Title
Approving amended guidelines for the Homeowner Rehab Program (formerly the Citywide Rehabilitation Program) (Citywide).
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 469.012, subd. 6, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the "HRA") has the power to develop and administer a housing rehabilitation loan and grant program with respect to property located within the City of Saint Paul on terms and conditions the HRA determines; and
WHEREAS, HRA staff identified the Homeowner Rehab Program (formerly the Citywide Rehabilitation Program) as a means to increase affordability and resources available to low-income homeowners in the City that will build financial stability amidst ongoing neighborhood investment; and
WHEREAS, HRA staff have conducted research and analysis of similar programs across the region and determined that changes to the Homeowner Rehab Program Guidelines are needed to better achieve the program goals of providing affordable residential rehabilitation assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners for the purpose of maintaining and improving their homes; and
WHEREAS, the Yorth group, in a report prepared for Reconnect Rondo, found that over 700 homes were lost to the construction of Interstate 94 in the 1950s; and
WHEREAS, descendants of property owners who had property taken for the construction of Interstate 94 did not benefit from the generational wealth and economic mobility that is a key benefit of homeownership; and
WHEREAS, additional rehabilitation assistance for direct descendants of property owners who had property taken for the construction of Interstate 94 has been identified as a way to mitigate that lost generational wealth and economic mobility; and
WHEREAS, the HRA Board of Commissioners have approved the Homeowner Rehab Guidelines as presented by the HRA staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul:
1. that a Homeowner Rehab Program is necessary as set forth in the amended Homeowner Rehab Program Guidelines presented by HRA staff.
2. that the Homeowner Rehab Program as set forth in the Homeowner Rehab Program Guidelines presented by HRA staff will achieve the program goals of providing affordable residential rehabilitation assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners for the purpose of maintaining and improving their homes.
3. that the Homeowner Rehab Program as set forth in the Homeowner Rehab Program Guidelines presented by HRA staff will also meet the goal of replacing some of the wealth lost to descendants of property owners that lost property in the construction of Interstate 94.
4. that the amended Homeowner Rehab Program Guidelines as presented by HRA staff are approved.
5. that the City Council hereby approves and authorizes City staff to take all actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including finalizing all documents and agreements, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
6. that the proper City official(s) are hereby approved and authorized to execute any and all documents in connection with this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
7. that this Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the City.