Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant programs, the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program
Gary Ballew, Assistant City Manager
*Jesse Mooney, ONDS Program Supervisor
The attached resolution authorizes the City Manager to apply for two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants that will expand the City's capacity to address critical health, safety, and accessibility needs in local homes. Yakima is among the highest need counties in Washington for lead hazard abatement, with an estimated 58% of housing units built before 1978 and therefore at elevated risk for lead based paint exposure. The City's Office of Neighborhood Development Services (ONDS) currently operates the Emergency Home Repair Program, which assists income qualified homeowners with essential repairs including roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and accessibility modifications such as wheelchair ramps.
To address growing community need, the City intends to apply for $4 million through HUD's Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which supports identification and mitigation of lead-based paint hazards and requires a 10% local CDBG match over a four-year period. The grant can be used to replace siding and windows, as well as other activities that are not allowed under the City's existing Emergency Home Repair Program. In addition, the City will apply for $2 million over three years through HUD's Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program, which funds low-cost accessibility and safety improvements for low-income seniors with no match requirement. These funds will be sufficient to maintain and expand funding of the City's current Emergency Home Repair Program.
Adopt Resolution.