Addressing Health Issues Through Worcester Healthy Homes Funding
Worcester's Healthy Homes Funding program aims to address various health issues related to housing, such as pediatric asthma, lead poisoning, and preventable injuries. The city faces significant housing challenges, including deferred maintenance, an aging population, and the presence of lead-poisoned children. Investors are affected by costs due to housing issues, while landlords can play a role in promoting healthier living environments. The City of Worcester offers grants and loans to support healthy home initiatives like deleading, home modifications, and universal design improvements.
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Worcester Healthy Homes Funding Overview A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO HOUSING A BRIEF OVERVIEW J A M E S A B R O O K S H E A L T H Y H O M E S P R O G R A M M A N A G E R C I T Y O F W O R C E S T E R E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E O F E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T , H O U S I N G D E V E L O P M E N T
Worcester Housing Challenges $500,000,000 OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS* 47% of them built before 1920 45% OF POPULATION OVER 65 BY 2030 46% of them will have physical limitation *2012 WORCESTER HOUSING MARKET STUDY
Pediatric Asthma Rate 11.7% Worcester vs. 10.8% Massachusetts 12 Schools have 25% of kids missing more than 20 days/year due to Asthma
Worcester Housing Challenges Continued LEAD POISONED CHILDREN ONLY 5600 UNITS OF THE CITY S 32,221 UNITS ARE DELEADED 300 CHILDREN WITH ELEVATED BLOOD LEVELS PREVENTABLE INJURIES 11,469 EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS DUE TO HOME PREVENTABLE INJURIES (FALLS, BURNS, ASTHMA, ETC)
What does it mean to Investors $5,600,000 in water bill costs due to leaky pipes $11,000,000 in wasted electric costs 890 court cases per year due to housing code violations Approximately $37,000,000 in medical costs associated with housing issues Potential Legal fees? Potential Law suits? Potential Lost rent?
What Landlords can do to help 1. INSTALL BATH FANS THAT TURN ON WITH LIGHT OR ARE ON A HUMIDISTAT 2. INSTALL HARD FLOORING RATHER THAN CARPET 3. REMOVE GAS ON GAS STOVE WHEN UPGRADING HEATING 4. ENSURE HANDRAILS, STAIRS AND BALUSTERS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION 5. FIX ANY LEAKS IN UNIT INCLUDING ROOF AND PLUMBING LEAKS 6. PLUG ANY HOLES AROUND PLUMBING OR WALLS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR PEST INTRUSION
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Grants and Loans Available Community Development Block Grant ($5000/unit) Owners & Tenants must income qualify HUD Lead & Healthy Homes Grant(90% of deleading cost) Owners & Tenants must Income Qualify Home Modification Loan Program (up to $30,000) For Universal Design improvements (ramps, grab bars, etc) MassHousing Home Improvement Loan Program (up to $50,000)
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Community Development Block Grant ($10,000/unit) Owners & Tenants must income qualify Competitive Application Only includes core systems Must show financial hardship 5 year rental restriction
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Lead & Healthy Homes Grant City of Worcester received a $3,700,000 HUD Grant for Lead Paint Remediation & Healthy Homes issues 218 Units of Housing to Complete $10,000/unit for Lead Paint Remediation $5,000/unit for Healthy Homes Issues $800/unit Relocation stipend Cover 90% of cost of Deleading
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Investor Owned Building Owner s application must be filled out Current on Mortgage, taxes and water/sewer Tenants application must be filled out completely Must include 4 most recent paystubs and last year s tax return for each occupant over 18 ears old Self Employed must include 2 years tax returns Alternative Income (SSI, Disability, etc)- Letter from agency with amounts
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Tips for Success Cover Page Original applications no digital submissions Observe privacy requirements No incomplete submissions Must be submitted within 48 hours of receipt One unit at a time is okay
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Collaborating with Tenants Demonstrate the benefits $800 relocation package Additional incentives All tenant information is private Tenants can utilize office hours for help with paperwork Translation services Opportunity to address other outstanding issues Remind tenants of the cap on monthly rental Open communication
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Application Timeline Completed application sent to the Healthy Homes Program City Healthy Homes staff reviews application- 1 week Program Eligibility Letter sent to owner/ agent Lead Inspection and Healthy Homes Inspectors inspect property- 1-2 weeks Contractors bid on project-2 weeks Grant documents signed by owner- 3 weeks Project start- 2-3 months from application submittal
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program MassHousing Get the Lead Out Loans City of Worcester serves as a Local Rehabilitation Agent for Mass Housing's Get the Lead Out Loan Program Available to investor-owners who rent to income- eligible tenants All loans are 5%, fully amortizing Loan terms are from 5 to 15 years, based on the loan amount and borrower qualifications
City of Worcester Healthy Homes Program Contact Information James Brooks Healthy Homes Program Manager Executive Office of Economic Development, Housing Development 455 Main St 4thFloor (City Hall) Worcester, MA 01608 508.799.1400 x229 brooksj@worcesterma.gov Inspection Services 24 Hour Hotline 508-929-1300
