Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 11. 4.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	08/20/2015
Issue: Escambia County Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant Program
Department:	Community & Environment
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Escambia County Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant Program - Tonya Gant, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning the Escambia County Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant Program (Program):

A. Modify the Program requirements to allow the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to fund all repairs for income-eligible homeowners and to clarify associated CDBG program requirements; and

B. Authorize the County Administrator or his designee to execute all Program related documents as necessary to implement the Program.

[Funding: Fund 129/CDBG, Cost Centers 370210 and 370217]

BACKGROUND:

The Board approved the Escambia County Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant Program on July 10, 2014 to assist citizens affected by the severe flooding from April 2014 (Exhibit I). The program as approved allowed for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to be used in whole or in part for applicants at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Eligible clients with incomes at or below 50% AMI would have 100% of eligible repairs covered by CDBG funds, up to $20,000. Clients between 51% and 80% AMI were required to contribute 25% of the total project funding. The grant application suggests that clients must pay all costs up front (mirroring the CRA Residential Rehab grant), with the County reimbursing the homeowner at project completion.

Eligible applicants in this income range are unable to pay for the repair project up front or contribute the 25% match for owners in the 51-80% AMI range. Additionally, contractors are unwilling to bid on jobs without assurance of full payment for repairs. Applicants should also be aware that the County will also have to attain compliance with HUD Lead Based Paint (LBP) regulations, which will mandate homeowner participation in the County LBP grant program if any CDBG funding is being utilized. Additionally, applicants receiving CDBG funds must be owner occupants.

Staff recommends that all eligible applicants at or below 80% AMI will be eligible for up to $20,000 in CDBG funds, with no matching requirements. In order to receive the CDBG Disaster funds, pre-1978 homes will have to be tested for LBP. If any LBP is found, the applicant will have to agree to participate in the LBP abatement program jointly with the CDBG Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant Program. Neighborhood Enterprise Division staff may also need to assess whether a program applicant will need to be temporarily relocated during the program repairs. A Program Application incorporating the suggested revisions is included in Exhibit II.

No changes are recommended regarding applicants above 80% AMI that live in the Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Palafox, or Warrington Community Redevelopment Areas.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

CDBG Residential Rehab Disaster Assistance Grant funds are budgeted in Fund 129/2012 CDBG, Cost Center 370210 (formerly 220403) and 2013 CDBG, Cost Center 370217 (formerly 220452). Modifications to this program do not affect CRA funds.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

Not applicable to this recommendation.

PERSONNEL:

No impact related to personnel associated with this recommendation.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

Program changes must be approved by the Board. Contractor bids to be paid from CDBG funds will be solicited through advertisement and awarded to the lowest responsive bidder.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Homeowners will apply through the Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) to determine program eligibility. NED is working with the Long Term Recovery Group, legal services, and case workers to make outreach to remaining homeowners needing assistance from this disaster.

Attachments
Ex I-Recommendation
Ex II-Revised Application Guidelines