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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-06 Correspondence~~~ou. lumpstart/CDBG Flood RecouerY Funding Process begins October 7th, 2008 The City of Iowa City will have applications available on October 7th for homeowners to apply for "Jumpstart/CDBG Flood Recovery Funding." These documents will be available at the Flood Recovery Center located in the lobby of City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City or at the web site: www.icaov.org/recoverv. If a person is unable to access the Internet or is unable to travel to' City Hall, they may call 319-356-5479 to arrange for local delivery of applications. ~ ~~S Applications for Jumpstart are due by 5 p.m., October 14th. Applications for CDBG funds will be accepted until the funds are depleted. One form is used for both types of funding. Staff will be available at the City Hall Flood Recovery Center to assist with filling out the applications for Jumpstart/CDBG funding beginning Tuesday, October 7 through Tuesday, October 14th from 8-6 p.m. (M-F) and Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Questions regarding the application process or other flood recovery issues can be directed to the Flood Recovery Hotline at 319-356-5479, or by e-mail at recovery@iowa-city.org. To be eligible for this funding, flood-impacted residents must have registered for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go to www.fema.aov to register. Flood recovery funds are available for the following specific needs: Funding awards and levels of assistance will be determined by priorities and project eligibility require- ments as established by the City Council at their October 6 meeting. Funding decisions will be announced after October 17th. 1. Down payment assistance (available to homeowners, whether their homes are on the buyout list or not) Individuals whose homes were destroyed or damaged beyond reasonable repair may be offered down payment assistance of up to $50,000 plus up to $10,000 for the full cost of installation of energy- efficient furnaces and boilers, appliances, air conditioners; hot water heaters, windows, and insulation. Down payment assistance will be reduced by the amount of any disaster compensation in excess of any amount necessary to pay off a mortgage on the disaster-affected home. The loan will be forgiven if the homeowner resides in the home for ten years. 2. Housing rehabilitation, can include Energy Efficiency Assistance (for homes not on the buyout list) Individuals whose homes are not slated for buyouts may receive assistance to make repairs of up to $50,000 plus up to $10,000 for purchasing energy efficiency equipment. The estimated cost of repairs shall be reduced by the amount of any disaster compensation received. The loan will be forgiven if the homeowner resides in the home for ten years. 3. Interim mortgage assistance (available only to those whose homes are on the buyout list) Individuals whose homes are slated for buyout are eligible for assistance of up to $1,000 a month to maintain mortgages for a period not to exceed 12 months. The final Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) buyout list will be determined by the City Council at its October 6th meeting. Check for updates at www.icgov.orglrecoverv, or call 319-356-5479 for the final list. Please call 319-356-5479 for additional information. it , ,....._rt~, ~u~l~' ~ --~.~. '" CITY (7F Inl~1;'A CITY ~~ ~ FLOOD DISCUSSION POINTS/QUESTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 6, 2008 (Numbers 1-8 are from the Memo entitled "2008 flood event update" from the City Manager to City Council dated October 2, 2008) 1. Do you concur that the HMGP grant application should be limited to those properties that meet the benefit/cost threshold or receive the BCA Waiver? 2. The HMGP is strictly voluntary. Do you concur that such properties be included on the buyout grant application that meets the benefit/cost requirement or waiver criteria, even if the property owner states they are not interested in buyout funds? 3. Do you concur that properties included in the HMGP application should not be granted Jumpstart housing rehabilitation funds even if they do not want to participate in the buyout program? 4. Do you agree that HMGP eligible properties that do not receive funding from the State and non-HMGP eligible properties that fill in a gap between HMGP eligible properties should be funded through supplemental CDBG buyout funds? 5. Do you concur with the percentage splits that are proposed between the three Jumpstart programs (80% for rehab., 10% for interim mortgage assistance, 10% for down payment assistance?) 6. Shall flood insurance be required for properties receiving Jumpstart or CDBG funding? 7. Shall CDBG eligibility guidelines be followed for the Jumpstart program? 8. Do you concur with staff s recommendation for guidelines for the small business assistance program guidelines? 9. Does Council want to define "small business" as a business with 50 FTEs (full time equivalents) or fewer? 10. Does Council want to limit the use of Jumpstart housing repair/rehab assistance to winterization, which includes all basic systems needed for weatherproofing the exterior shell of the home (siding/exterior sheathing, windows, doors, framing of exterior walls, and insulation) and all electrical service as necessary for furnace function and heating.