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REQUEST FOR HRA ACTION DATE: 5/17/05 ITEM NO: 7.b. Staff Approval: Agenda Section: CBAction Request for Approval of CDBG Funds to the Roseville Senior House for Item Description: Handicap Accessible Doors(HF 22) 1.0Background 1.1The HRA previously had reviewed the Roseville Senior Housing handicap accessible door request in the fall of 2004 with no action. HRA members indicated a desire for staff to review other possible funds available for the project. The HRA also expressed a need for the ownership/management to provide a match of the total cost of the project. 1.2Staff researched other possible sources of funds for this type of improvement. Most other programs for accessibility are for single family and/or duplex homes or specifically for veterans. Staff checked with Habitat for Humanity and they do not have program funds for this type of project. In conversation with Ramsey County HRA staff, the best source of funding for lower income accessibility issues in multi family housing is Community additiona Development Block Grants. The County is not interested in providing l CDBG funds to Roseville for this project but is in support of Roseville using its existing CDBG funds which were collected from a previous CDBG project many years ago. 1.3At the suggestion of the HRA, staff requested that the management provide at least 50% of the cost of the project. The management has indicated their ability to fund 50% of the cost of the accessible door system using a portion of the 2005 maintenance budget if the HRA provides the remaining 50% using its existing CDBG funds. 1.4The project includes 127 units of senior subsidized housing. The building was constructed in 1977 and is financed by HUD funds which require that rents do not exceed limits for people with income at or below 50% of median income. ($26,000 for one person). Although the building is well maintained it does not have handicap accessible entry doors. This is becoming an increasing burden on the aging residents in the building. HUD does not require that the doors be installed as a stipulation for their financing. In 2004, over 20 letters from residents of this complex were collect asking that the HRA support the request for funds. Staff also had a follow up meeting with the residents in early 2005 where their main request was once again the ability to get handicap accessible entry doors. Roseville Senior Housing Proposal - Page 1 of 2