Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve new Residential Improvement Grant program for the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency subarea
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: The West Ocala Vision Community Plan was adopted in December 2011 as a continuation of the Ocala 2035 Vision. This began to lay the groundwork for the development of a West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area. The West Ocala CRA Plan identifies several blighted conditions within the subarea including deteriorated or deteriorating structures; needed site and other improvements; lag in assessed values of real property compared to City average; and unsafe living conditions. The CRA plan calls to “develop grants, incentives and funding mechanisms to support redevelopment with a focus on low-income and affordable housing.” The CRA aims to provide grants and incentives to encourage private redevelopment investments that are consistent with the redevelopment plans. The proposed program supports the following Goals and Objectives of the West Ocala CRA Plan:
• Goal 3, Objective 4: Establish programs to remediate dilapidated and nuisance properties for reuse and resale opportunities.
• Goal 3, Objective 6: Seek additional funding opportunities and partnerships with community affordable housing providers to upgrade blighted housing and remove unsafe/unsanitary conditions for low-income individuals and families.
• Goal 3, Objective 7: Identify suitable areas of West Ocala for the purposes of the development of new housing opportunities which incorporate energy efficient materials and appliances.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The proposed program will be the first CRA residential grant program established in the West Ocala Subarea. The grant for residential renovations will help to keep existing housing stock in good repair with up-to-date utilities. In addition, property owners are faced with higher project costs due to a significant increase in building materials and construction costs in recent times. Improving the existing housing will encourage the construction of new housing as existing housing quality improves in the community.
West Ocala Residential Improvement Grant details
Eligible Areas - All neighborhoods in the CRA subarea.
Eligible Properties - Single-family and duplex. Owner-occupied and rental.
Eligible Work - Exterior painting, repair and replacement of windows and doors, fencing, reroofing, demolition, weatherization, and new construction.
Max Grant - $20,000
Required match: City (75 percent) - Applicant (25 percent)
On February 15, 2024, the West Ocala CRA Advisory Committee recommended approval of the program. The Committee finds that the program is an integral step in continuing the neighborhood revitalization. Staff supports establishing this grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: Adequate funding for future grant requests is available in the West Ocala CRA grant account 623-016-560-559-55-82010. The account has a total balance of $320,783 for Fiscal Year 2024. Out of the total balance, $150,000 will be allocated for the affordable housing grant program which is presented elsewhere in this agenda. If approved, a balance of $170,783 will be available for other grant programs in the West Ocala CRA subarea.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Table
• Deny