health screenings, interview clothing, uniforms, test fees, transportation. 0 0 0 0 Assisted residents with finding child care. 0 0 0 0 Assisted residents to apply for, or attend community college or a four year educational institution. 0 0 0 0 Assisted residents to apply for, or attend vocational/technical training. 0 0 0 0 Assisted residents to obtain financial literacy training and/or coaching. 0 0 0 0 Bonding assistance, guaranties, or other efforts to support viable bids from Section 3 business concerns. 0 0 0 0 Provided or connected residents with training on computer use or online technologies. 0 0 0 0 Promoting the use of a business registry designed to create opportunities for disadvantaged and small businesses. 0 0 0 0 Outreach, engagement, or referrals with the state one-stop system, as designed in Section 121(e)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 0 0 0 0 CAPER 32 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Other. 0 0 0 0 Table 15 – Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program Narrative CR-60 - ESG 91.520(g) (ESG Recipients only) ESG Supplement to the CAPER in e-snaps For Paperwork Reduction Act 1. Recipient Information—All Recipients Complete Basic Grant Information Recipient Name VIRGIN ISLANDS Organizational DUNS Number 176272615 UEI EIN/TIN Number 660412508 Indentify the Field Office CARIBBEAN Identify CoC(s) in which the recipient or subrecipient(s) will provide ESG assistance ESG Contact Name Prefix Ms First Name Janine Middle Name Last Name Hector Suffix Title Federal Programs Director ESG Contact Address Street Address 1 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200 Street Address 2 City St. Thomas State VI ZIP Code - Phone Number 3407724432 Extension 3234 Fax Number Email Address jhector@vihfa.gov CAPER 33 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) ESG Secondary Contact Prefix Miss First Name Chivonne Last Name Moorhead Suffix Title Asst. Director of Federal Programs Phone Number 3407724432 Extension 3225 Email Address cmoorhead@vihfa.gov 2. Reporting Period—All Recipients Complete Program Year Start Date 10/01/2021 Program Year End Date 09/30/2022 3a. Subrecipient Form – Complete one form for each subrecipient Subrecipient or Contractor Name City State Zip Code DUNS Number UEI Is subrecipient a vistim services provider Subrecipient Organization Type ESG Subgrant or Contract Award Amount NOTE: No subrecipients have been identified to date. Solicitation of proposals for funding recently completed; project vetting and scoring underway. CAPER 34 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-65 - Persons Assisted 4. Persons Served 4a. Complete for Homelessness Prevention Activities Number of Persons in Households Total Adults 0 Children 0 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 0 Table 16 – Household Information for Homeless Prevention Activities 4b. Complete for Rapid Re-Housing Activities Number of Persons in Households Total Adults 3 Children 2 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 5 Table 17 – Household Information for Rapid Re-Housing Activities 4c. Complete for Shelter Number of Persons in Households Total Adults 33 Children 18 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 51 Table 18 – Shelter Information CAPER 35 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 4d. Street Outreach Number of Persons in Households Total Adults 0 Children 0 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 0 Table 19 – Household Information for Street Outreach 4e. Totals for all Persons Served with ESG Number of Persons in Households Total Adults 38 Children 18 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 56 Table 20 – Household Information for Persons Served with ESG 5. Gender—Complete for All Activities Total Male 18 Female 38 Transgender 0 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 56 Table 21 – Gender Information CAPER 36 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 6. Age—Complete for All Activities Total Under 18 20 18-24 4 25 and over 32 Don't Know/Refused/Other 0 Missing Information 0 Total 56 Table 22 – Age Information 7. Special Populations Served—Complete for All Activities Number of Persons in Households Subpopulation Total Total Persons Served – Prevention Total Persons Served – RRH Total Persons Served in Emergency Shelters Veterans 3 0 0 0 Victims of Domestic Violence 37 0 3 Elderly 3 0 0 HIV/AIDS 0 0 0 Chronically Homeless 34 0 1 Persons with Disabilities: Severely Mentally Ill 0 0 0 0 Chronic Substance Abuse 50 0 0 9 Other Disability 5 0 0 Total (Unduplicated if possible) 90 0 4 9 Table 23 – Special Population Served CAPER 37 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-70 – ESG 91.520(g) - Assistance Provided and Outcomes 10. Shelter Utilization Number of New Units – Rehabbed 0 Number of New Units – Conversion 0 Total Number of bed-nights available 3,285 Total Number of bed-nights provided 3,285 Capacity Utilization 100% Table 24 – Shelter Capacity 11. Project Outcomes Data measured under the performance standards developed in consultation with the CoC(s) Sub-awards of grant year funding are typically completed with the submission of the Annual Action Plan for the fund year. Although the Territory’s Program Year 2022 Action Plan was approved in September 2022, the solicitation for projects was not completed; as such, awards of the 2022 grant allocation could not be finalized during the program year. Nonetheless, the 2022 Action Plan anticipates the use of 2022 funds for all ESG activity types including rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelters for the homeless; payment of certain related shelter operating expenses; payment for expenses related to the provision of essential services for persons housed in shelters; street outreach services for unsheltered, chronically homeless persons; homelessness prevention services (housing search, deposit assistance, rental assistance, case management) for persons who are at imminent risk of homelessness; and, rapid re-housing services (housing search, deposit assistance, rental assistance, case management) for persons who are literally homeless. The Territory continues to work in conjunction with the CoC toward the development of appropriate performance standards. It is anticipated that this effort will be finalized by mid-2024 once the CoC staff position has been filled. CAPER 38 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-75 – Expenditures 11. Expenditures 11a. ESG Expenditures for Homelessness Prevention Dollar Amount of Expenditures in Program Year 2020 2021 2022 Expenditures for Rental Assistance 10,437 8,812 0 Expenditures for Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services - Financial Assistance 0 0 0 Expenditures for Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Services 0 0 0 Expenditures for Homeless Prevention under Emergency Shelter Grants Program 0 0 0 Subtotal Homelessness Prevention 10,437 8,812 0 Table 25 – ESG Expenditures for Homelessness Prevention 11b. ESG Expenditures for Rapid Re-Housing Dollar Amount of Expenditures in Program Year 2020 2021 2022 Expenditures for Rental Assistance 36,800 39,000 $18,950 Expenditures for Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services - Financial Assistance 0 0 0 Expenditures for Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Services 0 0 0 Expenditures for Homeless Assistance under Emergency Shelter Grants Program 0 0 0 Subtotal Rapid Re-Housing 36,800 39,000 $18,950 Table 26 – ESG Expenditures for Rapid Re-Housing 11c. ESG Expenditures for Emergency Shelter Dollar Amount of Expenditures in Program Year 2020 2021 2022 Essential Services 0 0 0 Operations 0 0 0 Renovation 0 0 0 CAPER 39 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Major Rehab 0 0 0 Conversion 0 0 0 Subtotal 0 0 0 Table 27 – ESG Expenditures for Emergency Shelter 11d. Other Grant Expenditures Dollar Amount of Expenditures in Program Year 2020 2021 2022 Street Outreach 0 0 0 HMIS 0 0 0 Administration 916 189 $5,707 Table 28 - Other Grant Expenditures 11e. Total ESG Grant Funds Total ESG Funds Expended 2020 2021 2022 195,112 48,513 48,001 24,657 Table 29 - Total ESG Funds Expended 11f. Match Source 2020 2021 2022 Other Non-ESG HUD Funds 0 0 0 Other Federal Funds 0 0 0 State Government 0 0 0 Local Government 0 0 0 CAPER 40 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Private Funds 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 Fees 0 0 0 Program Income 0 0 0 Total Match Amount 0 0 0 Table 30 - Other Funds Expended on Eligible ESG Activities 11g. Total Total Amount of Funds Expended on ESG Activities 2020 2021 2022 195,112 48,153 48,001 24,657. Table 31 - Total Amount of Funds Expended on ESG Activities CAPER 41 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Attachment Notice of Public Comment Period CAPER 42 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CAPER 43 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CAPER 44 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CAPER ADDENDUM 2022