To: Dr. Beverly Brown, Community & Economic Development Committee Chairperson
From: Derek Bradshaw, Director
title
RE: Approval of the proposed Genesee County Housing Initiative, in the amount of $12.8 million, to provide for new housing development financing and a county-wide roof replacement program
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Requesting approval to implement a $12.8 million housing initiative for Genesee County. The initiative will be called “Genesee County: Our Housing Future” and will provide for new housing development financing and a county-wide roof replacement program. The approval of the initiative will also require additional action including acceptance of a $1.77 million grant agreement, for Commissioner Avery’s signature, from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority for a County-wide roof revitalization program; approval of a budget adjustment for the $1.77 million award; approval to expedite specific County approval processes related to roofing contract awards; and requesting an allocation of $74,000 to cover indirect costs not eligible under the grant funds.
BACKGROUND:
Safe, decent affordable housing is an issue in communities across the nation. In Genesee County, data shows a need for 7,000 quality affordable units. Over the last several months, staff has been developing an initiative to address affordable housing needs in the County. Through these efforts the “Our Housing Future” initiative has been developed with two major funding areas: the Housing Impact Fund and the Roof Revitalization Fund. Housing Impact Fund: Genesee County receives HOME funding each year from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out affordable housing development activities. The total HOME funds available from current and future allocations is $5 million. Genesee County Treasurer, Deb Cherry, is a partner on the project and has committed to provide $5 million to assist in financing affordable housing units county-wide. The total in the Housing Impact fund will be $10 million. Roof Revitalization Fund: GCMPC applied for funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to carry out a county-wide roof revitalization program for eligible homeowners, in partnership with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity. Funding in the amount of $1.77 million was awarded for this effort. These funds will be matched with $550,000 from each partner, for a total of $2.87 million.
DISCUSSION:
Under the Roof Revitalization Fund, it is important that funding be awarded timely due to strict grant deadlines, therefore staff is requesting to expedite the following procedural items: Projects will be bid through the County Purchasing process. GCMPC is requesting authorization to bid 5 project addresses under one bid invitation. In addition, staff is requesting to waive the cost threshold requirement for approvals and ask for contract approvals through the Document Review process only. Requesting approval for GCMPC Director, Derek Bradshaw, to sign all mortgage documents required for the Roof Revitalization projects.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
No impact on Human Resources.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Housing development activities will be funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Genesee County Treasurer funds. Requesting an allocation of $74,000 from General Fund for costs not allowed under the other funding sources.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
No impact on facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
No impact on technology.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
To meet Genesee County’s priority of healthy, livable, and safe communities, the funding and program activities will provide for improvements to the sustainability and livability of housing units throughout the County, provide for community growth, and offer inclusive housing opportunities.
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Planning Commission Director to authorize implementing a $12.8 million housing initiative for Genesee County called “Genesee County: Our Housing Future,” which will provide for new housing development financing and a county-wide roof replacement program; accepting a $1.77 million grant agreement from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority; approving a budget adjustment for the $1.77 million award; approving to expedite specific county approval processes related to roofing contract awards including bidding five project addresses under one bid invitation; waiving the cost threshold requirement for approvals; using the Document Review process for contract approvals; and approving Planning Commission Director, Derek Bradshaw, to sign all mortgage documents required for the Roof Revitalization projects; and requesting an allocation of $74,000 from General Fund to cover indirect costs not eligible under the grant funds, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the October 2, 2024 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of this Board), the Chairperson of the Board is authorized to execute the grant agreement on behalf of Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.