Title
2024-25 Neighborhood Services Department Housing Rehabilitation Programs (Ordinance S-50822)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and if awarded, enter into any necessary agreements to implement the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) grant-funded Housing Rehabilitation Programs. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
NSD manages a diverse catalogue of Housing Rehabilitation Programs that enhance the quality of life of low- and moderate-income Phoenix residents by repairing single- and multi-family, owner- and tenant-occupied, properties. These programs benefit eligible households by removing health and safety hazards, promoting energy efficiency and sustainability, and supporting accessibility and aging in place. Furthermore, Housing Rehabilitation Programs protect affordability, preserve the aesthetic character of surrounding neighborhoods, and stimulate and expand residential and commercial development in communities across Phoenix. Housing rehabilitation projects are funded through a variety of federal, state and local grant funds, outlined below.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds finance housing rehabilitation contracts between low- and moderate-income property owners and contractors on the Approved Contractor List (ACL). These contracts may also be supplemented with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, utility providers, and other state and local agencies.
- HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) funding supports NSD's Lead Safe Program and its ongoing efforts to provide lead testing and lead hazard remediation services in single- and multi-family housing units built before 1978, that are occupied by low-income families with pregnant women and/or children under six years of age. The OLHCHH competitive grant applications also fund the Lead Safe Phoenix program's partnership with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and subsidizes direct contracts with environmental consulting firms.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funds provided through the Arizona Department of Housing, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Southwest Gas, the Utility Repair, Replacement and Deposit program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Wildfire support NSD's continuous commitment of providing weatherization assistance services. These services include installing attic insulation, sunscreens, duct sealing, performing room pressure relief/air balancing, and repairing or replacing heating and cooling systems in owner-occupied and rental households that meet federal poverty guidelines.
NSD will maintain an ACL to increase the number of eligible small businesses that perform housing rehabilitation activities, and maintain efficient program operations. In order to be added to the ACL as an eligible contractor and receive bid opportunities to perform construction services on housing rehabilitation projects, contractors must be screened and qualified on an individual basis and meet and maintain all eligibility requirements set forth in NSD's Housing Rehab Contractor Application Packet, located on NSD's website. The ACL will remain open to local contractors that meet the applicable criteria in the Contractor Application Packet to promote and expand small business participation in the program. Contractors on the ACL will be selected to submit bids based on their certifications, licenses, and other criteria determined by Housing Rehabilitation Programs.
NSD seeks authorization to proceed with all actions necessary or appropriate to implement and administer its grant-funded Housing Rehabilitation programs, including applying for and accepting up to $13.1 million in funding. In addition to allocating up to $5.3 million in CDBG funds, NSD expects to be awarded approximately:
- $6.5 million in WAP funds;
- $1.3 million in OLHCHH funds;
Actions include:
- If awarded, enter into any necessary contracts or agreements with the grantor(s) to fund existing and future contracts in accordance with the grant terms.
- Enter into and amend contracts with eligible property owners to perform rehabilitation services; enter into contracts with private contractors; issue Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, Calls for Interest, and Requests for Bids for Housing Rehabilitation Program services; award, negotiate, and execute contracts with the successful responders; and negotiate and/or amend existing contracts with various contractors and service providers to perform work on eligible housing and rental rehabilitation projects.
- Maintain an ACL of qualified contractors to enter into agreements with low- and moderate-income property owners funded by NSD, pursuant to the grant terms. These funds may be disbursed to the property owner or contractor.
- Take all other action necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this item and implement and administer the Housing Rehabilitation Program grants according to their terms.
Procurement Information
As needed to implement and administer NSD's Housing Rehabilitation Programs, services may be procured using procurement procedures in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10.
Financial Impact
These programs are funded with federal, state and local grants. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Public Outreach
The ACL and/or other procurement opportunities will be advertised in local print media and will also be posted on NSD's website.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Neighborhood Services Department.