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Session 1788 <br />July 10, 2000 <br /> <br />Trees, Forestry <br />Home Rehab Administration <br />Rehabilitation of Private Property <br />(low interest loans) <br />Proposed Street Repair Project <br /> Total <br /> <br />$ 45,000 <br />$ 1,500 <br /> <br />$ 25,020 <br />$ 69,500 <br />$201,200 <br /> <br />Mr. Munkel moved approval. Ms. Colquitt seconded the motion. <br /> <br />Responding to Ms. Colquitt, Mr. Ollendorff stated that they have deleted any assistance for <br />rental properties and in its place, in part, are adding the $25,020 for low interest loans to <br />low income owner occupants. <br /> <br />Susan Crowe, Chairperson for U. City East Housing and Diversity Committee, 6764 <br />Chamberlain, said that a proposal was submitted to the Council at the June 26th meeting <br />regarding developing an emergency home repair program, in addition to the current home <br />repair loan program. A special program is needed because there are many residents who <br />cannot afford the 3% repayment rate on the current loan program. They have talked to <br />many residents who need to make immediate repairs on their homes and the current <br />process and waiting time on the current loan program is too long. They were hoping this <br />$25,000 program could be instituted which would help residents in need get the funds <br />without having to go through the lengthy process that it takes to apply for the home <br />rehabilitation program. This program would be a grant-based program and not a loan <br />based program. <br /> <br />Shirley Richman, 840 Oakbrook, wished to thank Council for allocating $3,000 for the <br />County Homeless Shelter. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner said that he thought that the proposal that Ms. Crowe referred to was a worthy <br />proposal. He was not sure how this type of program could be administered within the <br />block grant budget. He asked Mr. Ollendorff if there was any way to address the concerns <br />of Ms. Crowe's proposal within the confines of our present low interest loan program or <br />elsewhere in the community development block grant. Mr. Ollendorff responded that yes <br />the improvement of private homes can only be done through the existing program. It meets <br />federal rules and regulations and the County standards; for example reviewing income <br />eligibility, application process, the inspection of the property. It is not permissible to have <br />a separate shortcut type of program. It is permissible to make emergency home repairs, <br />but through our existing program. He suggests taking the $25,020 that has been <br />requested by the citizens and put it into our existing program, earmarking it for low interest <br />loans to low income home owners for emergency repairs, but it will have to go through the <br />regular process. <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br /> <br />