FROM:
Housing
SUBJECT:
Title
Authorization to Apply for 2024 Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Authorize the Fontana Housing Department to apply for the 2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program (OAHMP).
2. Authorize the City Manager, or City Manager’s designee, to execute and transmit any documents necessary or desirable to ensure the City's timely submittal and execution of the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program (OAHMP).
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by pursuing financial participation from county, state and federal governments.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program (OAHMP) on September 20, 2024 making approximately $30 million dollars available to eligible applicants.
The OAHMP Grant is a comprehensive program that makes safety and functional home modifications and repairs to meet the needs of low-income seniors. The goal of this program is to enable low-income elderly persons to remain in their homes through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications to reduce the risk of falling, improve general safety, increase accessibility, and to improve their functional abilities in their home. Eligible participants will be evaluated by an occupational therapist to determine which modifications are most appropriate, up to a maximum of $5,000. Those units that require additional work to make the home safe, may combine other appropriate City programs.
The City would utilize the three-year grant program funds as follows:
• Qualified housing units must be located within the City of Fontana
• Targeted homes will be those units where low-income older adults sixty-two (62) years and older reside as their primary residence.
• Eligible residents can be either homeowners or renters.
• Modifications include but are no limited to: grab bars, railings, tub/shower transfer bench, raised toilet seats, risers for chairs and sofas, and non-slip strips.
• Outreach and education that helps promote program participation.
• Participants must have a combined household income of not more than 80% of median income (“lower” income), adjusted for family size.
• Assistance will be provided in the form of a grant to eligible units.
• Program Administration
The City of Fontana will be requesting $2 million in program assistance from HUD.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with the approval of this item is an increase in Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program funds in the amount of $2 million dollars. The required budget adjustments will be included in the first available quarterly budget report after grant award in Fund 301 if received.
MOTION:
Approve Staff Recommendation.