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8. Action Items: <br />a. Consider Modifications to and Funding for the HRA Ownership Loan Program. <br /> <br />Ms. Bennett explained that this action is a follow-up to the discussion about the HRA Ownership Loan <br />Program at the March 20, 2007 Roseville Housing and Redevelopment Authority (RHRA) meeting. At <br />that meeting the RHRA directed staff to gather further information and bring a recommendation to the <br />Board regarding a change to the applicant criteria. <br /> <br />Ms. Bennett summarized the current financial status of the loan fund, noting that the RHRA has financed <br />121 loans in the amount of approximately $1.2 million w ith $73,604.00 currently available in the fund to <br />finance additional loans. Ms. Bennett also indicat ed that the loan fund is low and will need to be <br />replenished so the program can conti nue to provide loan assistance. <br /> <br />Ms. Bennett noted that, unlike the RHRA’s Family A ffordable Loan Program, the HRA Ownership Loan <br />Program is not restricted to households with childre n under 16, households at median income levels or <br />homes of a specified assessed valuation. Over th e life of the program, the average income of loan <br />recipients is $69,000.00 (median income) however, 17% of loan recipients have had household income <br />more than $94,200 (120% of median income for a fa mily of four). Ms Bennett recommended an income <br />restriction on this program of 120% of median income. Ms. Bennett didn’t recommend adding an <br />assessed valuation limitation to this loan program as it can be too restrictive a nd older households may <br />have a higher assessed valuation but still limited income. <br /> <br />Ms. Bennett noted that there is an increase in usage in the program largely due to the increase in the loan <br />amount from $10,000.00 to $20,000.00. Ms. Bennett r ecommended adding $60,000.00 of $100,000.00 <br />available in the 2007 RHRA budget, noting that the progr am hasn’t had an addition of funds since 2002. <br /> <br />Member Masche inquired if the program requires borrowers to match funds (no). Member Kelsey asked <br />about $100,000.00 available in the 2007 RHRA budget and indicated her understanding that it was <br />earmarked to assist the Inspection Department for proper ties that were in violation. Ms. Bennett replied <br />that the fund was dual-purpose: to put back into loan pool and/or to provide for code-related issues such <br />as abatements, therefore she recommended leavi ng some funding in place for those instances. <br /> <br />Member Kelsey inquired as to the average cost for ab atement. Ms. Bennett indicated that cost has been <br />$15,000.00 on average according to past discu ssions with the Inspection Department. <br /> <br />Member Pust asked for clarification of the criteri a for the Family Affordable Loan Program which <br />includes an assessed value limitation, income limitati on of 120% of median income and households with <br />a child 16 years of age or younger. Member Pust inquired if there is a conflict of interest provision in the <br />loan programs (no). Member Kelsey commented that as interest rates have gone up and this program is <br />becoming better utilized, perhaps the RHRA should al so consider an assessed value limitation. <br /> <br />Member Pust inquired as to the number of loan app lications this year (approximately 20). Member <br />Kelsey commented that the RHRA loan programs c ould be more aggressively marketed to Roseville <br />residents. Chair Majerus agreed. Member Pust agre ed with an income limitation for this program and <br />indicated that she would also support an assessed valu e limitation. Member Kelsey suggested an assessed <br />value limitation of 125% of median value similar to the Housing Redesign Program. Chair Majerus <br />suggested tabling the motion to better evaluate the suggested criteria modifications to the loan program <br />and directed Ms. Bennett to bring the item forw ard for action at next month’s meeting. <br /> <br />Member Elkins suggested using the state finance ag ency’s number for acquisition costs ($298,300 for the <br />metropolitan area) as a guide for determining an assessed value limitation for this loan program. Member <br />Pust wondered why this loan program was not design ed for first-time homebuyers thereby attracting new <br />residents to the community. Member Kelsey indicat ed that this loan program was designed to assist <br />existing residents who would like to make improvement s to their homes and that the Family Affordable <br />Loan Program met the goal of attracting young families to the community.