There is hereby created and established a Housing Rehabilitation Board to serve in advisory capacity to the governing body with the functions and duties outlined in Section 5-1003.

(Code 2001, 5-1001)

The Housing Rehabilitation Board shall consist of five (5) members to be appointed by the Mayor and with the consent of the governing body. All members shall be residents of the City and shall serve until termination of the Board (see 1-805). Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term and all members shall serve without pay. The City Building inspector shall be an ex-officio member. At the beginning of the program, the Board shall elect a chairman and vice chairman who shall serve for the term of the program.

(Code 2001, 5-1002)

The Housing Rehabilitation Board shall have the following functions and duties:

(a)   Receive and review applications for housing rehabilitation grants;

(b)   Decision making authority concerning repair and/or demolition of existing housing, with appeal to the governing body in case of a dispute.

(c)   Receive bids and award contracts for housing rehabilitation.

(d)   Authorize change orders to work in progress;

(e)   Approve final inspections of housing rehabilitation work and recommend payments be made to the contractor by the governing body;

(f)    Establish policy where not otherwise specified; and

(g)   Recommend changes in program guidelines to the governing body.

(Code 2001, 5-1003)

The Housing Rehabilitation Board shall detem1ine meeting times and place. Special meetings may be held on call of the chail1llan. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board shall cause a proper record to be kept of its proceedings.

(Code 2001, 5-1004)

The Housing Rehabilitation Board shall be terminated and the duties eliminated thirty (30) days from and after the filing of the Certificate of Completion with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(Code 2001, 5-1005)

The following guidelines are hereby adopted and shall govern the implementation of the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program:

(a)   PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: The purpose of the rehabilitation program is to provide a safe and decent type of housing and a suitable environment for persons of low to moderate income levels.

(b)   SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM:

(1)   This is a voluntary program. All interested persons must make application before action can be taken.

(2)   Applicants who qualify will be taken on a priority basis of income and assets. An emergency situation will receive priority. All decisions pertaining to emergencies will be made by the Housing Board and/or the governing body, in accordance with HUD guidelines.

(3)   A complete house inspection will be made by the Program Administrator. A work write-up will be prepared, as well as a cost estimate. All decisions concerning repairs to be made to, or the, demolition of, the existing structure will be made by the Housing Board with the right of appeal to the governing board.

(4)   All items on the work write-up will be discussed with the owner, board and contractor, as well as other pertinent information.

(c)   QUALIFICATIONS: To be eligible for a Rehabilitation Grant, the following requirements will have to be met satisfactorily:

(1)  

(2)   The property must have been owned prior to June 1, 1932.

(3)   Assets: An applicant must not have assets in excess of $30,000.

(4)   Title: A Warranty Deed, or a properly executed Contract for Deed shall constitute ownership. In the case of a Contract for Deed, the buyer and seller will be required to jointly execute the contract for rehabilitation work.

(5)   Only properties within the target area will be eligible for grant assistance, except in unusual or emergency circumstances, which includes (g) below.

(d)   USE OF GRANT FUNDS: To connect code violations, overcrowded, unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

(e)   GRANT AMOUNT: The amount of the grant will be the total cost of the rehabilitation, not to exceed $9,000.00, except when unusual conditions requiring additional work on the house is found after a contract has been awarded.

(f)    REPAYMENT. Recipients DO NOT REPAY THE GRANTS, unless a violation of Section (g) qualifications occurs.

(g)   General Objectives of the Rehabilitation Program:

(1)   The program is devised to conserve the City’s present housing stock.

(2)   Minority and handicapped families will receive priority and need not reside in the approved target area.

(3)   A quarterly review of the program is needed for advice on changes and refinements.

(4)   City codes will be used as guidelines for all work.

(5)   All work will be done by a qualified contractor.

(6)   Grants are limited to one per family and one per property, not including emergencies.

(7)   The program should encompass the target area as outlined in the Community Development Application.

(8)   The Housing Board will be responsible for the making of all decisions as to the method used in rehabilitating the property with the right of appeal to the governing body.

(9)   Competitive bids shall be let on each project and the low responsible bidder selected subject to approval of the Housing Board and the governing body. Minority or other contractors may receive negotiated bids, if approved by the Housing Board.

(10) A final inspection of the work shall be made to insure that it fulfills the terms of the grant and contract agreement.

(11) Governing body members, Housing Board members, and City employees or officers shall not be eligible for grant assistance, contract or subcontract for any work, or have any personal interest, direct or indirect, in any contract under this project.

(12) To the greatest extent feasible, opportunities for training, contracting, and employment will be given to low income residents of the designated target area.

(13) Any citizen having received prior grant or loan assistance through the City’s rehabilitation program will be ineligible for any future rehabilitation work.

(Code 2001, 5-1006)