HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2022 04.B.i.Community Integration Committee recommendations regarding the Single Family Home Repair Program 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. B.i.
For Meeting of: December 13, 2022
ITEM TITLE: Community Integration Committee recommendations regarding the
Single Family Home Repair Program
SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Earlier this year, the City Council referred review of the City's Single Family Home Repair
program to the Community Integration Committee (CI C) and directed the committee to bring
forward recommendations on how to improve the program to the City Council. The CI C has
conducted several discussions regarding the program and has developed recommendations to
improve it, which will be presented to the City Council at its December 13th regular meeting.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council accept the CI C recommendations and direct staff to
incorporate them into a redesigned Single Family Home Repair program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
CIC Recommendations re: Single Family Home Repair 12/6/2022 Cover Memo
Program
2
Memorandum
To: City of Yakima City Council
From: Community Integration Committee
Date: December 13, 2022
Subject: In response to City Council request to provide recommendations Regarding Single
Family Repair Program to Increase Diversity
The Community Integration Committee reviewed the program on June 13, 2022 and August 15,
2022 and November 14th. Recommendations discussed and voted on are as follows:
1. City program needs to explore new ways to increase diversity of program participation.
a. Not all families have computer access or are comfortable on-line. A paper option to
apply and in-person assistance is still needed.
b. Consider partnering with religious organizations, community centers and other
agencies to help share information and outreach on their programs.
c. Non-profits and community-based groups have more credibility and trust than city
staff to the public and to those most qualified and needing home repairs.
d. Publish more information about the program in both English and Spanish
e. Advertise outside of the Yakima Herald and the El Sol
f. Participate in community fairs and events where they might have direct contact with
residents in need.
g. Add a bilingual staff person to the program to do outreach and education
2. Broaden the group of families eligible to apply for the funding. Currently the funds are
limited to families with residents 65 years and older or with disabled family members. Open
up the program to families with children who own their home and are income eligible.
a. Consider lowering the income from 80% of the Median Family Income to 60%of the
Median Family Income which would reduce the number of families eligible but
assists families of lesser income.
b. Work with schools to help get the word out on the program. Or consider utility bill
stuffer.
3. Develop an annual schedule for process of funding awards, which would make the program
more predictable.