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Lenexa staff report exterior‑grant and property‑tax rebate pilot results; programs to continue
Summary
Staff reported the exterior grant program issued approximately $244,000 in grants over four years (63 grants) and leveraged nearly $700,000 private investment; a new property tax rebate pilot (budget $100,000) gave 33 eligible households an average rebate of $683 and staff proposed modest refinements.
City staff presented results and proposed next steps for two neighborhood programs: the Exterior Grant program and a property tax rebate pilot.
Scott McCullough said the Exterior Grant program (FY24 budget $90,000) provides 50% matching grants up to $5,000 for exterior, public‑facing home improvements on older houses (built in or before 1977 and appraised below a program cap). Over the past four years staff reported issuing about $244,000 in grants that leveraged nearly $700,000 in owner investment and provided 63 grants to 55 owners and eight rental properties. Staff recommended no major changes for next year and said the program helps preserve older housing stock and neighborhood character.
Staff also reviewed the first year of the property tax rebate pilot. The pilot had $100,000 allocated, required applicants to meet four eligibility criteria (including age 65+ or disabled veteran status and HUD very‑low income limits), and capped qualified homes by appraised value. There were 33 eligible applicants; staff said the average rebate was $683 and total rebates paid were about $22,500. Staff proposed modest changes for next year (raising the home appraised‑value cap to $400,000 and considering raising the income threshold). A pro rata mechanism is in policy to keep total payouts within budget if applicant demand grows.
Council members praised the programs and asked clarifying questions about eligibility and outreach; staff said they used the city's regular channels and TownTalk to advertise the pilot and plan continued outreach next year.
Next steps: staff will return with program adjustments as appropriate, continue outreach, and implement the property tax rebate pilot's next cycle.
