ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005
* Home Improvement Program - rehabilitated 12 single family dwellings.
* Rental Rehabilitation Program - rehabilitated 283 multifamily units.
* Housing Rehabilitation Program Support - completed marketing, developed staff
capacity to operate, lead based paint compliance and hazard removal grant
program, energy, and Minor Home Repair Program.
The Home Improvement and Rental Rehabilitation Programs operated on a targeted
basis within Census Tract #’s 6101, 6102, 6104, 6107, 6108 and 6109. The program
is also available citywide to income eligible households in need of moderate to
substantial rehabilitation on owner occupied and rental housing units. All
projects selected for assistance were based on income eligibility of owner
occupied households or 51% of the tenants residing in rental property. Each
property demonstrated a documented need for code repairs. The City used the
following programs to carry out this objective:
a. Owner occupied loans range up to $65,000 per unit, and rental loans up to $35,000
per unit with 3% interest and 15 year terms. (In special circumstances owner occupied loans can be increased to $100,000)
b. Emergency Repair Loans for immediate repairs up to $5,000 with no interest.
c. Energy Loans of up to $20,000 to reduce energy costs.
d. Lead based Paint grants not to exceed $10,000 per property in conjunction
with loans.
e. Housing Accessibility modifications were made at no cost to homeowners with
disabilities.
f. Minor Home repairs were granted at a maximum $500 per household.
LEAD BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION
The City has positioned the Home improvement Loan Program for compliance with
new lead based paint laws. Staff is trained and certified to
conduct risk assessments and to test for the presence of
lead hazards.
A grant program of up to $10,000 per household has been established from
Redevelopment funds to assist owners participating in the Home Improvement
Program to remove lead hazards. Any costs above the $10,000 maximum would be
provided through the Home Improvement Loan. This program is necessary in order
to comply with Lead Based Paint rules and at the same time, not affect the
marketability of the Home Improvement Loan Program. The first such project is
under consideration at this time.
The City is attempting to coordinate capacity building as an economic
development activity in both training programs for low-income persons who want
to work in lead hazard removal and assisting small businesses to build capacity
to carry out lead hazard abatement. Discussions have been held with Opportunity
Industrialization Center West (OICW) regarding connecting certified workers with
contractors qualified to carry out lead hazard removal.
The Home Improvement Loan Committee is charged with making decisions on program
design issues, underwriting standards and approval of low interest loans to
low-income homeowners and landlords to promote preservation and affordability.
Their contributions further implement the City’s Consolidated Planning Strategy.
The Home Improvement Loan Committee contributions further implement the City’s
Consolidated Planning Strategy by increasing the affordable housing stock for
low and very low-income households.
• The Home Improvement Loan Program will preserve the housing stock, promote
decent safe and sanitary housing and remove lead based paint hazards in housing
occupied by children. This program will also provide emergency grants to low
income homeowners as well as improvements for mobile homes.
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