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Council authorizes Habitat for Humanity to administer homeowner rehabilitation grant
Summary
City contracted with Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity to act as third-party administrator for the homeowner rehabilitation (CHIP) grant; staff said Habitat’s proposal would cost about $1,200 per completed project and fit within the grant’s 18% administrative reimbursement cap.
The council on Jan. 6 authorized a contract with Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity to provide third-party grant-administration services for the city’s homeowner rehabilitation grant program.
City Manager Shane Horn told council the city had issued a request for proposals and had not received any submittals earlier; conversations with Housing North and Habitat showed both organizations could assist, and Horn recommended Habitat, citing their local experience. "Essentially boiling down, it's about $1,200 per completed project," Horn said, adding that the grant allows up to an 18% administration reimbursement and that the current caseload (15 applications) would fit under that cap.
Council members asked about scopes of work, contractor procurement and caps. Horn said the grant allows administrative reimbursement and that staff would prepare bid specifications for trades work (for example, single-roof contracts covering multiple addresses) and follow the city’s sealed-bid procurement procedures.
Motion and vote: Councilmember Walker moved to authorize the contract with Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call.
What happens next: Habitat will provide income verification and grant-administration services and will assist the city in contractor outreach and application processing. Staff estimated current caseload at 15 applications and said the city’s admin cap would cover the proposed fees.
