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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 HOME REPAIR PROGRAM REQUEST TO WAIVE BUILDING PERMIT FEESDocusign Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 MEETING DATE TO: FROM: SUBJECT: SUMMARY: Agenda Item 6 AGENDA REPORT Reviewed: I I City Manager 19ts Finance Director 9 SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER JUSTINA L. WILLKOM, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JERRY CRAIG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HOME REPAIR PROGRAM — REQUEST TO WAIVE BUILDING PERMIT FEES The City of Tustin has launched a Home Repair Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, as a new resource to the Tustin community. The program is eligible to low and moderate -income Tustin homeowners who are seniors (62+), disabled, or veterans. It provides grants of up to $15,000 for essential home repairs, with a focus on improving the health and safety of the home. The program's goal is to serve eight (8) Tustin homeowners during the first year of the program. In order to maximize the grant funding homeowners receive, it is recommended the City Council waive the building permit fees for approved repairs. Waiving these fees allows the entire grant amount to be expended on labor and material costs, rather than City permitting fees. Waiving permit fees also increases the possibility of additional repairs, and that more homeowners are served by the Program funding. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-57, authorizing the waiver of the building permit fees incurred by eligible participants in the City of Tustin's Home Repair Program. FISCAL IMPACT: A request to waive building permit fees for the Home Repair Program would have a minimal impact on the General Fund. The exact amount cannot be determined at this time due to the range of permit types that may be issued to program participants. Common repairs typically include water heater replacement, window replacement, plumbing, roof repairs/replacement, and electrical work, with permit costs ranging from approximately $70 for simple repairs, to $1,000 for more complex projects. The total amount of waived fees will be tracked and documented in the program's annual report. Docusign Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 City Council Agenda Report Home Repair Program Fee Waiver Request September 17, 2024 Page 2 CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN: Administration of the Home Repair Program falls under Goal A of the City of Tustin's Strategic Plan pertaining to Economic and Neighborhood Development. Goal A of the Strategic Plan strives to enhance the vibrancy and quality of life in all neighborhoods and areas of the community, which is a primary goal of the Home Repair Program. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On April 16, 2024, as part of Tustin's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, the City Council approved a new Home Repair Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. The program is eligible to low and moderate -income Tustin homeowners who are seniors (62+), disabled, or veterans. It provides grants of up to $15,000 for essential home repairs, with a focus on addressing the homeowner's health and safety repair needs. Creation of a Home Repair Program is a requirement within the workplan for Tustin's Certified 2021-2029 Housing Element to address substandard housing and is intended to be supported annually using CDBG funds, with the goal of assisting eight (8) Tustin households during its first year. During the design of the Home Repair Program, it was determined that waiving building permit fees would maximize the funding available to Tustin homeowners participating in the program. Common repairs covered within the program include water heater replacement, roof replacement, window replacement, plumbing, and electrical work, with permit costs ranging from approximately $70 for simple repairs, to $1,000 for more involved repairs. Waiving these fees allows the entire grant amount to be expended on labor and material costs, which are continually increasing, rather than being used to cover City permitting fees. Community Outreach Strategy Since this is Tustin's first year offering a Home Repair Program, a robust community outreach strategy has been developed to ensure that program information reaches the Tustin community. Completed outreach efforts include: • E-blasts to local non -profits who provide senior, disabled, and veterans services to the community (i.e. Council on Aging, Tierney Center for Veterans Services, Patriots & Paws, Dayle McIntosh Center, etc.) • Social media features (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Talkin' Tustin monthly flyer, etc.) • Webpage for the Home Repair Program(www.tustinca.org/homerepairprogram) • Marketing materials in English and Spanish (Attachment 1) • Brochures/flyers printed and distributed at the Senior Center, City Hall, and Tustin Library • Spotlight feature(s) on the City Website Docusign Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 City Council Agenda Report Home Repair Program Fee Waiver Request September 17, 2024 Page 3 Planned outreach efforts in the near future include: • Continued e-blasts to local non -profits who provide senior, disabled, and veterans services to the community (i.e. Council on Aging, Tierney Center for Veterans Services, Patriots & Paws, Dayle McIntosh Center, etc.) • Continued social media features (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Talkin' Tustin monthly flyer, etc.) • A Habitat for Humanity representative presenting the Program to the Senior Center • Additional distribution of marketing materials through water bills and direct mailers to local churches • Targeted outreach to low/moderate income areas in the City • Education and information sharing through Code Enforcement CONCLUSION: The recommendation to waive building permit fees supports participants in Tustin's Home Repair Program, allowing them to maximize their grant funding for necessary repairs rather than City permit costs. This initiative not only aligns with Tustin's Strategic Plan to enhance neighborhood vibrancy, but also addresses the goals of the City's Certified 2021-2029 Housing Element. Based on the findings provided, staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-57, waiving the building permit fees for the Home Repair Program. E;,F97677838E410_ ned by: Prepared by: For: Adrianne DiLeva Management Analyst II CSigned by: Approved by: C3F97677838F410... For: Justina L. Willkom Community Development Director EDocuSigned by: AOF8C80 Jerry Craig Deputy Director of Economic Development Attachments: 1. Home Repair Program Marketing Materials 2. City Council Resolution No. 24-57 Envelope ID: A378MAB-68A3-461 D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 'vim+" N10 11 HOME REPAIR PROGRAM 1 for Humanity" of Orange County For income -qualified Tustin Seniors, Disabled Individuals,and Veterans Our Home Repair Program* The Program provides grants up to $15,000 for eligible home repairs to low and moderate -income homeowners at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Eligible repairs will focus on health/safety improvements which include but are not limited to: Repair, replacement, and/or installation of major systems: • Plumbing a Roof o Heating o Paint • Electrical a ADA modifications a Windows o Lead/Asbestos abatement Who we are Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is a non-profit organization that builds and repairs homes for families who could not otherwise afford to do so. Habitat OC has been selected by the City of Tustin to help implement our Home Repair Program. Habitat OC has been providing repair services for more than 15 years in Orange County and proud to be a member of the Tustin Community. Eligibility To apply you must meet the following criteria: Low and moderate -income Tustin homeowners, who are either Seniors, 62 years of age and older, Disabled or Veterans Home must be owner -occupied Home must be a single-family residence, townhome, condominium, or manufactured housing Maximum household income must fall below the levels on this chart adjusted to family size: '023-24 Income Guidelines household Size 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 -ow-Income Maximum income required $88,400 1 $101,000 $113,650 $126,250 $136,350 $146,450 HUD 2023 -24 Low household income for Orange County Our Goal. To help low and moderate income families in Tustin improve their living conditions by focusing efforts on health, safety,and accessibility through critical home repairs. Y g p ��ellllllllo Application Process Applying for the program is a multi- step process that begins with filling out the online inquiry form on our website: www.HabitatOC.org/home-repair 5-Step Process: 1.Online inquiry form 2. Initial walk-through 3. Full application 112111 4. Assessment EMAL HOUSING OPPORTUNnV 5. Acceptance Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461 D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 �%'� W4 `Ma ��Q1 j vim+" N 1 for Humanity" of Orange County Nuestro Programa de Reparacion de Viviendas El Programa ofrece subvenciones de hasta $15,000 para reparaciones elegibles en viviendas de propietarios con ingresos bajos o moderados, que esten en o por debajo del 80% del Ingreso Medio del Area (AMI). Las reparaciones elegibles se centraran en mejoras de salud/seguridad que incluyen, pero no se limitan a: . Reparacion, reemplazo y/o instalacion de sistemas principales: o Fontaneria a Techo o Calefacci6n o Pintura o Electricidad o Modificaciones para complir con la Ley sobre o Ventanas Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA) Eliminacion de plomo/amianto Quienes somos Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (Habitat OC) es una organizacion sin fines de lucro que construye y repara viviendas para familias que de otro modo no podrian hacerlo. Habitat OC ha sido seleccionada por la Ciudad de Tustin para ayudar a implementar nuestro Programa de Reparacion de Viviendas. Habitat OC ha estado proporcionando servicios de reparacion durante mas de 15 anos en el Condado de Orange y esta orgullosa de ser miembro de la Comunidad de Tustin. Elegibilidad Para aplicar, debe cumplir con los siguientes criterios: Propietarios de viviendas en Tustin con ingresos bajos o moderados, que sean personas mayores de 62 anos o mas, discapacitados o veteranos. • La vivienda debe ser de ocupaci6n por el propietario. • La vivienda debe ser una residencia unifamiliar, casa adosada, condominio o vivienda manufacturada. El ingreso maximo del hogar debe estar por debajo de los niveles en este cuadro ajustado al tamano de la familia: F—Proceso de Solicitud 2 23-24 Income Guidelines Household Sze 1 2 3 4 5 Low -Income Maximum income required $88,400 1 $101,000 $113,650 $126,250 1 $136,350 $146,450 HUD 2023 -24 Low household income for Orange County Nuestro Objetive Ayudar a las familias de ingresos bajos y moderados en P MFxipFN Tustin a mejorar sus condiciones de vida, centrandose en NF,IIhIII,`>= = la salud, la seguridad y la accesibilidad a traves de �,al��ll�lloe�W EpUAL HOUSING reparaciones criticas en sus viviendas. OPPORTUNITY Solicitar el programa es Lin proceso de vanos pasos que comienza Ilenando el formulario de consulta en linea en nuestro sitio web: www.HabitatOC.org/home-repair Proceso de 5 WFormulano de consulta en linea 2. Inspeccion inicial 3. Solicitud completa 4. Evaluacion 5. Aceptacion Docusign Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 ATTACHMENT 2 RESOLUTION NO. 24-57 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, ENACTING A WAIVER OF THE CITY'S BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR THE CITY OF TUSTIN HOME REPAIR PROGRAM WHEREAS, on April 16, 2024, as part of Tustin's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, the City Council approved a new Home Repair Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County; WHEREAS, the program is eligible to low and moderate -income Tustin homeowners who are seniors (62+), disabled, or veterans and provides grants of up to $15,000 for essential health and safety home repairs; WHEREAS, creation of a Home Repair Program is a requirement within the workplan for Tustin's Certified 2021-2029 Housing Element to address substandard housing, and is intended to be supported annually using CDBG funds, with the goal of assisting eight (8) Tustin households during its first year; WHEREAS, during the design of the Home Repair Program, it was determined that waiving building permit fees provides additional support to Tustin homeowners participating in the program; WHEREAS, waiving these fees allows homeowners to use up to the maximum grant amount of $15,000 solely for labor and material costs, rather than City permitting fees; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Tustin DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows: SECTION 1. The fees for building permits for the Home Repair Program are hereby waived while this Resolution remains in effect. SECTION 2. This Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon its adoption and shall continue in effect each subsequent year that the Home Repair Program is active. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 17th day of September 2024. AUSTIN LUMBARD, Mayor Resolution 24-57 Page 1 of 2 Docusign Envelope ID: A378D9AB-B8A3-461D-8C58-E562DC6AAEA6 ATTEST: ERICA N. YASUDA, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: FDocuSigned by: '4, DA 'ID8EYKENDIG, City Attorney /msd/ STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS CITY OF TUSTIN ) I, Erica N. Yasuda, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 24-57 was duly and regularly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 17th day of September 2024 by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER RECUSED: ERICA N. YASUDA, City Clerk Resolution 24-57 Page 2 of 2