Title
GCRA Housing Programs Update (NB)
Explanation
The GCRA has opened four new housing-related programs for applications since the start of 2022. These programs are the My Neighborhood, Heirs’ Property Assistance, Neighborhood Paint, and the Home Energy and Water Efficiency Initiative. In total, there will be five programs sponsored by the department. Each program is a component of a comprehensive strategy to maintain the culture and population of neighborhoods, as defined in the GCRA 10 Year Reinvestment Plan.
This agenda item updates the GCRA Advisory Board about the department’s five housing programs. This item will also discuss what Staff has done to inform members of the public about the open programs. Outreach tasks accomplished include a press release, presentations at neighborhood associations, presentations at stakeholder events, social media posts, and postcard mailers.
A summary about each program and an update on where the program is currently at is listed below:
1. The My Neighborhood Program offers up to $25,000 towards purchasing a home or vacant lot. Applicants must have lived in a program neighborhood for at least three years before 2011. Eligible neighborhoods include Cedar Grove II, Duval, Fifth Avenue, North Lincoln Heights, Pleasant Street, Porters, Springhill, and Sugarhill.
a. Update: The first application period for this program ran from January 15 through March 31. The program awarded funding to four applicants. The next application period will run from May 1 through July 31.
2. The Heirs’ Property Program offers free probate legal assistance to individuals with heirs’ property. The department provides the program district-wide.
a. Update: The program has received 15 applications as of April 5, 2022.
3. The GCRA-CWC Partnership is an agreement between the GCRA and Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC) to offer ...
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