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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Ward 3
DATE: May 10, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing a two-year grant in the amount of $27,500 per year in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) and The Neighbor Project to assist qualified residents with projects in the Third Ward.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the program is to supplement costs outside the existing services available within the community through RTA and The Neighbor Project. The funds are intended to supplement, not duplicate, services that are not covered by the current RTA and/or The Neighbor Project programs. This program will be aimed towards helping residents of the Third Ward to correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve safety of their homes.
Eligible homeowners include Aurora's Third Ward residents who live in their homes, who are over the age of 60, military veterans, persons living with a disability, or single parents with a child under 18 years of age, and who meet the established program criteria of RTA and The Neighbor Project. Homes in an historic district are not eligible for this grant program.
The program will be independently administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project in partnership with the City of Aurora, local non-profits, service providers, and community volunteers. The applications are attached and are available in English and Spanish.
BACKGROUND:
In response to requests of residents in the Third Ward, the Alderman met with representatives of RTA and The Neighbor Project to investigate the possibility of aiding homeowners who qualify under their programs.
Rebuilding Together Aurora fees will be 9% of total project cost or $250 per project, whichever is less. The Neighbor Project will provide a billable invoice for time including benefits where projects are over and above what the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project covers to bridge projects not eligible under the deferred or forgivable loan programs.
DISCUSSION:
Descriptions of services include an array of accessibility modifications, both proactive and preventative, based upon need and are administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project to make sure people are not discouraged from applying for other services they may be eligible for through other RTA programs, The Neighbor Project programs, or programs offered by other agencies.
Program criteria are in line with existing RTA and The Neighbor Project processes and protocols to streamline applicants and to collect information in the event a referral for other income-based services is needed. It is expected that five to seven homes will be serviced on a first-come, first-served, case-by-case basis under this grant program, including administrative fees, with a maximum Third Ward Grant up to $5,000 per address. Funds remaining on December 31, 2022 will be returned to the Ward 3 Fund Balance.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this program will help residents of Aurora's Third Ward correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve the safety of their homes based upon individual's needs.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve the annual Third Ward Grant Program in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora and The Neighbor Project in the amount of $27,500 including administrative fees.
cc: Rules, Administration and Procedures (RAP) Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing a two-year grant in the amount of $27,500 per year in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) and The Neighbor Project to assist qualified residents with projects in the Third Ward.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the program is to supplement costs outside the existing services available within the community through RTA and The Neighbor Project, and the funds are intended to supplement, not duplicate, services that are not covered by the current RTA and/or The Neighborhood Project programs, and will be aimed towards helping residents of the Third Ward correct code violations, provide accessibility modifications, and improve safety of their homes, and
WHEREAS, eligible homeowners include Aurora's Third Ward residents who live in their homes outside of an historic district, are over the age of 60, military veterans, persons living with a disability, or single parents with a child under 18 years of age, and who meet the established criteria of RTA and The Neighbor Project, and
WHEREAS, the program will be independently administered by RTA and The Neighbor Project in partnership with the City of Aurora, local non-profits, service providers, and community volunteers, and
WHEREAS, it is expected that five to seven homes will be serviced on a first-come, first-served basis under this grant program, including administrative fees, with a maximum Third Ward Grant of $5,000 per address, and funds are available in the Ward 3 account, 313-1350-419.50-50, and unallocated grant funds remaining on December 31, 2022 will be returned to the Ward 3 fund balance; and
WHEREAS, ON May 18, 2021 the Rules, Administration, and Procedures (RAP) Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said program and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended APPROVAL of said program; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: The Third Ward, in partnership with Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) and The Neighbor Project, will provide a two-year grant in the amount of $27,500 per year to be disbursed on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of $5,000 per address to correct code violations, to provide accessibility modifications, and to improve the safety of homes for qualified homeowners in the Third Ward.