D.  2006-07 Housing Capital Funds Grant

The purpose of this forum is to receive citizens’ comments on using the 2006-07 Housing Capital Funds Grant.

Purpose

The Town may use the annual Housing Capital Funds Grant for renovating and otherwise improving the public housing neighborhoods, and for services to public housing residents.

Federal rules give priority to work needed to meet requirements such as:

• testing for and removing or otherwise controlling lead-based paint;
• testing for and removing or otherwise controlling asbestos; and
• renovations to meet the needs of disabled citizens.

Estimated Grant for 2006-07

The 2005-06 grant was $601,700.  We have not received notice of the amount for 2006-07, but estimate that it would be about the same.

Current grant funds are being used primarily for renovations at the Airport Gardens public housing neighborhood.  This year, work is expected to begin on renovations of 11 apartments in the North Columbia Street neighborhood. 

Next Steps

The Housing and Community Development Advisory Board will review the Preliminary Proposal for the 2006-07 Capital Fund Plan on March 28, 2006.  On April 10, 2006, we plan to recommend that the Council consider a 2006-07 plan for using these funds.