Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 2
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): Commission Districts 2 and 6
Appropriation of $15,000 from District 2 ARP Funding to the Decatur MLK Service Project for Home Repairs to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 for Vulnerable Seniors and Veterans.
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Michelle Long Spears
Phone Number: 404-371-2863
PURPOSE:
To approve a District 2 ARP appropriation of $15,000.00 with a joint District 6 ARP appropriation of $15,000 (totaling $30,000) to support the Decatur MLK Project for both the 2024 project year and “off-cycle" repairs throughout the year to include:
• General repairs to 20-25 homes including unsafe or failing interior/exterior repair due to age, moisture, or other issues
• Installing wheelchair ramps for seniors unable to use stairs
• Repairing and replacing leaking roofs that present a health and safety hazard
• Weatherizing 1-2 homes annually to reduce energy costs and increase health and comfort of the occupants
• Conducting yard clean ups and drainage projects to mitigate water infiltration in homes
The DeKalb County ARP Workgroup has pre-approved this proposal and confirmed that home repairs and weatherization are eligible uses for impacted households, which includes households that faced negative economic impacts due to COVID. Because the homes aren’t in a QCT, documentation will be provided in reporting to show that beneficiaries were impacted households. The funds will supplement an estimated $30,000 annual budget which the project raises. Funding comes from individual donations, business sponsorships, and proceeds from Restaurants for Repairs event.
NEED/IMPACT:
In 2003, the DPA Board identified a need to alleviate economic pressures on the elderly, thereby enabling at-risk seniors to remain in their homes safely and comfortably, improving their quality of life. To achieve these goals, the MLK, Jr. Service Project began, providing house maintenance and repair, free of charge, to Decatur senior citizen homeowners during the MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. Decatur’s MLK, Jr. Service Project honors the legacy of Dr. King, who worked tirelessly toward a dream of equality, freedom, and justice. Transforming these principles into community action, Decatur’s MLK, Jr. Service Project brings people of all ages and backgrounds together, working toward that goal of “Beloved Community.” This joint District 2 and District 6 ARP appropriation will supplement the annual budget to help support The Decatur MLK Service Project that helps low-income veterans and seniors in the City of Decatur,
providing urgent major home and yard repair and enabling these long-time residents to remain in their homes,
prevent them from becoming homeless, allowing them to age in place, along with counterbalancing the impacts of
gentrification.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An amount not to exceed $15,000.00 from the District 2 ARP POETA Account 105744.63258.521209.01.02.602479
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Approve the District 2 ARP appropriation and the attached scope of work which will be used by Law for any required agreements. This referenced appropriation and project has previously been vetted and pre-approved as an eligible ARP appropriation.