The city of Napa’s housing division this month revamped the city’s Rental Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, which provides financial and technical services to landlords looking to refurbish affordable rental units in the city.
As a result, loan maximums have been increased by tens of thousands of dollars, in most cases, per unit. (The maximum loan allowed for a single-family rental unit, for example, is now $75,000, up from $45,000.)
“The rental rehab program had lower loan limits before, so if you had a rental property prior to us changing the guidelines you could only borrow a smaller amount,” said Lark Ferrell, city of Napa housing manager. “It was kind of behind what made sense.”
The city’s housing rehabilitation program provides no-interest grants and loans for home repairs. It serves low-income residents and families at or below 80% of the area median income and the landlords that rent to them. (Napa’s area median income is currently $109,200, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.)
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The purpose of the program is to improve and grow the number of affordable rental housing units in the city, according to the updated guidelines.
Ferrell said the housing division also raised rent limits for properties eligible for the program. Rents for eligible units need to fall below 30% of 80% — instead of 60% — of the AMI, adjusted for household size appropriate to unit size. That means the maximum monthly affordable rent for a studio is $1,576, for example.
“One of the things we were looking at was what amount of rent can we restrict the property to,” Ferrell said. “Increasing the maximum rent charged will assist the program. We’d like to keep it affordable. But we also acknowledge that landlords have had a tough time and an affordable rent could be below what they can afford.”
Landlords who borrow from the program are required to enter into an agreement with the city that ensures the rehabilitated units remain affordable and are leased to low-income households for either 10 or 20 years. The 10-year agreements are another change tied to the updated guidelines; landlords were previously restricted to 20-year agreements.
The updated guidelines note, however, that going with the 10-year option may trigger the requirement to pay prevailing wages under state law, which can increase project costs. (Under state law, affordable projects are only exempt from prevailing wage requirements if at least 40% of the project units are restricted for low-income people for at least 20 years, according to the guidelines.)
Along the same lines of improving affordable housing, the housing division is also now offering Tenant Accessibility ADA Grants of up to $5,000 to make rental units accessible for a person with disabilities. The grants may be used for various Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, such as widening doorways, relocating electrical switches and outlets, adding transitional floor coverings, ramps, or grab bars and modifying kitchen cabinets or washrooms.
Tenants of the units must also have a household income at or below 80% of AMI to be eligible for the ADA grants. And landlords must agree not to require tenants to remove the improvements at the end of their tenancy, according to a city press release.
Both programs are funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
From Our Readers: Dogs of Napa County 2021
Zeus

He loves lemons.
Hades

He’s super tiny but has a big heart.
Apollo

He loves to cuddle and lick your face.
Ragnar

Ragnar is a 1-year-old standard poodle who loves learning new tricks, having puppy play dates and running through his obstacle course.
Gunther

Gunther is a 3-year-old German Rottweiler who loves play dates with his girlfriends, playing with kids, and a Kong filled with doggy cookies!
Murphy Noodle

Murphy is a playful and energetic rescue baby.
Lola, Luigi, Daisy, Eevie and Lola

This Napa pack loves their couch, and they love snuggling even more.
Chula

Chula is a 12-year-old beagle mix adopted from a shelter. This Napa girl loves treats and toys; she also thinks she is still a puppy.
Athena

Athena was a rescue from Jameson Ranch. She was blind, diabetic and had hypothyroidism. Athena had been living on the streets and ended up in a shelter scheduled to be euthanized. Jameson Ranch rescued her, and I had the honor of fostering her for 3 months. This dog became my legs, as I am disabled, and I became her eyes. The last 3 months of her life I gave her nothing but love. She was my best friend. Went everywhere with me. Unfortunately, she had to be put down, but I am so grateful for the time I had with her. There is nothing better than fostering a rescue dog who has been abused, mistreated or ill. Athena still lives on in my heart, and I know she is in awe of the beauty she now sees across the rainbow bridge.
Clark

A foster failure.
Loaf

The floofiest corgi you’ve ever seen, this sweet boy is too friendly and cuddly for his own good! He’s super protective of his mommy (me) and loves nothing more than fetch and attention.
Coco

Coco is always willing to assist on the putting green.
Benji & Lola

Benji loves chasing Squirrels 🐿 and going on long walks through the vineyards hoping to see a Jackrabbit.
Lola loves the couch and treats. Loves getting attention while visiting dog friendly wineries.
You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213.