20240327-005_JIC FY24-25 GO Repair Budget Recommendation Signed — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARDCOMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: (20240327-005): Support for GO Repair Program WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; and WHEREAS, those aged 65 years and older, represent the fastest-growing age group in Austin, expanding from 55,695 (7.0% of 2010 population) to 91,733 (9.5% of 2020 population), and growing at a rate of 64.7%; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Austin Community Feedback Survey indicates that 74% of older city residents surveyed want to age in-place for as long as possible and respondents cited needing increased assistance for home repairs and maintenance in order to stay in their homes; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has funded the GO Repair program with General Obligation bonds that helps low-income homeowners fix serious structural issues like accessibility accommodations, electrical and mechanical repairs, drywall, flooring, siding repairs and more, allowing homeowners to safely stay in their homes with the repair assistance channeled through area nonprofits; and WHEREAS, the current year’s funding of $5 million will assist over 200 households and will run out before the year is over because of strong demand for the program (current wait list top 250). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to allocate continued General Obligation bond funding and explore all available additional funding avenues to fund the GO Repair program at a more adequate level that will allow the program to continue uninterrupted for all of FY25 ($10-15 million). Date of Approval: March 27, 2024 Record of the vote: 9-0, Commissioners Vargas and Gordon absent (ECC) Attest: _____________________________________________ Vice-Chair