8.1. HRSR 10-07-2019
Request for Action
To Item Number
Housing and Redevelopment Authority 8.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session October 7, 2019 Amanda Othoudt, ED Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Blighted Properties Discussion Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Information presented for discussion purposes.
Background/Discussion
At the August 5, 2019, meeting, the HRA discussed two programs the city implemented to improve the
community’s housing stock, the Blighted Properties Residential Forgivable Loan Program and the HRA
Rehabilitation Loan Program.
At their September 3, 2019, meeting, the consensus of the HRA was to continue discussing possible
changes to the Blighted Properties Program. The commission directed staff to look at programs in other
cities and present the information at a future work session.
Kristin DeGrande, Housing Programs Coordinator from Coon Rapids will be presenting information on
their Front Door Program, a PILOT program that offers grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to enhance curb
appeal. Grants typically equal 15%-25% of the project amount.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
N/A
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
City of Coon Rapids
Grant Application
Your Information
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NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
ALTERNATE PHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
SIGNATURE(S) FOR ALL PERSONS LISTED AS AN OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY — CERTIFYING THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE AND
ACCURATE.
Program Intent
The intent of the Front Door program is to pay aop rtion of project costs to Coon Rapids property owners who
will make certain exterior improvements to the front (street side) of their home, increasing its curb appeal which
benefits the entire community. There are no income limits to participate in this program. This is a new program in
2019.
The application deadline has been extended to Wednesday, May 22, at 4:30 p.m. The application must
be in our office or email by the deadline to be eligible. Projects must cost at least $4,000 to receive a
$1,000 grant.
Property Type (only 1-4 unit owner -occupied buildings are eligible)
❑ Single Family Home ❑ Townhome ❑ Twin Home ❑ Condo ❑ Multi -unit Building # of units
Eligibility Requirements (all conditions must be met to be eligible)
❑ I own and live in the home.
❑ My home has homestead status with Anoka County Property Records.
❑ 1 am current on my Anoka County property taxes.
❑ My property value is less than $400,000 based on Anoka County estimated property value.
❑ Funding from multiple City programs is possible, however, any project receiving a grant through the Front
Door program cannot be considered for a grant through the Home for Generations II program.
❑ 1 have not yet started my home improvement projects. Work cannot begin until required paperwork has
been submitted, City permits have been pulled, and a Participation Agreement has been signed.
Grant (Maximum Grant: $5,000. Minimum Grant: $1,000.)
Grants will equal either 15% or 25% of your individual project costs. A 15% grant will be awarded to Basic projects,
while a 25% grant wil be awarded to Beautification projects. See page 2 for detail on qualifying projects for
each category. You can be awarded for a grant from each category, not to exceed a total maximum grant of
$5,00D As an example, if you were planning to re-site your borne, instali a new roof. and install stone on the
-front of your home, thenthe sidiml and roofing would quaffy for a 15% grant (through the Basics category) and
the stonework would quollify for a 2'5% dant (through the Beautification categoryl
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Grant Application
Page 2 of 4
All eligible projects must be visible from the street. To be eligible for a grant, you must include at least one
project from the Beautification list. Repair and/or replacement of items that experienced storm damage will not
be eligible for funding through this program. Your contractor bid(s) and/or material lists (if you are doing the work
yourself) that you will be required to submit after you apply will determine your grant amount. Please check
which of the following projects you are planning to do at your house:
Basic Projects (15% grant)
❑ Roof
❑ Siding
❑ Painting
❑ Soffit
❑ Fascia
❑ Trim
❑ Gutters
❑ Windows
❑ Chimney repair, tuck -pointing, repointing
❑ Deck (repair or replace)
❑ Porch (repair or replace)
❑ Retaining Wall (repair or replace)
Beautification Projects (25% grant)
All applications must include at least one project
from this list.
❑ Front door, storm door, and/or garage door
❑ Sidelight windows by front door
❑ Columns at front door
❑ Covered front porch
❑ Brick, stone, or shakes
❑ Alter roofline on front of house
❑ Landscaping (includes tree trimming, removal and
replacement of overgrown and/or dead items,
planting new trees, shrubs, plants, and/or flowers)
❑ Driveway, sidewalk (repair or replace, stamped
concrete)
❑ Shutters (add or replace)
❑ Screening of utility boxes and/or garbage and
recycling cans
❑ Fence (add, repair, or replace)
Landscape Architectural Consultations - Optional
If landscaping is part of your project, you are eligible for a 2 hour at-home consultation with a landscape architect,
which will be discounted to $25. If you would like a landscape consultation, please check the "yes" box and
information will be emailed to you about scheduling this appointment.
4 Would you like a landscape consultation? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Financing - Optional
The City has low-interest loans available to help finance the balance of your project. Interest rates range
between 1% - 4% with no income limits. For more information, please contact the Lending Center at the Center
for Energy and Environment at www.mncee.orglc or 612-335-5884.
Don't Forget
Work cannot begin until:
• Grant application has been submitted (pages I - 2)
• Site plan with a scope of work and contractor bids and/or material list have been submitted to the City
• City permits have been pulled
• Participation Agreement with the City has been signed
* Please see pages 3 — 4 for more information about the steps you must follow to be approved for this grant
program.
Email completed application to Kristin at kdggrande@coonrapidsmn.gov
Have questions or want to mail or drop off application? Contact:
Kristin DeGrande, Housing Programs Coordinator, 763-767-6517, kdegrande@bcoonrapidsmn.gov
Coon Rapids City Hall, 11155 Robinson Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
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-- Keep this information for your reference --
Grant Application
Page 3 of 4
Application Process (if you are selected through the Lottery Drawing on May 29)
Submit Front Door Grant Application.
❑ Step 1 The City must verify that you and your property are eligible to proceed in this Date:
program. A confirmation email will be sent to you.
Landscape Architectural Consultation - Optional
❑ Step 2 If "yes" was marked on your application, information on scheduling a consultation
will be emailed to you. The City is subsidizing the cost to meet with a landscape
architect. Homeowners pay $25 for this consultation.
Determine your final project list.
It's always a good idea to write down your project needs and wants before you
❑ Step 3 start meeting with contractors. With a plan in hand, you will be able to present a
contractor with a clear vision of your project so they can provide you with a more
accurate bid/estimate.
Collect bids from contractors and/or material lists (for do it
yourself projects).
❑ Step 4 It is always a good idea to get at least 2 or 3 bids for your project so you know if Date:
you are getting a good value. For any work you plan to do yourself, you must
obtain a materials list from each supplier/home improvement store, showing items,
quantities and prices for the materials you plan to buy.
Apply for and secure your financing.
The grant through this program will only fund a portion of your total project cost.
If you need financing, you should start to apply for financing now and get pre -
approved so you know for how much you can qualify. You are not required to
❑ Step 5 use the City's financing, but it is an option. If you apply for a City low-interest loan,
you must submit your bid(s) for your projects and funds are disbursed upon
completion of work (with progress payments throughout the project being an
option). If you would like more information about the ]%-4% loan with no income
limits, contact the Lending Center at the Center for Energy and Environment,
612-335-5884, loaninfo@mncee.org, or www.mnlendingcenter.org.
Submit your site plan, scope of work, and bid(s) to the City.
Since all eligible projects must be visible from the street, we ask that you provide
the City with a basic sketch of your yard/house, listing your projects and showing
❑ Step 6 where in your yard/on your house your projects will be taking place. You must
also submit a copy of your chosen contractor bids and/or material lists. This
information can be sent by emdi to . 7nde@coon-; or delivered
in person to the Buildng inspections counter at City Hall.
Apply for permits.
❑ Step 7 If you are hiring a contractor, they should do this step. If you are doing the work.
you wi# be required to do this step. You may contact Building Inspections at
763-767-6476 with any questions regarding permits.
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Grant Application
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Sign Participation Agreement with the City.
When your bid(s) have been submitted and your building permits issued
❑ Step 8 (approved, paid for and picked up), you must schedule a time to come in to City
Hall and sign your Participation Agreement. After the participation agreement has
been signed funds will be reserved for you and your oroiect. Your grant amount
will be determined at this time and cannot be increased after this date.
❑ Step 9 Schedule with your contractor to begin work. Date:
All work must be completed within 180 days of signing the Participation Agreement
Complete work and have all permitted work inspected and
❑ Step 10 approved.
Call Building Inspections at 763-767-6476 to schedule inspections. View inspections
results online at coonrapidsmn.gov/epermits.
Schedule a final walk-through with the City (separate from
❑ Step 11 Building Inspections). Date:
This walk-through will verify that the scope of work completed included only
eligible projects and did not substantially change from your original submitted plan.
Grant will be disbursed to you.
❑ Step 12 Final invoices from contractors or receipts from suppliers will need to be submitted
to verify final project amounts. Once this information is received, grant requests
will be processed. Your check will be mailed directly to you.
Consider showcasing your project.
The City of Coon Rapids would like to showcase some of these exceptional
❑ Step 13 projects in an annual home tour or other promotional event. City Staff may
contact you in the future about this or other options to document and/or
photograph your project.
Fr"tte-r
ENHANCE YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL
Questions? Please contact:
Kristin DeGrande, Housing Programs Coordinator, 763-767-6517, kdegrande@coonra idn smn.gov
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