December 20, 2005
SUBJECT: Increase Grant Limit from $5,000 to $6,500 for the Home Access Program for Installation of New Hydraulic Lifts
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Home Access Program provides grants to low-income disabled residents for retrofit of interiors for enhanced accessibility and for the removal of architectural barriers. The current guidelines which were established by the City Council in 2000, allow a maximum grant of $5,000.
Since 2000 construction costs of both material and labor have increased. Presently, a number of home access applications have been received requiring the installation of new hydraulic lifts which now cost up to $6,500 per installation. Staff recommends increasing the current grant limit from $5,000 to $6,500 to accommodate the cost increase. This will allow the program to meet current costs of new hydraulic lifts and continue to maintain existing services by addressing the needs of low-income disabled residents.
BACKGROUND
The Home Access Grant Program has been in effect since 1980 and serves approximately 20 residents per year. The Homes Access Grant is a non-repayable grant which provides up to $5,000 to retrofit units by eliminating physical barriers which inhibit the use of the dwellings occupied by low-income disabled persons. Typical projects funded through the Home Access Grant Program range from bathroom modifications which include: grab bars, bath benches, and hand-held shower heads; to modular ramps, door widening and the installation of hydraulic lifts. Average costs range from $2,950 to install recycled lifts to $6,500 for new lift installations. When the City’s inventory of available lifts are all in use, new lifts are purchased to accommodate applicant requests.
The City has an inventory of 106 lifts in use in Sunnyvale. Most of the lifts are installed at mobile homes to provide low-income disabled residents (many of whom are seniors) access to their homes. The demand for lifts has steadily grown over the past few years with an unusually high number of requests this year. Out of the six Home Access Grant applications received thus far this year, five have included installation of lifts. Historically, approximately 30% of Home Access requests have included lift installations.
In June 2005, the City’s service provider for specialized Home Access services terminated its service agreement with the City. A cost analysis of various home access service providers, of which there are very few within the immediate area, has been completed. Access Options, a licensed mobile home installer, submitted a proposal to provide services. The City has entered into a service agreement with Access Options to provide services for the Home Access Program.
EXISTING POLICY
Housing and Community Revitalization Sub-Element (2000):
POLICY G.4 Assist people with disabilities to remain in their homes by retrofitting residences for greater accessibility.
G.4.a Use CDBG funds to provide grants or loans for retrofitting homes through the Home Access Program
DISCUSSION
Since 2000 construction costs, including labor and materials have gradually increased without impacting the Home Access Program. Costs were maintained for the past five years. However, given the current costs for services, the Home Access Grant limit is not sufficient to achieve program objectives or address the needs of the disabled. An increase in the grant limit to $6,500 will allow the City to continue to provide installation of new lifts when necessary.
The City maintains its inventory of City-owned lifts. The lifts are serviced regularly and repaired on an as needed basis. Lifts that are no longer needed by homeowners are removed, stored on City property and recycled for re-use.
In order to achieve program objectives, the City has entered into a service agreement with Access Options as its service provider under the Home Access Program. A summary of itemized costs provided by Access Options is attached as Attachment A.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Home Access Grant is fully funded by Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG). This modification will not impact Outside Group Funding activities.
Conclusion
The need for accessible housing continues to increase. The number of individuals who need home modifications will continue to grow as the population ages and as more people are able to live longer with disabling conditions. Many will be seeking to modify their homes in ways that offer convenience, safety, ease-of-use, and continued independence. The program provides disabled residents the ability to live and age in place. The proposed cost increase for the Home Access Grant Program will allow the City to continue to assist low-income Sunnyvale residents with disabilities to live independently by remaining in their homes and neighborhoods, rather than move to an institutionalized setting.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through the posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Increase the maximum Home Access Grant limit from $5,000 to $6,500.
2. Take no action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative 1- Increase the maximum Home Access Grant limit from $5,000 to $6,500.
Increasing the current grant limit from $5,000 to $6,500 to accommodate increased costs for installation of new hydraulic lifts, as they are needed, will insure that residents are provided needed services and will prevent displacement of residents due to lack of accessibility.
Limiting the grant to $5,000 would eliminate the purchase and installation of any additional new lifts. As lifts become available from the existing inventory, they would be recycled for re-use. Staff would then maintain a waiting list to accommodate residents, however delays would likely result. Some occupants would then be displaced from their homes due to inaccessibility.
Reviewed by:
Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer
Prepared by: Katrina L. Ardina, Housing Programs Analyst
Reviewed by:
Robert Paternoster, Director, Community Development
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. Access Options Price List (.pdf)