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2 <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that AHIP sent a letter requesting additional funding. He said it <br />is staff’s recommendation that the rehabilitation program be taken in-house, and have <br />AHIP bid on rehabilitation projects. He said AHIP has an almost one to one march for <br />administrative costs. He said he feels the City can manage the housing program with a <br />new housing planner. He said he does not feel giving the administrative funds to AHIP is <br />a good use of money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked how many rehabilitations were done last year and their dollar <br />value. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that AHIP’s letter indicated that 6 to 12 are done per year, 2 to 3 <br />in the City. <br /> <br /> Ms. Teresa Tapscott of AHIP, said that AHIP completed five this year. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said this would be a philosophical shift, and rather than have the <br />private sector do it, it is recommended that it be done in house. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said he thinks the City can administer the program cheaper than <br />$150,000. He said the person would also manage other housing programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that rather than take this on, we could provide ten $35,000 grants <br />that homeowners could apply for. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said there are CDBG reporting requirements and thorough inspections <br />needed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said it would be appealing if we could build in some workforce <br />development aspect. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he likes Mr. Norris’ idea of giving a greater percentage of CDBG <br />funds to Piedmont Housing Alliance, etc. for housing and that would require less red tape <br />for how the City spends it. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked that a memo with more details be sent. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert suggested running the rehabilitation funding idea through the CDBG <br />Task Force and Housing Committee. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said we could exchange general funds for CDBG for PHA and we <br />could save the general funds for things more flexible. <br /> <br /> Ms. Amy Kilroy, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said we need <br />to keep restrictions for CDBG use in mind. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch suggested moving forward and getting a more detailed proposal. He <br />said he would like to get administrative costs down to $40,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said the cost will likely be between $60,000 and $70,000, including <br />benefits, for a full time staff person. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown noted that staff is also needed to support the Housing Task Force and <br />the other housing programs approved by Council. <br /> <br /> Councilors expressed agreement with the staff proposal. <br /> <br />Tax Deferral Program <br /> <br /> Ms. Jennifer Brown, City Treasurer, said research was done nationally regarding <br />tax deferral programs, and Richmond was the only one found in Virginia. She said the <br />big issue is what it is going to cost. Ms. Brown reviewed the basic framework of what is <br />allowed for such a program in Virginia. <br /> <br />