Background
At the September 24, 2019, City Council Workshop, the City Council reviewed the partnership agreement between the City and Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County (HFHWC) to continue to administer the City’s Home Repair Program for FY20. The council also reviewed the addition of use of energy and water conservation funding for the FY20 Home Repair program. The funding for the administration of the City's Home Repair program is from three sources resulting in three separate agreements with HFHWC:
- The first agreement (Attachment 1) is for the renewal of the partnership agreement with HFHWC to administer the City's Home Repair program as performed in FY18 and FY19 with $25,000 from the General Fund.
- The second agreement (Attachment 2) is the agreement with HFHWC for the administration of $15,000 in energy conservation funding for eligible repairs and improvements.
- The third agreement (Attachment 3) is the agreement with HFHWC for the administration of $15,000 in water conservation funding for eligible repairs and improvements.
The partnership agreement for FY2020 (Attachment 1) includes the same goals, eligibility requirements, eligible activities, budget, measures of effectiveness and reporting process as the FY2019 partnership agreement as outlined below:
Goals
Under the agreement Habitat will agree to further the City’s goals to:
(1) provide home repairs to homeowners with limited resources;
(2) avoid demolition by neglect by code enforcement;
(3) maintain neighborhoods (neighborhood revitalization);
(4) ensure safety; and
(5) provide accessibility.
Eligibility Requirements
The partnership agreement maintains the City’s program guidelines for eligibility. The home on the application must be owner occupied for at least two years (person who lives in the home owns the home and has done so for a minimum of two years), and the applicant must be the homeowner(s). Property taxes must not be outstanding on the property, or the owner must be enrolled in a program with the Tax Assessor. Applicant must submit proof of identification, ownership, and payment of property taxes. The applicant must meet the income eligibility requirement of 50% median income.
Eligible Activities
Eligible repairs include exterior improvements (roofing, siding); weatherization (windows); energy efficiency/conservation (plumbing, electrical); accessibility; and safety.
Budget
Funding for the program, $25,000, was approved during the FY2020 budget process. The agreement reflects Habitat’s request for an allowance of 10% of the funds to be spent towards volunteer insurance. The agreement maintains that permit fees will be exempted as directed at the July 24, 2018 City Council meeting. Upon expiration of the Agreement, or upon Termination pursuant to Section 5 of the Agreement, Habitat shall return to the City any unused portion of the funds.
Reporting Process
Habitat will provide a final report to the City in the format prescribed in the attached Exhibit A of the agreement on or before December 31, 2020. The report will include: (1) how the City’s funds were used; (2) an analysis of the completed work furthered the City goals, and (3) the total numbers served and the total number of Georgetown citizens served.
The second and third agreements (Attachments 2 & 3) include the goals, eligibility requirements, eligible activities, budget, measures of effectiveness and reporting process as outlined below:
Goals
Under the agreement Habitat will agree to further the City’s goals to:
(1) Reduce per capita water usage
(2) improve customer energy efficiency
(3) provide home repairs to homeowners with limited resources;
Eligibility Requirements
The partnership agreement maintains the City’s program guidelines for eligibility. The home on the application must be owner occupied for at least two years (person who lives in the home owns the home and has done so for a minimum of two years), and the applicant must be the homeowner(s). Property taxes must not be outstanding on the property, or the owner must be enrolled in a program with the Tax Assessor. Applicant must submit proof of identification, ownership, and payment of property taxes. The applicant must meet the income eligibility requirement of 50% median income.
Eligible Activities
Eligible repairs include energy efficiency/conservation measures (weatherization, energy star approved appliances) and water efficiency/conservation measures (plumbing, fixtures).
Budget
Funding for the program, $15,000 for water conservation related home repairs and $15,000 for energy efficiency related home repairs, was approved during the FY2020 budget process. The agreement reflects Habitat’s request for an allowance of 10% of the funds to be spent towards volunteer insurance. The agreement maintains that permit fees will be exempted as directed at the July 24, 2018 City Council meeting. Upon expiration of the Agreement, or upon Termination pursuant to Section 5 of the Agreement, Habitat shall return to the City any unused portion of the funds.
Reporting Process
Habitat will provide a final report to the City in the format prescribed in the attached Exhibit A of the agreement on or before December 31, 2020. The report will include: (1) how the City’s funds were used; (2) an analysis of the completed work furthered the City goals, and (3) the total numbers served and the total number of Georgetown citizens served.
Requested Action
Staff is requesting Council to approve the three funding agreements (Attachments 1-3) with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County to administer the Home Repair Program with City oversight and financial support.