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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19C - MOBILE HOME LOAN INCREASEREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: APRIL 7, 2015 TITLE: MOBILE HOME HARDSHIP PROGRAM LOAN LIMIT INCREASE {STRATEGIC PLAN NO 5,3) �l L� CITY MANAGE RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: :--:• S, ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Approve an increase to the maximum loan limit amount from $5,000 to $12,000 and programmatic revisions to the Mobile Home Hardship Program. DISCUSSION Santa Ana has about 30 mobile home parks that provide approximately 3,976 mobile home spaces. These parks provide affordable housing options for many extremely -low, very-low, and low- income residents. At least seven mobile home parks are age restricted for seniors. Currently, the City of Santa Ana ( "City ") offers a Mobile Home Hardship program. This one -time, forgivable loan of up to $5,000 at zero percent interest is available to households that meet the following criteria: • Total annual household income at or below 50 percent of the area median income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); • Applicant age 62 or older; or • Applicant experiencing long -term physical or mental disability, which has inhibited their ability to obtain gainful employment. The loan proceeds are utilized to correct code, health and safety deficiencies. General improvements and upgrades are not supported by the program. The loans are partially forgiven each year of continued ownership and occupancy based on the following schedule: Length of Continued Ownership Percent of Loan Forgiveness Up to 1 year 0% 1 year and 1 day to 2 years 20% 2 years and 1 day to 3 years 40% 3 years and 1 day to 4 years 60% 4 years and 1 day to 5 years 80% Greater than 5 years 100% 19C -1 Mobile Home Hardship Program April 7, 2015 Page 2 Under the new HOME Final Rule, the City must require the scope of rehabilitation work to address major systems, ensuring that they have a useful life of at least five years upon project completion, and meet the required property standards. Since the program began, construction and materials costs have increased, which limits the amount of work that can be completed within the $5,000 budget. Currently, eligible applicants are being turned down due to the cost to properly rehabilitate their mobile home exceeds the maximum loan amount, and the applicants do not have the financial capability to contribute their own funds to cover the balance. In the event that loan proceeds are estimated to be insufficient to properly rehabilitate the home, the applicant is expected to contribute their own funds to cover the balance. In order to ensure that the program remains effective, staff is recommending that the maximum loan amount be increased up to $12,000 and offered to all Santa Ana residents with a total household income at or below 50 percent area median income including seniors, disabled households, veterans and artists. Two mobile home rehabilitation projects were completed in this current fiscal year. Currently, there are three projects in the pipeline that would benefit from the program increase. All other program guidelines will remain the same. The proposed amendments to the Mobile Home Hardship Program will allow staff to meet the new requirements of the HOME Final Rule and provide loans to more eligible households within Santa Ana. Currently, the City has allocated $200,000 in HOME funds for fiscal year 2014 -15 for the single family home and mobile home rehabilitation program. The proposed amendments align with the City's Housing Element, Five -Year Strategic Plan and the Five -Year Consolidated Plan. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this items allows the City to meet Goal #5 (Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability), Objective #3 (Facilitate diverse housing opportunities and support efforts to preserved and improve the livability of Santa Ana neighborhoods). FISCAL IMPACT Funds are available in the HOME Program Resident Rehabilitation Loan (Account no.13018780- 69151). I Re es Executiv Director Community Development Agency KR/SS /nv /sb APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS: Francisco Gutierrez Executive Director Finance and Management Services Agency 19C -2