RM 08-15-75 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. NEWIBUSINESS (Cont'd 4) Non- Profit Group Rehabilitation involvement, would be expanded to take in all e projects IN at we are involved with. The specifics are outlined in the regulations and the guidelines for the four separate programs. As far as major changes in the contrac- tual requirements -- talking about construction contracts - -we are re- commending that a couple of the insurance requirements be altered specifically, as far as subcontractors are concerned, as the pro - perty insurance requirements, I believe, were set a little bit too high under the Revenue Sharing Program. The other alteration is that, under Community Development, we are no longer required to request a separate wage determination from the Department of Labor. We are able to use the existing union rates for the City of South Bend, which is a first under our rehabilitation programs, and we are very happy about that aspect." There were no questions from the Commissioners. Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins to support the above recommendations, as outlined, seconded by Mr. Cira and carried. Ms. Jeanne Derbeck, Reporter for The South Bend Tribune raised the question, "What is the HAO referral? Why should the City be in- volved in this ?" Mr. Crighton said the "program is to take up an existing gap between our two housing programs. All of our programs have been designed so that there is little or no overlap, and, in this particular program, we are involving citizens that are over 62 years of age, and these would be people who have gone to the Housing Allowance Program that do not have the resources to make the recommended repairs on their homes. In other words, they would qualify for monthly subsidy from the Housing Allowance Program, but they would have to make the repairs before they could get it. In this case, if they meet the HAO guidelines, then they would qualify for grant assistance under our program. We would re- pair the home; they would go to HAD and be able to get their monthly subsidy, but they have to be over 62 years of age. The home would be brought up to standard." Commissioner Wiggins advised the money that the people get from the HAO can help pay their rent, interest or mortage payments, taxes, utility bills, home maintenance and other housing expenses. "Now, the one big problem that HAO has, as it appears, is that it will not accept a house under this program unless the house is already up to Code at the time it is accepted. The other problem that is a matter of some concern is that many of the people who would be eligible for housing assistance are, by reason of age, or for other reasons, would find it difficult to obtain a loan, or supervise the repair of their home and a contractor to make sure that the work was done, done pro- perly and be up to code when finished, and the possibility of not being ripped off in the process. I think this is also an attempt, in some degree, to supervise that operation to prevent these things from happening." - 11 -