TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Alexina Jeannite, Grant Manager
THROUGH: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., Executive Director
DATE: November 19, 2019
Title
MODIFICATIONS TO CURB APPEAL RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Approve the modifications to the Curb Appeal Residential Improvement Program Guidelines.
Body
Background:
The Curb Appeal Residential Improvement Program, originally established by the CRA in 2007, helps to enhance the aesthetics of the Northwest and Southwest residential neighborhoods by facilitating minor cosmetic improvements to single-family homes and duplexes. The program funds a variety of improvements, such as roof repair and replacement, landscaping, irrigation, exterior painting, and driveway improvements, with a maximum possible grant award of $15,000.
The elimination of slum and blight within the Community Redevelopment Area is a priority for the CRA. The Curb Appeal Residential Improvement Program is designed to assist in this goal by providing grants to the owners of single-family residential properties for minor exterior property improvements that can improve the aesthetics of a residential dwelling and increase property value.
In order to further clarify the guidelines and reduce barriers to access for program applicants, modifications were made. The most significant update is related to roof repair and replacement. Currently, the guidelines allow any homeowner to request assistance for roof repair and replacement, does not prioritize non-insured homeowners. This amendment would limit eligibility for roof repair and replacement only to non-insured homeowners and require that funding requests include a proof of insurance denial letter (refer to page 3 of the attached guidelines). This change allows the most disadvantaged households the ability to fix their roof, obtain insurance within a certain time period, thus making them eligible to meet the other program requir...
Click here for full text