Title
CRA Residential Paint Voucher Programs (B)
Explanation
The first Residential Paint program approved by the CRA Board was the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street (FAPS) Residential Paint Voucher Program approved in June 2012. Due to the success of the FAPS program, the CRA Board approved a sister program within the Eastside Redevelopment area in March 2014 and within the Downtown Redevelopment area in October of 2014.
According to the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Redevelopment Plan, the CRA may promote programs and incentives for homeowners to rehabilitate their homes. Such incentives may include low interest rate loans or information on other funding sources for the repair of single- and multifamily homes. Strategies may include, but are not limited to, developing design guidelines, providing design assistance, façade grant and/or paint programs, incentives, and partnerships with both the public and private sector. The goal of these activities is to ensure durable, thoughtful, and high-quality design of the built environment. Staff has utilized these programs to leverage CRA funding and community engagement to make improvements within the Districts.
Like the FAPS Residential Paint Voucher Program, the Eastside and Downtown Programs provide an eligible applicant with a voucher for paint and painting supplies up to $500 to be used for the exterior painting of their home.
Under the current program policy applicant(s) will be responsible for turning in a complete application with required attachments, pressure washing the exterior of their home, meeting with staff and paint supply company to determine colors, quantities of paint and painting supplies needed to complete an exterior paint job. Upon completion of their paint job and CRA inspection the applicant will record a Façade Preservation Easement insuring the property owner will maintain the paint job without any material change for five years.
To date the FAPS Residential Paint Voucher Program has completed fifteen (15) homes; the Eastside Residential Paint Voucher Program has completed sixteen (16) homes; and the Downtown Residential Paint Voucher Program has completed seven (7) homes. In summary, since the inception of the first residential paint voucher programs in 2012 the CRA has improved 38 homes within 3 of our Redevelopment Districts and currently has fourteen (14) pending applications.
One barrier to the project has been power washing. Residents are either unable to identify a reputable power washing company or have been unable to afford the expense of the service. CRA Staff looked into how it could assist participants with this and realized to increase participation it could incorporate the cost of power washing up to $250 per home into the program costs. This would allow the CRA to expend no more than $750 per home for the exterior power washing and painting of the home.
CRA Staff will give an update on program participation and an overview of how the program is proposed to change.
Fiscal Note
Program amounts were increased in the following CRA Trust Funds during the FY17 Amendatory Budget: DRAB #610-790-W221-5520-8900; FAPS #613-790-W501-5520-4280; and ERAB #621-790-W937-5520-4120.
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Approve the CRA Residential Paint Vouchers Programs as described.