Berks County is a diamond-shaped jurisdiction of about 864 square miles in southeastern Pennsylvania. The county has a strong manufacturing and agricultural character, but population and housing growth over the past 30 years has made the area increasingly suburban. A strong service economy complements the manufacturing base.

The Consolidated Plan is designed to be a collaborative process whereby a community establishes a vision for community development actions. It offers local jurisdictions the opportunity to shape the various housing and community development programs into effective, coordinated housing and community development strategies. It also creates the opportunity for strategic planning and citizen participation to take place in a comprehensive context, and to reduce duplication of effort at the local level.

Recognizing the need for more efficiency and the effective ness of the various HUD and non-HUD programs that the City of Reading and the County of Berks utilize, both entitlements have undertaken an effort to increase cooperation between the two community development offices. This cooperation focused on the sharing of administrative duties, pooling resources and joint decision making.

In 2001, the City Community Development Department adjusted its program year from a September 1^st through August 31^st year to a January 1 through December 31^st year. The City program year now coincides with the County’s program year.

In 2002, the two departments offered a single funding application for the community for funding request for the CDBG, ESG, and HOME Programs. In addition, a joint needs assessment and public hearing, hosted by representatives of both governments, was held. The funding requests were jointly reviewed and budgets were created that maximized the funding capacity of both entitlements. This single application process continues today.

The strategic plan is a specific course of action for revitalization. It is the means to analyze the full local context and the linkages to the larger region. It builds on local assets and coordinates a response to the needs of the community. It integrates economic, physical, environmental, community, and human development in a comprehensive and coordinated fashion so that families and communities can work together and thrive. A strategic plan also sets forth program goals, specific objectives, annual goals, and benchmarks for measuring progress. In so doing, it helps local governments and citizens keep track of results and learn what works.

The Consolidated Plan approach also meets the application requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) formula programs. This process replaces prior planning and application requirements with a single document, and satisfies the submission requirements of the three formula programs for local jurisdictions.

Berks County is an urban area of 373,638 persons (2000 Census), situated in southeastern Pennsylvania. The county seat, located in the city of Reading, is 56 miles northwest of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley region, which is one of the leading industrial and trade complexes in the nation. Schuylkill County borders the County on the north, on the west by Lebanon and Lancaster Counties, on the east by Lehigh County, and on the south by Chester and Montgomery Counties. Despite its closeness to the Philadelphia metropolitan area, it is considered part of Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country. (SOURCE: Berks County Pennsylvania, Economic Resource Profile). Through numerous federal and state highways and turnpikes, the County is linked to other major cities such as New York (125 miles) and Baltimore (97 miles). The County is a diamond–shaped area of 864 square miles. Sections of the Blue and South Mountains, two ridges of the Appalachian Mountain chain, form its northern and southern boundaries with elevations averaging about 640 feet above sea level. The Schuylkill River and several of its main tributaries drain almost the entire county.

The 1990 Census reported 134,482 housing units in Berks County including 34,276 units in the City of Reading. The 2000 Census reported that the number of housing units in Berks County increased during the 1990s by 11.7 percent to 150,222. The City of Reading’s housing stock increased by 33 units during the 1990s to 34,309. Berks Vision 2020 notes that the rate of increase in housing in Berks County during the 1990s was modest in comparison to the previous decades. During the 1970s the number of housing units in Berks County increased by about 19 percent while during the 1980s the number of units increased by a little more than 12 percent.

Table 1 provides a review of units per structure and mobile homes in Berks County and the City of Reading.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Table 2 shows housing tenure and vacant units in Berks County and the City of Reading.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Table 3 reports that within the City, white households and minority households have similar median incomes. The lower rate of home ownership by minority households may also result from the existence of impediments by members of the protected class.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Table 4 shows the median value of the housing in Berks County and the City of Reading in addition to the owner-occupied units constructed prior to 1960, those that were over crowded, and owner-occupied units that lacked complete plumbing.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Table 5 provides a listing of the public and assisted housing units located in the County. The income level is shown by using four abbreviations: 1) EL for Extremely Low Income ( 0% to 30% of median income ); 2) L for Low Income ( 31% to 50% of median income); 3) M for Moderate Income ( 51% to 80% of median income); 4) OI for Other Income ( 81% and above median income). The type of family served is shown by using three abbreviations: 1) E for elderly; 2) S for small family; and 3) L for large family.

Project	Location	# Units	Income Level	Type	Eff.	1B	2B	3B	4B+	Special Needs
Amity Manor	Amity	36	M	E	0	36	0	0	0	2
Weidner Manor	Amity	24	M	E	0	24	0	0	0	3
Southgate	Bern	45	L	E	0	45	0	0	0	4
Brooke Estates	Birdsboro	40	L	E & S	13	16	7	4	0	0
Birdsboro Estates	Birdsboro	36	M	S	0	12	24	0	0	2
Chestnut Court Apts.	Birdsboro	16	L	E	0	16	0	0	0	2
Hillcrest Village	Boyertown	72	M	S&L	0	0	34	34	0	4
Rittenhouse Apts.	Boyertown	24	L	E	0	16	8	0	0	1
Warwick Apts.	Boyertown	12	L	E	0	12	0	0	0	0
Sencit Townhouses	Cumru	201	M	E	0	200	1	0	0	10
Stony Creek	Exeter	25	L	S	0	2	11	12	0	2
Laurel Court	Fleetwood	20	L	E	5	15	0	0	0	2
Tarsus Manor	Fleetwood	33	M	E	0	33	0	0	0	2
Clearview Apts.	Hamburg	37	M	S	0	12	25	0	0	3
Wyndcliffe House Apts.	Hamburg	100	M	E	0	100	0	0	0	10
Saucony Cross	Kutztown	83	M	E	0	80	3	0	0	6
Park Terrace	Mohnton	48	M	S	0	24	24	0	0	1
Park Terrace East	Mohnton	44	M	E	0	28	16	0	0	0
Jefferson Heights	Muhlenberg	27	L	S & L	0	3	7	13	4	1
Queen of Angels	Muhlenberg	45	L	E	0	45	0	0	0	3
Glenside Homes	Reading	400	L	S & L	0	112	208	72	8	20
Episcopal House	Reading	140	M	E	82	58	0	0	0	3
Sixth Ward	Reading	10	M	S & L	0	0	4	4	2	0
Emma’s Place	Reading	10	M	S	0	0	0	10	0	1
Hugh Carcella Apts.	Reading	120	L	S	60	60	0	0	0	12
Jamestown Village Apts.	Reading	275	L	S	0	121	154	0	0	1
Hensler Homes	Reading	102	L	E	0	102	0	0	0	5
Oakbrook Homes	Reading	526	L	S & L	0	96	188	162	80	0
Franklin Tower	Reading	50	L	E	16	34	0	0	0	2
Kennedy Towers	Reading	150	L	E	80	70	0	0	0	4
G. Rhodes Apts.	Reading	156	L	E	104	52	0	0	0	8
Eisenhower Apts.	Reading	156	L	E	104	52	0	0	0	8
S. Hubert Apts.	Reading	70	L	S	42	28	0	0	0	4
Sylvania Homes	Reading	128	M	S	24	40	48	16	0	0
Beacon House	Reading	13	M	S	0	3	7	3	0	2
Bookbindery	Reading	41	L	S	0	24	14	3	0	9
Reading Elderly	Reading	200	M	E	0	185	16	0	0	18
B’nai Brith	Reading	174	M	E	89	86	0	0	0	18

The Bakery Apts.	Reading	11	L	S	0	3	3	2	0	0
Penn’s Common Court	Reading	46	M	E	0	37	9	0	0	3
Market Square	Reading	38	M	E	0	38	0	0	0	3
The Lincoln Residences	Reading	52	M	E	0	52	0	0	0	11
River Oak Apts.	Reading	15	M	S & L	0	12	0	3	0	3
Hampden House Apts.	Reading	144	M	S&L	0	56	80	8	0	0
Century Hall Apts.	Reading	15	L	S	0	3	12	0	0	1
Oakshire	Reading	90	L	E	0	45	45	0	0	8
Furnace Creek	Robesonia	24	M	E	0	24	0	0	0	1
Noble Manor	Shoemakersville	18	M	E	0	18	0	0	0	1
Cacoosing Meadows	Sinking Spring	25	L	S	0	1	13	11	0	2
Penns Crossing	Spring	52	L	E	0	52	0	0	0	4
Wilson Townhouses	Spring	40	M	S	0	14	18	8	0	0
John F. Lutz Apts.	St. Lawrence	39	M	E	0	34	5	0	0	3
Heilman House	Topton	50	L	E	0	50	0	0	0	5
Lutheran Meadows	Topton	50	L	E	0	50	0	0	0	5
Northvale Hill	Womelsdorf	40	L	E	0	40	0	0	0	2
TOTAL		4438			619	2372	986	368	98	225

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that during fiscal year 1995 there were 546 cases of children who had lead levels above 15 micrograms per deciliter in the County. The numbers and levels are shown in the following chart.

15 ug/dl 19 ug/dl	20 ug/dl 24 ug/dl	25 ug/dl 49 ug/dl	50 ug/dl 69 ug/dl	> = 70 ug/dl	<6 years SUM
212	95	88	0	1	396

Homelessness represents the most extreme breakdown of our country's housing and social service systems. It affects a wide range of populations, which can be broadly classified in two categories: those who suffer from chronic disabilities and those who suffer from crisis poverty. Recent studies have shown that homelessness persist despite the often heroic efforts of thousands of selfless not-for-profit providers, advocates and others who have dedicated limitless hours and untold energy over the past decade to helping those in need. Unfortunately, the problem still persists.

A "Point In Time" survey was conducted for the 24 hour period beginning 8 AM January 24 to 8 AM January 25, 2003. This time period was used because it was both a Friday and a near the end of the month. The shelter and other housing providers determined that the highest demand for services coincided with end-of week and end-of-month periods. Although this winter we experienced relatively mild temperatures, the population in the shelters was considered typical for this time of the year. A point in time count was used because it provides the only comprehensive count of all homeless facilities at this time. Several service agencies participated as well, providing a small part of the count of unsheltered homeless. Of the housing providers, 100% of the providers responded. The United Way, the Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness and the County are planning to implement a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) client tracking system which will be able to provide more comprehensive data.

Point in Time Survey

Tables 7 and 8 portray the current inventory of homeless beds or units and the projected need over the next five (5) years. Priority definitions used in the tables are:

During 2003, the Coalition adopted a 5 year strategic plan. The goals and actions of the plan has been included as part of the City and County Consolidated Plan for 2004-2008.

Goal #3 - Expand the MH/MR Supportive Living Program by 50%.

Goal #4 - Expand the number of permanent housing with supportive services by 100 units.

Goal #5 - Expand homeless prevention programs.

Sewer and water services are two of the most important types of infrastructure needed to support development. These can be provided by two basic methods: on-site, functioning to serve a single lot only, or publicly, where an entire area is included within a system.

Facilities provided for the good of the general public are typically considered within this category. The requisite for inclusion within a comprehensive plan comes from Section 301.4 of the Municipalities Planning Code (as amended) which states,

Recreational needs within the County are met by approximately 420 publicly- and privately-owned facilities (indoor and outdoor), with outdoor areas exceeding 53,700 acres. Table 9 below lists recreational areas and acreage by type of ownership:

The public and many sectors of government have realized that the general health and welfare of the population is contingent upon assuring a safe, clean environment and providing for the enforcement of health related regulations. Increases in either population or non-residential development will trigger the need for higher levels of emergency services. Jurisdictions must constantly evaluate growth trends in order to assure adequate maintenance and expansion of service. Some services adhere to municipal boundaries while others do not. Circumstances in one municipality can impact the needs of adjacent municipalities. The services should be coordinated, and in some cases consolidated, to provide maximum benefits.

In 1993, the United Way of Berks County undertook its first community-wide needs assessment, collecting input from more than 1,000 Berks Countians, to obtain a representative sampling of opinions concerning the quality of life in our community.  Entitled Berks 2000 – Anticipating the Needs of Our Growing Community, the survey was part of a larger nationwide effort by United Ways using a research methodology known as COMPASS which had been developed by United Way of America and used in over 400 communities throughout the United States to document, analyze and begin to strategically plan for the needs and issues facing our society.

Five years later, in 1998, the United Way of Berks County replicated the research project, collecting data from  community members (Household Survey), targeted community leaders (Key Informant Survey) and, for the first time, expanding the dialogue to include youth respondents (Youth Respondent Survey).  In addition, similar to the previous effort, the United Way obtained statistical socio-economic data for the County which, when reviewed in conjunction with  the results of the various surveys, add a greater dimension of appreciation for the challenges we face in improving the County for ourselves, our children and future generations. 

Of the 20 neighborhood issues, urban respondents' rated the seriousness of only one issue, "Use of farmland for development", significantly less than that of the rural and suburban respondents. Urban households perceived 18 neighborhood issues to be critical problems in their neighborhood more frequently than did rural and suburban households. Table 10 is a comparison of the top ten neighborhood issues by location subgroups. Issues of the same rank were cited by the same percentage of respondents. Shading represents issues ranking in the top ten of all three subgroups.

Since data from the Berks 2000 Update was used to analyze the public service needs of the City and County, the critical public services needs for the Plan are the same but prioritized: Crime, Employment, Child Care, Recreation, Substance Abuse.

Berks Economic Partnership was formed with the mission statement of "To provide leadership for economic development in Berks County through aggressive marketing aimed at creating sustainable and diverse employment opportunities for today’s and future generations. To mobilize the multiple resources of the Berks economic development community, providing a platform for swift action to attract new industries, retain existing industries, and foster a competitive business environment. To provide stewardship and balance surrounding growth and opportunity for the future." The primary functions of the Partnership are: Business retention and expansion; Community preparation; New business development.

The Partnership is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of both public and private members. The Board meets periodically to discuss and establish goals, policies, and progress. A smaller Board-appointed Executive Committee attend to matters requiring more frequent or unscheduled attention, such as meetings with prospects and negotiation of incentives and agreements. The County provided an initial funding of $400,000 for the Partnership with other funding coming from the membership.

Five Year Strategic Plan

This section highlights the City and County's housing and community development needs. The section has been developed based upon input received during the citizen participation process and an analysis of needs and problems experienced by City County residents described earlier in the Joint Consolidated Plan. The priority needs and strategies are the result of a logical progression from the demographic profile and the citizen participation process.

HUD recently issued CPD Notice -03-09 with the purpose of encouraging each community to develop and utilize a state or local performance measurement system. Measuring performance at the state or local level is critical to flexibility-driven programs such as CDBG, HOME and ESG. As much as HUD’s requirements will allow, the City and County will cooperate to develop and implement one system.

Over the next several years, the City and County will be developing and implementing a performance measurement system. The communities will be reviewing systems that have been established by similar communities, participating in any HUD sponsored training on the topic, and generally gathering information that will help develop such a system. By program year 2005, a joint system will be implemented that reflects a way to gauge what constitutes success implementing federal funds provided by HUD.

The primary funding sources for the City and County are annual CDBG, HOME and ESG Program allocations from HUD. The programs represent the only predictable source of funding which may be used for housing and community development activities. The City and County have actively utilized available resources to address its community needs. Continuing efforts will be made to expand funding from both private and public resources.

A summary of the City and County’s priority community development needs are presented in Table 12. The table also indicates the number of expected units to be accomplished during the 5 year period of the Joint Consolidated Plan

The Joint Consolidated Plan for FFY2004-2008 contains the City’s Action Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2004. For FFY2004, the City anticipates receiving approximately $3,800,000 from the CDBG Program and $500,000 in program income, $1,100,000 from the HOME Program, and $135,000 from the ESG Program. The estimated amount to benefit low and moderate income persons for the CDBG Program is 75%. Should displacement occur as a result of any project or activity, the City follow the Uniform Relocation Act regulations. The following is a list of the City’s proposed projects:

Berks Redevelopment Authority......Parking Facilities $350,000

Code Office......................................Clearance Activities $320,000

C.D. Department..............................Section 108 Loan Payments $429,700

Code Office.....................................Code Enforcement $250,000

Police Department...........................Community Policing $377,000

C.D. Department.............................Commercial Facade Program $50,000

C.D. Department.............................Residential Facade Program $100,000

C.D. Department.............................Other Facade Programs $50,000

C.D. Department.............................General Administration $810,000

Public Works...................................Public Facilities $510,000

Public Works...................................Public Improvements $580,000

Recreation Department....................Youth Programs $223,000

TOTAL $4,049,700

ESG Program

C.D. Office...........................................General Administration $5,000

Opportunity House................................Operations & Maintenance $75,000

Opportunity House................................Essential Services $40,000

Mid Penn Legal...................................Homeless Prevention $15,000

TOTAL $135,000

C.D. Department...................................General Administration $110,000

Neighborhood Housing Services..........Home Ownership Program $150,000

Reading Revitalization Program...........Affordable Housing $840,000

TOTAL $1,100,000.00

The Joint Consolidated Plan for FFY2004-2008 contains the County’s Action Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2004. For FFY2004, the County anticipates receiving approximately $3,300,000 from the CDBG Program and $34,500 in program income, $710,100 from the HOME Program, and $109,000 from the ESG Program. The estimated amount to benefit low and moderate income persons for the CDBG Program is 100%. Should displacement occur as a result of any project or activity, the County follow the Uniform Relocation Act regulations. The following is a list of the County’s proposed projects:

C.D. Office.............................................General Administration $229,500

C.E.D. Office..........................................General Administration $25,000

Planning Commission.............................General Planning Activities $125,000

C.D. Office.............................................Section 108 Loan Payment $500,000

Planning Commission.............................Intergovernmental Cooperation $130,000

Ruscombmanor.......................................Houck Road Storm Sewer $40,000

Children’s Home of Reading..................Custer Building Renovations $400,000

Washington............................................Road Improvements $65,000

Berks Redevelopment Authority............Parking Facilities $350,000

Lower Heidelberg..................................Palm Road Improvements $50,000

Wyomissing...........................................Stone House ADA Improvements $110,000

Lenhartsville..........................................Public Sanitary Sewer System $300,000

Exeter....................................................Butter Lane Storm Sewer $105,000

Bernville...............................................Umbenhauer Park Improvements $35,000

Bernville...............................................Third Street Improvements $20,000

Cumru...................................................Route 222 Sanitary Sewer $150,000

West Reading.......................................Chestnut Street Pump Station $150,000

Boyertown............................................Curb Ramps $40,000

Literacy Council..................................Literacy & ESL Services $80,000

Cumru.................................................Street Improvements $105,000

Topton................................................Curb Ramps $55,000

Spring Municipal Authority.............Water Conservation Project $105,000

Boyertown........................................Sanitary Sewer Improvements $150,000

West Reading...................................K-9 Police Unit $15,000

TOTAL $3,334,500

C.D. Office...........................................General Administration $3,000

Mary’s Shelter......................................Operations & Maintenance $12,600

Easy Does It..........................................Operations & Maintenance $10,500

Berks Women in Crisis........................Operations & Maintenance $50,900

Berks Community Action Program....Homeless Prevention $32,000

TOTAL $109,000

C.D. Office...........................................General Administration $45,000

Neighborhood Housing Services..........Affordable Housing $630,100

Neighborhood Housing Services..........CHDO Operating Expenses $35,000

TOTAL $710,100

Two (2) joint public hearings in conjunction with the development of the Joint Consolidated Plan. The first hearing was held on April 24, 2003 at the studios of Berks Community Television.. The purpose of the hearing was to obtain the views and comments of citizens concerning the City and County’s housing and community development needs. The second was held on October 21, 2003 at the studios of Berks Community Television. This location provided for interaction with home viewers. The purpose of the second hearing was to obtain the views and comments of citizens regarding the draft Joint Consolidated Plan and projects proposed for funding by the City and County. Copies of the notices and minutes of the public hearings are included.

The County C.D. Office publishes a newsletter called "CD Notes" three (3) times a year. It is a joint publication with articles about City and County projects. Articles about the Joint Consolidated Plan process appeared in the newsletter. Copies of the newsletter were also available on the C.D. Office web page.

This summary is designed to give citizens an opportunity to comment on the Joint Consolidated Plan as well as the City and County 2004 Action Plans. Please submit written comments for the County’s Plan to: Kenneth L. Pick, C.D. Director, County Services Center - 14^th Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601 by November 6, 2002. Please submit written comments for the City’s Plan to: Adam Mukerji, C.D. Director, Community Development Department, City Hall - 3^rd Floor, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601

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Berks County Community Development Office - ph 610-478-6325