Title
Approval of Healthy Homes (HH) & Power of Home (POH) Program Guidelines, Citywide.
Body
WHEREAS, there is little to no assistance available for low-income Saint Paul homeowners who need substantial or specific home repairs before they can access weatherization services;
WHEREAS, the existing weatherization assistance programs are oversubscribed; and
WHEREAS, there are no assistance programs available for the most energy burdened Saint Paul residents to electrify their homes; and
WHEREAS, lower income homeowners are more likely to adopt weatherization and electrification later due to high upfront costs; and
WHEREAS, lower income homeowners are at risk of paying higher natural gas costs in the future as higher income residents electrify their homes; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to reduce energy costs and improve health & comfort for all residents; and
WHEREAS, the Healthy Homes program will provide financial assistance to low- households to address health & safety repairs necessary to weatherize their homes and subsequent weatherization measures; and
WHEREAS, the Power of Home program will provide financial assistance to the most energy-burdened households to electrify their homes; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council takes the following action:
Approval of the Healthy Homes program guidelines and budget; and
Approval of the Power of Home program guidelines and budget; and
Authorizes the staff in the Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) to implement and administer the programs according to the adopted program guidelines; and
Authorizes the PED Director to enter into contract agreements with the Center for Energy and Environment and relevant trades contractors as needed for the implementation of these programs according to the adopted program guidelines; and
The PED Director, staff, and legal counsel for the City are further directed and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution.