CRA approves one-year pilot with Rebuild Together Greater Florida to rehabilitate homes in East Winter Garden

The Winter Garden Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted unanimously to authorize a one‑year pilot administration and management agreement with Rebuild Together Greater Florida to perform home‑repair projects in the East Winter Garden neighborhood.

The pilot will fund four homes in its first year, with the stated long-term goal of addressing 15 to 20 homes annually if the partnership proves effective. Staff told the CRA the program will focus on repairs tied to health and safety and building‑code violations and will limit applicants to owner‑occupied, homestead properties built in 1979 or earlier and located within the CRA boundary or the historic East Winter Garden neighborhood.

Under the approved terms, the maximum assistance for an approved homeowner is $50,000 delivered as a 0% interest, 10‑year forgivable loan. The loan will be secured by a lien that reduces by 10% each year until it is fully forgiven after 10 years; staff emphasized there are no monthly repayments. Rebuild Together will charge an administrative fee equal to 10% of the repair budget for each homeowner plus a $700 application/service fee; staff clarified those charges are included within the $50,000 cap for any single homeowner.

Program process and requirements: Staff described outreach and pre‑application work that will be coordinated with 1 Winter Garden, an East Winter Garden community advocacy group, followed by inspections, budget development and approval. Homeowners approved for the pilot must complete two classes — a financial‑literacy class and a home‑maintenance class — before work begins. A right‑of‑entry form is required to permit inspections and scope development.

Funding and partners: Rebuild Together Greater Florida is a nonprofit with a statewide presence and a long history of volunteer and corporate support; staff said its funding sources include corporate donors, foundations, municipal partners and federal programs such as CDBG and HOME in some projects. Rebuild Together CEO Jose Garcia spoke at the CRA meeting and described the nonprofit’s volunteer and sponsorship model. "We stand strong in the face of adversity. We uplift and restore our communities, and we keep families in their homes," Garcia said.

CRA advisory board and timeline: The CRA’s advisory board reviewed the proposal and unanimously recommended approval; advisory board members urged staff to return to the CRA for expanded authorization earlier than one year if the pilot completes its four homes in a shorter timeframe. The CRA approved the one‑year pilot and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement.

Public comment and questions: During the public comment period, resident Allison Painter asked about program funding sources; staff and Rebuild Together representatives answered that funding would come from corporate donations, foundations and, in some cases, federal and municipal funding streams. The CRA meeting record shows unanimous support for the pilot and a request for expedited review should the initial four homes be completed ahead of schedule.

Next steps: Staff will execute the agreement, begin community outreach with 1 Winter Garden, complete application and inspection procedures for initial applicants and return to the CRA with program performance details as the pilot proceeds.