SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the recommended updates to the Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program guidelines for the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area (NGCRA).
Body
SUMMARY:
The North Greenwood CRA Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program provides financial assistance to homeowners for exterior (and certain qualifying interior) improvements to enhance neighborhood aesthetics and pride. Staff has reviewed the current program guidelines and recommends updates to simplify application processes, align funding with current construction costs, clarify eligibility, and improve consistency across program administration.
Recommended Summary Changes:
• Program Funding: Increase maximum grant award from $20,000 to $25,000 to align with rising construction and material costs.
• Program Scope: Allow limited interior repairs for life-safety issues or damage caused by exterior conditions while maintaining primary focus on exterior improvements.
• Match Waiver: Simplify the match structure to a flat 5% for households 0-120% AMI. Community service can waive match at $150 per hour, up to a maximum of $25,000. Clarifies eligibility, timing, and approval processes, including staff designee approval.
• Payment Clarity: The grant is a reimbursement grant payable to the homeowner upon completion of the project receiving funding. The applicant is responsible for paying the contractor and must submit acceptable proof of payment. Partial reimbursements may be considered for work completed in phases; however, reimbursements for contractor payments shall not occur more than once every 30 days, unless otherwise approved by the CRA Director. However, the CRA Director may approve payments from the CRA to a licensed contractor for the cost of materials and/or permits. If payment is approved, such contractor may be paid for work performed before the completion of a project provided such contractor is not paid more than once per every 30 days.
• Eligibility Updates:
o Homeowners must be current on mortgage payments or provide proof of an approved payment plan.
o Limits of $25,000 per homeowner within a 36-month rolling period, with exceptions for ADA or life-safety issues.
• Administrative Updates:
o Remove the requirement for homeowners to provide three contractor quotes.
o Correct grammatical errors, deleted notary and updated CRA address, and clarify household size reporting, and added clarity to application questions.
o Applicants must receive a “Finding of Project Completion” within 365 calendar days from the date of application approval. After the said 365 days, the grant will expire.
These updates simplify program administration, provide greater flexibility for applicants, and ensure the Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program continues to support NGCRA and City strategic goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds for this program are available in project R2401, Residential Improvement Program.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
