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City recognizes rehab program income, approves SHIP technical updates and reallocates COVID-era funds to food banks and facilities
Summary
The commission approved technical revisions to the local SHIP plan to recognize program income from a recent rehab-sale, and reallocated CDBG/CV funds to public services and facility improvements to support food banks and other pandemic-related needs.
Community Development Director Ryan Coutte presented technical revisions to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) local housing assistance plan and recognized program income from a rehabilitated property that the city rehabilitated using SHIP funds and later sold. Coutte said the city invested about $108,000 in SHIP resources to rehab the property and sold it for $350,000, generating program income that can be used for future subsidies and housing programs.
Coutte and commissioners highlighted the transaction as an example of leveraging public funds to remove blight and create affordable homeownership. "We actually invested about $108,000 in SHIP resources to rehab the property," Coutte said, noting program income will be used for additional rehab, purchase subsidies and rental assistance.
On a related agenda item, staff proposed reallocating COVID (CV) funding now being transitioned to CDBG by HUD. Because CDBG restricts public-service spending to 15% of funds, staff proposed moving some CV dollars to public services and public-facility improvements (including support for food banks such as CEC and LES and possibly COVID-related memorial/facility projects). The reallocation passed unanimously.
Commissioners also discussed youth tutoring programs supported by the Police Department; Police Chief Jeff Devlin said the program remains active but is about $6,000 short and staff are pursuing private donations to fill the gap.
Both the SHIP technical updates and the CDBG reallocation were approved by unanimous voice vote. Staff said they will continue outreach to ensure eligible residents and businesses learn about available assistance.
