The Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to establish the Revive and Restore residential repair program for the West City Community Redevelopment Area, authorizing staff to implement applications and begin assistance in early 2026.

Jamie D. Perkins, community services director for the City of St. Augustine, presented the action item and recommended the board adopt a program based on the city’s Lincolnville Fix It Up model. Perkins said the West City program would use the same eligibility rules but start with a maximum grant award of $25,000 due to the West City CRA’s smaller tax-increment fund balance. "We would be able to help five participants" at a $25,000 cap based on current allocation, Perkins said, while noting applicants requiring smaller amounts would allow the program to assist more households.

Commissioner Cynthia Garris moved to adopt the Revive and Restore Residential Repair Program; the motion received a second and passed on a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded the following votes: Cynthia Garris — Yes; Barbara Blonder — Yes; John De Prater — Yes; Jim Springfield — Yes; Nancy Seitz Klein — Yes. The motion carried.

Key program provisions presented by staff include homeowner-occupancy eligibility, an initial 10-year lien for the $25,000 award tier, and allowance for applicants to sign an affidavit proving displacement with intent to return (similar to the Lincolnville program). Perkins said staff would prepare the application materials and hoped to begin offering assistance as early as January 2026.

Commissioners expressed support for adopting an existing model rather than creating a new program and noted the policy is intended to stabilize neighborhoods and help older homeowners avoid high-cost lending. The board did not change program criteria at the hearing; any future adjustments to maximum award levels or lien terms would require a return to the board for approval.

Action summary: motion to adopt the Revive and Restore Residential Repair Program — approved by roll-call vote; implementation steps to follow in staff work plan.