City of Yakima 2023 Annual Action Plan

The City of Yakima 2023 Annual Action Plan includes the strategies, goals, and objectives established in the FY 2020‐2024 Consolidated Plan and is the basis for the annual funding application for the CDBG and HOME programs. The Program Year 2023 marks the City of Yakima’s 48th year as a CDBG Entitlement community and the 13th year as a HOME Entitlement community. In addition, the City of Yakima has received other HUD grants in recent years including CDBG-CV (to prevent, prepare for and respond to Coronavirus), HOME-ARP (Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan), and Section 108 Loan Program.

Primary Goals:

• In addition to the Consolidated Plan, HUD requires that cities receiving federal block grants take actions to “affirmatively further fair housing choice.” The City of Yakima and the Yakima Housing Authority will collaborate on a joint plan and policy.
• Increase and preserve affordable housing and for low-income households, senior residents, households with disabled persons, and other qualifying households by funding emergency repairs to single-family, owner-occupied housing units, primarily using CDBG funds.
• Assist in delivering community public service programs operated by local non-profit organizations to low-income residents at the Henry Beauchamp Community Center, using CDBG funds.
• Participate in constructing much-needed housing for low to moderate income-families with non-profit organizations to leverage additional funding programs, primarily using HOME funds.
• Provide support to our Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) with the construction of housing for low-income households, using HOME funds.
• Improve distressed neighborhood areas with the assistance of code enforcement, especially in the vicinity of schools, using CDBG.
• Invest in public infrastructure and facilities, especially in the walk-to-school zones to improve livability and safety, using CDBG funds.

Request for Written Comments

Written public comments may be submitted between July 12 and August 12, 2023. The draft City of Yakima 2023 Annual Action Plan document is available here. Hard copies of the document are available for review at the City Clerk’s office and the Yakima Central Library (102 N 3rd St, Yakima, WA 98901). Written comments may be submitted to Joan Davenport, Community Development Director, 129 N 2^nd Street, Yakima WA 98901 or by email to: ask.planning@yakimawa.gov. Written comments regarding the 2023 Annual Action Plan must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on August 12, 2023.

Public Hearings

The first public hearing will be held during the Yakima City Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM, or soon thereafter, in the City Council Chambers of Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2^nd Street, Yakima WA  98901. The second public hearing will be held during the Yakima City Council meeting on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM, or soon thereafter, via Zoom and in the Council Chambers of Yakima City Hall, 129 N 2^nd Street, Yakima WA 98901.

Any person desiring to express their views on this item is invited to attend the public hearings or to submit their written comments to: City of Yakima, Planning Division, 129 N 2nd St., Yakima, WA 98901 no later than August 12, 2023.  Para la traducción al español, por favor llame al (509) 575-6183.

City of Yakima 2022 CAPER

The City of Yakima has released the draft version of the 2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER is a US HUD required document that describes the use of federal funds to provide affordable housing and supportive services for low to moderate income residents and neighborhoods consistent with the FY 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

Request for Written Comments

Written public comments may be submitted between June 9 and June 28, 2023. The draft City of Yakima 2022 CAPER document is available here. Hard copies of the document are available for review at the City Clerk’s office. Written comments may be submitted to Joan Davenport, Community Development Director, 129 N 2^nd Street, Yakima WA 98901 or by email to: ask.planning@yakimawa.gov. Written comments regarding the 2022 CAPER must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on June 28, 2023.

Public Hearings

The first public hearing will be held during the Yakima City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM, or soon thereafter, via Zoom and in the Council Chambers of Yakima City Hall, 129 N 2^nd Street, Yakima WA 98901. The second public hearing will be held during the Yakima City Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 3:00 PM, or soon thereafter, in the City Council Chambers of Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2^nd Street, Yakima WA  98901.

Any person desiring to express their views on this item is invited to attend the public hearings or to submit their written comments to: City of Yakima, Planning Division, 129 N 2nd St., Yakima, WA 98901 no later than June 28, 2023.  Para la traducción al español, por favor llame al (509) 575-6183.

HOME-ARP Allocation Plan

City of Yakima Releases Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for Public Comment

The City of Yakima was awarded $1,822,807 in Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds in a one-time allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is required by HUD for the City of Yakima to receive federal HOME-ARP grant fund which is available to assist individuals or households who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable populations, by providing services or housing to reduce homelessness or provide housing stability.

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is in the final approval stage with HUD. Once it is approved, the City will initiate the Notice of Funding Opportunity. More information on this process will be posted when the funding announcement is issued.

Housing Action Plan (HAP)

City of Yakima Final Housing Action Plan – Adopted June 2021

HAP – Background Information

• Resolution No. R-2021-083 approved by City Council on June 15, 2021
• Council Packet – Housing Action Plan – distributed May 18, 2021 for Council hearing on June 1, 2021
• Housing Action Plan Survey Results, December 9, 2020
• Housing Policy Framework Evaluation, released in October 2020 for public review
• Preliminary Housing Needs Assessment, released in April 2020 for public review
• Frequently Asked Questions

HAP – Implementation Strategies in Review by the Yakima Planning Commission

The Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) is involved in reviewing and implementing changes to the Zoning Ordinance (YMC Title 15) and the Subdivision Ordinance (YMC Title 14) as they relate to the Implementation Strategies of the Housing Action Plan. Of the 37 implementation strategies, YPC will review and set forth recommendations on the following ten strategies:
Strategy #1 – Update city regulations to remove barriers to innovative housing types
Strategy #7 – Create design standards for multifamily and mixed-use development
Strategy #8 – Improve permitting and environmental process
Strategy #14 – Revise parking standards in key areas
Strategy #16 – Consider fee waivers or deferrals for affordable housing
Strategy #22 – Address mobile home parks that are dilapidated
Strategy #23 – Encourage micro-retail and flexible cultural design space
Strategy #26 – Incentivize Senior Housing
Strategy #28 – Minimize barriers to development of housing serving multiple populations
Strategy #32 – Incentivize backyard cottages and cottage housing

• View Yakima Planning Commission Agenda Packets & Minutes

Quarterly Reports to City Council

Public outreach and engagement is a critical part of this planning process. Reports are presented quarterly to the Yakima City Council:

• 2021 October – HAP Quarterly Report

Monthly Building Permit Reports

Reports of Building Permit Statistics and New Residential Units are generated monthly and located on the City of Yakima Public Portal for review.