LAKEPORT >> Requests for proposals (RFP) for housing grant consulting services will be submitted after the Lakeport City Council approved a request from the community development department.
“The city … has had a housing specialist on staff, but she has retired,” Lakeport Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said. “The city no longer has staffing available to run these programs.
Currently the city is administering approximately $700,000 in HOME grants, of which $195,000 is used for the First time Homebuyer’s Program and a little more than $487,000 is used for Owner Occupied Rehabilitation.
Once the RFP has gone out and a consultant has been chosen, the council either approve or deny entering a contract with the consultant.
The consultant would be paid from the grant funds for general administration and activity delivery, Ingram said.
Services to be provided will include grant administration; advising of additional funding sources; updating or revising program guidelines and monitoring; loan application processing and underwriting and portfolio management regarding the city’s participation in state housing programs such as the HOME Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
According to the RFP, “the scope of work may include ongoing services … for administration of the HOME, CDBG, and other housing programs on an as-needed basis.”
The consultant will also complete, or advise how to complete a CDBG general allocation application for housing rehabilitation, public works, other eligible activity. A planning and technical assistance allocation application will also be completed by the chosen firm
No members of the public offered comment and the council unanimously approved the request with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
