Friday, October 10, 2008

Jumpstart Suggestions for people not on the buyout list

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony, Jerry" <jerry-anthony@uiowa.edu>
To: PTV Neighborhood and Steve Long, Jeff Davidson and Michael Lombardo
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 4:48 PM
Subject: Jumpstart and CDBG
Dear All: Three things that folks not on the HGMP list (i.e., buyout list) should pursue in discussions with state and city officials.

1. Ask for Interim Mortgage Assistance. Right now it is available only to those on the buyout list, but many people off the list are still living elsewhere and making rent payments -- rent payments that are fast depleting their FEMA grants. At the Monday meeting, Councilor Amy Correia had felt that this must be done.

2. Ask for higher amounts for Housing Repair or Rehab Assistance.Right now its set at $50,000 (+ $10,000 for energy efficiency upgrades).Construction costs are much higher in Iowa City than in the rest of the state. And as per Iowa City's assessment of damage reports in PVT,$50,000 is towards the lower end of repair estimates.

3. Ask for income guidelines to be used in applications for all funds--- i.e., people with lower wage incomes be given a greater share of the funds.

Hang in there folks. --- Jerry Anthony

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