Agenda - Council - 02/28/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Anoka County Housing Rehabilitation The purpose of the County Housing Rehabilitation program is to assist low and moderate income homeowners in bringing their homes up to State and local codes for health, safety and weatherization. Funds are used to replace siding, windows, roofs, heating systems, hot water heaters, plumbing, electrical, etc. There are currently 3 homes in the Ramsey area on the waiting list. Recipients are selected on a fu:st come, fu'st served basis. Ramsey is in what is referred to as Area 2 which includes the communities of Andover, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Spring Lake Park. Unless CDBG funds are allocated specifically to a Ramsey resident, none of the 3 Rarnsey applicants will receive assistance in 1995. The minimum cost per project is $15,000. Total $15,000.00 RecOmmendation: Update Housing Element Of Comprehensive Plan The Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan-has not been updated since 1980, An update would inventory existing housing stock and needs, and develop a plan for diversified housing in the various age and income categories. Total $20,000.00 It would appear from Council's allocation decision in 1994 that they do not want to promote the practice of public service agencies becoming dependent upon CDBG funds to meet their annual budgets. However, they are interested in contributing some portion of CDBG funds to public service agencies as long as they are available. The 'old town hall is the only one-room schoolhouse existing in Anoka County. For years, a building .preservation project has been an item that never quite makes it onto any priority list and remains just a topic of discussion. It appears that it may be permissible to use CDBG funds as Ramsey's matching dollars for this grant. Paving the paths at Central Park has been a real amenity to that facility. However, the City may be able ~to get a better price per foot if we tack the paving of the remainder of the trails onto another pavigg project and fund the improvement with in-house funding sources. From City Staff's standpoint, the Anoka County Housing Rehabilitation program is a very cost efficient use of CDBG funds. After Council adopts the resolution allocating funds to this program, there are no cumbersome contracts to draft and execute and Anoka County takes over all administration of the project from that point on. The drawback to this program is that the minimum cost per project is $15,000 and that is a substantial amount of funds to be allocated for the benefit of one family or homeowner. It ha~ been suggested that the interns budgeted for 1995 take on the task of drafting an update to the City's housing element of the Comprehensive Plan. With research being performed by the Anol~a County HRA in this area, there should be a substantial amount of material for the interns to draw upon. It should be noted that the Arc and NSCAH requests are for advocacy projects. The CEAP and Meals on Wheels are food programs for low income persons. Alexandra House is requesting a contribution for their shelter and Rise is requesting cost share assistance for a van for their pro,am. Staff does not believe the City shoud be in the business of funding advocacy efforts by non-profits. We also continue to be concerned that when CDBG funding constraints occur, these I I I I I I I ! I I I I I I I I I I