Community Development

The City of Hot Springs receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an entitlement grantee of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. As the responsible entity, the Planning & Development Department applies for, administers, monitors and reports according to federal regulations. 

2022 CDBG Applications

14 proposals were received during a fiscal year 2022 CDBG open application period between December 6, 2021 and January 26, 2022. The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) held a public hearing on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers of City Hall, 133 Convention Blvd.  Applicants presented their proposals, answered questions and public comment was heard. CDAC made the following priority list out of the presented projects. The priority recommendation list was approved by the City Board of Hot Springs at the April 5, 2022 City Board of Directors meeting. 

March 3, 2022 CDAC Priority List

  1. 2022 CDBG Planning and Administration Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  2. Habitat Lot Acquisition 2022 Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  3. Park Avenue at Holly Street Traffic Pedestrian an Cyclist Safety Improvements Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  4. Malvern Avenue Improvement Project Electric Conduit and Street Light Foundation Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  5. Malvern Avenue Improvement Project Flashing Crosswalks and Striping Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  6. Linden Park Playground Phase III Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  7. Morrison Avenue Sidewalks Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  8. Chelsea Street Sidewalks Phase II Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  9. Public Restroom near the Greenway Trail and Velocity Park Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  10. OCYFS Classroom Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  11. OCYFS Playground Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  12. Community-Based Arts C4K Application and Eligibility Coversheet
  13. MIHCL Miss Idas House of Care and Love Rehabilitation Phases 1 and 2 Application and Eligibility Coversheet

Annual Action Plan

The City of Hot Springs has been allocated $460,512 in CDBG funding for fiscal year 2022 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The Annual Action plan describes the activities that will be undertaken and how funds will be distributed to meet community development and housing needs, during each year of a Consolidated Plan. 

The 2022 Annual Action Plan will be available for public comment beginning June 4, 2022. Digital copies can be found below when uploaded. Paper copies can be found at 133 Convention Boulevard, Planning and Development Office, Hot Springs, AR 71901. 

All public comments received on or before July 4, 2022 will be included in the Annual Action Plan and submitted to the City of Hot Springs Board of Directors at the July 5, 2022 meeting. The CDBG program will seek board approval of the Annual Action Plan at the July 5, 2022 meeting. Public comments may be submitted in writing to ksellman@cityhs.net or by mail to 133 Convention Boulevard, Planning and Development Office, ATTN: Kathy Sellman, Hot Springs, AR 71901. 

Verbal public comments will be heard at the July 5, 2022 City of Hot Springs Board of Directors meeting. 

When approved by the City of Hot Springs Board of Directors, CDBG staff will submit the 2022 Annual Action Plan to HUD for final approval. HUD must approve or disapprove of Annual Action Plans 45 days after confirmed submission. Once HUD approval is received on the Annual Action Plan, CDBG staff are permitted to begin implementing FY22 projects.

Consolidated Plan

The Consolidated Plan serves as a comprehensive planning documents discussing Hot Springs community development and housing needs with particular emphasis on decent housing, a suitable living environment, assisting and preventing homelessness, addressing special needs of members of the community, and expanding economic opportunities particularly for low- to moderate-income persons.

Community Development Block Grant Policies

  1. Affordable Housing Underwriting Policy 2021
  2. CDBG Citizen Participation Plan Proposed Amendment April 2020 in response to COVID-19
  3. CDBG Unoccupied Property Boarding Improvement Policy
  4. CDBG Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement Forgivable Loan Policy and Application

Amendment to Prior Plan Years to Reallocate Funds

The City of Hot Springs receives funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant program. Annual expenditures are described in an Annual Action Plan each year.  

An amendment is necessary to allow the change in use of HUD funding (24 CFR Section 91.505).  The purpose of an amendment is to (1) delete activities which will not be completed; (2) delete activities that become ineligible; and/or (3) reallocate unspent funds from projects that were cancelled or completed under budget.  

Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report

The Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) is an annual report required by HUD detailing housing and community development activities undertaken by the city to meet priority needs as documented in the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.  The report summarizes the available resources, results of activities, number and type of households assisted, and evaluates performance in accomplishing the overall Consolidated Plan objectives.