Community Development Block Grant - Recovery
The City of Bellingham received a
$227,522.00.00 supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-R) from
HUD, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The purpose of
these funds are to stimulate the economy through measures to modernize the
Nation's infrastructure, to improve energy efficiency, and to expand
education opportunities and access to health care.
The CDBG-R fund will be will have different tracking and reporting
requirements; therefore it will be kept separate from the current
rehabilitation funding program.
Total CDBG-R Funding: $227,522.00
CDBG-R Rehabilitation
Project Funding: $154,078.00
CDBG-R Rehab Activity Delivery
Funding: 50,692.00
CDBG-R Administration
Funding (10%): $22,752.00
Other ARRA Funds: None
This grant will provide supplemental funding to the City's current
Home Rehabilitation Program and
will be used in conjunction with the Opportunity Council's weatherization
program. The average cost of rehabilitation over and above the
weatherization has been estimated at approximately $20,000.00 per unit;
however through this partnership, the City and the Opportunity Council will
be able to assist about 8-9 homes throughout Whatcom County in receiving
energy efficient upgrades and other home rehabilitation that meets code or
local housing standards.
The use of the CBDG-R funds will address the ARRA Recovery Act by:
- Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery.
- Approximately one full-time job, associated with the delivery of
the rehabilitation and weatherization program; and 8-10 part-time
construction jobs, associated with the physical rehabilitation or
weatherization of housing, will be created or retained.
- Assisting those most impacted by the recession.
- Through rehabilitation to homes occupied by low and moderate
households, the provision of weatherization and energy efficiency
upgrades has a direct benefit by reducing shelter and living
expenses.
- Providing the investment needed to increase economic efficiency.
- Local governmental agencies and businesses are striving to
conserve energy resources for future economic development of the
area. The investment to upgrade weatherization in homes will help to
achieve this goal by enhancing local energy efficiency and utilizing
sustainable green energy resources.
- Investing in transportation, environmental protection, or other
infrastructures that will provide long-term economic benefits.
- Through weatherization, the reduction in energy demand and
shelter costs will allow for additional educational opportunities,
enhanced healthcare, capital purchases (auto, furniture, etc.) and
the increased quality of life.
- Fostering energy independence.
- The investment of CDBG-R funds to upgrade weatherization and
energy efficiency of homes occupied by low and moderate-income
household, which are often the least likely to be weatherized, will
reduce the local demand for energy.
