Mark (NIDC) presented the Strong Homes loan program update to the committee. He said that year to date 52 loans have been approved, obligating $1,090,557 of city funds, and that 79 applications are currently in process. The program provides low-interest deferred-payment loans and technical assistance for critical home repairs, typically serving homeowners of houses built before 1939 who have owned them for more than 15 years.

Staff explained loan types and limits: the maximum Strong Homes loan is $25,000; program options include deferred payment 0% loans, 0% payback loans, and 3% interest payback loans. Staff also described borrower targeting: elderly (age 60+) or disabled households at 60% or less of area median income (AMI) may qualify for the deferred-payment loan; other applicants are eligible for different loan products based on income and age/ability.

The committee asked about underwriting, the loan portfolio, delinquency and cash flow; staff said NIDC currently underwrites and services the loans and that some prior loans were previously sold to Associated Bank but the department now retains underwriting responsibility. The department reported a proposed 2026 appropriation of $1,000,000 for the Strong Homes program.