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and questioned whether Habitat was working with Alameda County. She also asked about the <br />possibility of the city's doing a similar program and piggy backing with the County's program. <br />She was advised that Renew AC is not a Habitat program but Habitat is working with the <br />County. Mr. Hernandez commented on aspects of the staff report, discussed delays in <br />completing housing projects, and the fact that some homeowners are over -income. <br />Commissioner Duggan commented on the current program problems and asset limitations and <br />questioned whether the recommendation being made was to switch from Habitat to Renew AC. <br />Mr. Dolan advised that there were some aspects of the Renew AC program that could be helpful <br />to the City of Pleasanton if they were to switch to something similar or consider piggy backing <br />onto the Renew AC program. Commissioner Duggan questioned whether Habitat would be <br />able to make the switch and Ms. Gray advised that Habitat is the administrator of a number of <br />programs and have been considering how changing to the program would work for the City of <br />Pleasanton. She advised that use of the City of Pleasanton funds would need be prioritized <br />before moving to the Alameda County funding. <br />Commissioner Duggan asked Ms. Gray for details on why the 7 loans had been denied by <br />Habitat and wondered if something could be changed for these. Ms. Gray indicated it could be <br />beneficial to try and connect with the individuals that were denied and refer them to a Case <br />Management individual for assistance. <br />Commissioner Gaidos questioned staff on whether the City of Pleasanton has an issue with <br />senior citizens being without housing population. Mr. Hernandez advised that Habitat <br />processes the applications and provides information about assistance. Mr. Dolan indicated that <br />he didn't believe it was an issue with a big number of seniors, but it is enough that City Council <br />is willing to spend funds on it. Commissioner Gaidos stated that he would support moving to the <br />Renew AC aspect with $150,000 in assets. <br />Commissioner Welsh felt much of the problem in projects not getting done is that the projects <br />are too small for many contractors. Ms. Hernandez provided information about the contractor <br />amount being increased from $5,000 to $10,000, and Ms. Gray also advised that since taking <br />over the program Habitat now has a group of contractors that have agreed to work with them. <br />She also informed Commissioner Welsh that typical projects include repair/replacement of <br />windows, siding, ramps, etc. <br />Commissioner Welsh questioned whether some of the $150,000 allocation was for projects and <br />loans and how that worked. Staff provided information and Mr. Hernandez noted that very few <br />people are repaying loans. Commissioner Welsh felt changing the limits to be more applicable <br />to the Pleasanton market area made sense. <br />Commissioner Kiziloglu indicated that she liked the city's program but has an issue with funds <br />coming from the Lower Income Housing Fund that she felt should be used for low-income <br />housing. She stated that there would never be funds to build low-income housing and wanted <br />staff to rethink this. <br />Chairperson Soby felt assets should be refigured and likes the $150,000 amount being <br />recommended. He also felt the rental idea was in need of more consideration. Mr. Hernandez <br />advised that it would be given as a grant as is being done by the City of Fremont. Mr. Dolan felt <br />most dramatic would be going to deferred loans but that it also appears to be the most effective. <br />Commissioner Duggan asked about the grant amount per loan from the City, and Mr. <br />Hernandez advised it can be up to $10,000 and loans with amounts up to $35,000. <br />Page - 4 - <br />