Things fall apart: My application for a housing stimulus package grant for my housing co-op
On April 21, 2009, the City of Berkeley is holding a hearing to request block grant proposals from people with housing problems, to be financed by President Obama's new stimulus package. I figure that my housing co-op more than qualifies for one! And, hopefully, at our annual meeting and board member election on April 18, we can get a whole new slate elected to the board of directors and then finally get our re-hab online.
Here is a draft of my presentation at the hearing:
CDBG Hearing
Request for a Grant
7:00 pm, April 21,2009
2134 MLK Jr Way
Berkeley, CA
I would like to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for Savo Island Cooperative Homes, Inc,, a HUD-sponsored project-based Section 8 housing project located in south Berkeley. This 57-family housing project, built in 1979, is currently facing major rehabilitation expenses. Funding from the City of Berkeley to help cover these costs will allow the continued presence of affordable low-income housing in Berkeley.
Here are some of the main reasons that Savo Island is seeking help at this time:
Request for a Grant
7:00 pm, April 21,2009
2134 MLK Jr Way
Berkeley, CA
I would like to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for Savo Island Cooperative Homes, Inc,, a HUD-sponsored project-based Section 8 housing project located in south Berkeley. This 57-family housing project, built in 1979, is currently facing major rehabilitation expenses. Funding from the City of Berkeley to help cover these costs will allow the continued presence of affordable low-income housing in Berkeley.
Here are some of the main reasons that Savo Island is seeking help at this time:
1. Apparently due to poor management by our board of directors in the last 15 years, we have no money to make day-to-day onsite repairs, our re-hab has been stalled for eight years, our infrastructure is hazardous, our shingles, siding, stairways, doors and roofs are falling apart and our roofs and ceilings leak.
2. Our walkways are trashy, the play area is hazardous, we can't afford to pay our gardner, weeds are growing everywhere, mailboxes are falling down and fences are degenerating.
3. Our community room is in disrepair, its tables and chairs have broken down, its floor surface is in poor condition, its roof is leaking and its paint is flaking.4. The door and window frame areas throughout the complex are rotting, our stairs and supportive beams are propped up by two-by-fours and our lath and plaster is protruding.
2. Our walkways are trashy, the play area is hazardous, we can't afford to pay our gardner, weeds are growing everywhere, mailboxes are falling down and fences are degenerating.
3. Our community room is in disrepair, its tables and chairs have broken down, its floor surface is in poor condition, its roof is leaking and its paint is flaking.4. The door and window frame areas throughout the complex are rotting, our stairs and supportive beams are propped up by two-by-fours and our lath and plaster is protruding.
4. The door and window frame areas throughout the complex are rotting, our stairs and supportive beams are propped up by two-by-fours and our lath and plaster is protruding.
5. The sprinkler system doesn't work and our roofs are being repaired with blue plastic.
