Agenda #1d | Preliminary Proposal for the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program for Public Housing Renovations and Resident Services

AGENDA #1d

MEMORANDUM

TO	Public Housing Program Advisory Board
FROM:	Tina Vaughn, Director, Department of Housing Glenn Davis, Operations and Special Projects Coordinator
SUBJECT:	Preliminary Proposal for the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program for Public Housing Renovations and Resident Services
DATE:	March 25, 2008

The purpose of this memorandum is to present to the Public Housing Program Advisory Board a preliminary proposal for use of funds we expect to receive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program.

We are requesting that the Public Housing Program Advisory Board review the preliminary proposal for the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program and make recommendations to the Town Council.

The Council will consider a proposed 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program on April 14, 2008 for final approval and authorization for submittal to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

SUMMARY

We have not yet received notification from HUD of the amount of the 2008-2009 Capital Fund grant. However, we have developed a preliminary plan based on the 2007-2008 grant amount of $582,700.
We expect to receive notification of the 2008-2009 grant by July 31, 2008.
The preliminary plan includes renovation work in 9 of 17 apartments and site work to conform and comply with Section 504 and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) to provide handicap accessibility throughout our public housing neighborhoods as required by HUD.
The deadline for submitting the plan for the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is April 17, 2008.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates modernization funds for renovation of public housing and support of resident services to localities that manage at least 250 public housing apartments. Funds are allocated under a formula basis rather than through a competitive application process.

Federal regulations require that the Town give priority to completing renovation work related to statutory or other requirements such as asbestos testing and abatement, and renovation work necessary to meet the special needs of disabled persons.

DISCUSSION

We have not received notification from HUD of the amount of the 2008-2009 grant. Therefore, we have developed a preliminary plan for 2008-2009 in the amount of $582,700, the amount of the 2007-2008 grant. Also, the plan includes $200,000 that we recommend the Council allocate for public housing renovations under the 2008-2009 Community Development Block Grant Program. The total amount of the funds that would then be available for public housing renovations and resident services in 2008-2009 is $782,700.

PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL FOR 2008-2009

Proposed Sources of Funds

Capital Fund Program $582,700

Community Development Program $200,000

TOTAL $782,700

Proposed Use of Funds

Renovation of UFAS Accessible Apartments and Sites $627,315

Town Operations Center $ 72,115

Section 504 compliance $ 8,000

Administrative Costs $ 75,270

TOTAL $782,700

The preliminary proposal for the 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program includes the following activities:

1. Renovations to Comply with Section 504 and UFAS Accessibility Standards $627,315

Based on the results of a HUD review, we are required to renovate 17 of the 336 public housing apartments to comply with Section 504 and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). We are also required to renovate our administration and maintenance facilities, community spaces, and common areas throughout all 13 public housing neighborhoods.

Currently, Housing staff is the process of completing renovation work in 7 of the 17 apartments. We estimated that $627,315 of the total amount of funds we expect to be available in 2008-2009 for public housing renovation would complete renovation work in the remaining 9 apartments with single floor or a full bath downstairs and also, renovations in the administration and maintenance facilities, community spaces and common areas throughout the 13 public housing neighborhoods.

Proposed renovation work would include, but would not be limited to, modifications to bathrooms to include roll-in showers or bathtubs with grab bars and in-tub seats, lowered medicine cabinets, handicap accessible commodes, shower spray units and bathroom fixtures; modifications to kitchens to include handicap accessible appliances, sinks, range hoods and cabinets; installing visual alarm systems; widening doorways and corridors to provide assessable routes and clearance; and lowering thermostat controls, electrical switches, clothes rods in closets and shelves and mirrors.

Site improvements will include installing ramps; providing accessible routes to units’ entrances, mailboxes, clothes lines, and dumpsters; and installing accessible parking spaces, signs and curb cuts.

2. Town Operations Center $ 72,115

This activity includes paying the Department of Housing portion of the cost for debt service on the construction of the new Town Operations Center.

3. Section 504 Compliance $ 8,000

We propose to hire an intern to assistant with the preparation of quarterly reports to be submitted to HUD, review and update Housing policies to conform to Section 504 regulations. And also, assist with the processing of residents’ requests for reasonable accommodations as required by HUD.

4. Administrative Cost $ 75,270

This activity includes the administrative cost for coordinating and implementing the Capital Fund activities and training of maintenance staff.

CONCLUSION

Next Steps

Comments received tonight will be taken into consideration in preparing a recommended plan for using the 2008-2009 Capital Fund grant. We will present a recommended 2008-2009 Capital Fund Program Annual Statement for the Council’s consideration on April 14, 2008.

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