03/07/2000 RA RPT 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF RIVERSIDE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM Honorable Mayor and Agency Members Date: March 7, 2000 Item No.: 6 Subject: Request for Implementation of a Home Improvement Rebate Program - Arlington Riverside Neighborhoods Revitalization Target Area - Fm-xds Tr~-'lsfer Background On June 23, 1998 the City Council approved the Riverside Neighborhoods Revitalization (RNR) program, a focused neighborhood program designed to match municipal resources with neighborhood insight to form "action plans" for the stabilization of neighborhoods. RNR begins with a community wide survey and a staff evaluation of community infrastructure and "soft assets" (churches, nonprofit groups, schools, etc.). This information is used during a series of monthly community meetings where short-term and long-term goals (area specific projects) are set and implemented. It has been a desired long-term goal of the Arlington RNR Task Force to implement a program that would facilitate exterior home improvements. The RNR Task Force feels that an exterior improvement program is necessary due to the age of housing in the Arlington area (built-out by the early 1960's) and the lack of housing infrastructure improvements going on in the area. There are approximately 430 homes in the Arlington RNR area that might qualify for an exterior improvement program. Staff has researched exterior home improvement programs from the cities of Fontana, Long Beach, Ontario, and Anaheim for the purpose of implementing a pilot program for use in the City of Riverside' s Arlington RNR target area. Current Issue Staff now requests approval to implement a rebate program for the purposes of improving the exteriors of single family homes that are viewable from the street. These rebates would also be available to correct minor deficiencies in conjunction with the City's code enforcement program (i.e., landscaping ordinance, etc.) as they pertain to the visible exterior of a home. Criteria for this program would be as follows: · This program would cover single family, owner occupied, homes in the Arlington RNR target area; Would be available to target area residents who earn at 120% of the Riverside County Median Income (adjusted for household size) and below; · Would allow for rebates to a maximum of $2000 for most types of exterior improvements to a home that are visible from the street (with the exception of roofs, which are covered under the citywide CDBG program); · The rebate program would pay for 80% of eligible improvements, up to the maximum program amount; · Rebates are made upon the submittal of approved receipts to the City. One hundred percent of all rebates must be used for exterior beautification/rehabilitation (i.e., no cash is provided to the homeowner); · Loud house paint colors, or improvements not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood would not be eligible for reimbursement; · Tools and supplies (such as tape, paint brushes, rakes, power tools, etc.) are not eligible rebate items; · All rebates are made on a first come, first served basis; · The City must approve a scope of work for all projects before work is to commence; 6-1