[Ord. No. 892 §1, 9-17-2001]
The purpose of the rehabilitation program is to correct code violations, overcrowded or unsanitary conditions to improve the housing and living environment for persons of low to moderate income levels living in the City of Caruthersville, Missouri. All procedures or program replacements shall comply with this Chapter and with implementing loan guidelines which are on file in the City offices.
[Ord. No. 892 §2, 9-17-2001]
A. 
The program is devised to conserve the City's present housing stock.
B. 
Low to moderate income families, as hereinafter defined in Section 540.040, will receive rehabilitation work.
C. 
A quarterly review of the program shall be conducted to determine if charges or refinements are needed.
D. 
City Codes will be followed in all work performed and in the installation of all materials.
E. 
All work will be done by qualified and licensed contractors.
F. 
Loans are limited to one (1) per property.
G. 
The program will encompass the target area as outlined in the Community Development Application, as noted herein in Section 540.040(E).
H. 
The Housing and Advisory Board shall be responsible for the making of all decisions as to the method used in rehabilitating the property with the right of appeal by the owner to the Governing Body of the City.
I. 
Competitive bids shall be let on each project and the lowest responsible selected, subject to the approval of the Housing and Advisory Board (and the Governing Body of the City). Minority contractors may receive negotiated bids, if approved by the Housing and Advisory Board (and the Governing Body of the City). If less than three (3) bids are received, an estimate from the rehabilitation inspector will be used as a bid. Any bid within ten percent (10%) of this estimate may then be accepted. The City reserves the right to throw out the low bid if at least four (4) bids are received.
J. 
Inspections of the work shall be made to insure that it fulfills the term of the loan and contract agreement before payment is submitted.
K. 
City Council members, Housing and Advisory Board members, City employees and City Officers shall not be eligible for loan assistance, contract or subcontract for any work, or have any personal interest, direct or indirect, in any contract under this project unless approved by Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Housing Board.
[Ord. No. 892 §3, 9-17-2001]
A. 
This is a voluntary program. All interested persons must make application before any action can be taken.
B. 
Applicants who qualify will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. An emergency situation will receive priority. All decisions pertaining to emergencies will be made by the Housing and Advisory Board, which decisions must be approved by the Governing Body of the City before becoming effective.
C. 
A complete house inspection will be made by the Program Housing Inspector. A deficiency list will be prepared and submitted to the property owner. A work write-up will be prepared, as well as a cost estimate. All decisions concerning repairs to be made to the structure will be made by the Housing and Advisory Board with the right of appeal by the owner to the Governing Body of the City.
D. 
All items on the work write-up, as well as other pertinent information, will be discussed with the owner, Housing and Advisory Board and contractor before a contract is signed, and any allowable revisions may be made at that time.
[Ord. No. 892 §4, 9-17-2001]
A. 
Income limits for applicants are those approved by HUD for the State of Missouri's Community Development Block Grant Program for the year of the date each application is submitted to the City.
B. 
Property will be eligible only if the owner signs an agreement to repay the full loan amount if the property rehabilitated is sold within five (5) years of the contract completion or, if rental property, the rent received by the owner is increased in violation of the rent-freeze agreement executed for this property.
C. 
An owner-applicant must not have net assets in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), excluding equity in property.
D. 
The owner must have a recorded deed of ownership. A Contract for Deed properly executed shall constitute ownership, only if it contains provisions indicated in the guidelines on file in the City offices. The buyer and the seller will be required to make joint application and jointly execute the contract for rehabilitation work. The same applies to renter-application, both renter and owner shall be required to jointly apply and execute the contract.
E. 
Only properties within the target area will be eligible for loan assistance, except in circumstances which involve disability needs or emergency assistance as set out in the City's grant application and the State's CDBG Program limitations.
[Ord. No. 892 §5, 9-17-2001]
The amount of any approved forgivable loan will not exceed the total cost of the rehabilitation, not to exceed the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for substantial reconstruction.