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Home My WebLink About(0016) IR 21-10612 - Update on W.A.T.E.R. Emergency Repair ProgramINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10612 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 °P Page 1 of 3 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON W.A.T.E.R. EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM OVA 1ev3 In response to the February 2021 Winter storm, the City Council acknowledged the creation of the W.A.T.E.R. (Waterline Assistance Through Emergency Repair) Program and approved certain waivers to existing policies to better serve those impacted by the storm on March 2, 2021. (M&C 21-0167) The W.A.T.E.R. Program built upon the City's existing Priority Repair Program to allow for emergency plumbing repairs for eligible residents who suffered critical system failures in their homes as a result of historic severe winter weather experienced during the week of February 10-18, 2021. Repairs were limited to water lines, gas lines, and water heaters for owner -occupied households earning less than 80% area median income. W.A.T.E.R Proaram Statistics between March 2 throuah Mav 31. 2021: • 754 applications were started in Neighborly software or by paper application • 167 applications were completed and submitted by applicants • 136 residential units were eligible and received repairs • Total W.A.T.E.R Program Expenditures: $155,717.00 spent to -date and $112,800 encumbered (includes pending invoicing) for a combined program expenditure total of approximately $268,517. WATER Units by Council District DISTRICT 9 10 DISTRICT 8 39 DISTRICT 7 1 DISTRICT 6 7 DISTRICT 5 42 DISTRICT 4 5 DISTRICT 3 12 DISTRICT 2 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 City staff from all Neighborhood Services' Rehabilitation Programs were made available for regular and extended office hours to: • Assist residents who sought assistance by visiting the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods in person • Hand-deliver/collect applications from residents that could not obtain the application themselves through electronic or other means • Provide extensive customer service through online, phone, or in -person technical assistance for applicants ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10612 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 °P Page 2of3 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON W.A.T.E.R. EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM OVA 1ev3 Additionally, President Biden's notice of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-4586-DR), dated February 19, 2021, authorized Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses found necessary by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Funding was made available for the purposes of mass care and sheltering, individual assistance and direct federal assistance in the designated areas via multiple funding sources. Federal response data is still being collected for distribution, but based on information retrieved through FEMA's website (https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4586) and FEMA DR-4586-TX, the following has been reported by FEMA as of May 27, 2021: More than 300,000 referrals were submitted to FEMA's Individuals and Households Programs (IHP), with 31,911 originating from Tarrant County; 55,174 IHP applications were approved, with 17,480 originating from Tarrant County; and Approximately $168 million in funding disbursements have been administered throughout Texas, with an estimated $52 million in funding specifically directed towards Tarrant County. Changes to the City's existing Priority Repair Program, authorized through M&C 21-0167 to increase eligibility for the W.A.T.E.R Program, include: 1) Increase in contract authority; 2) Temporary changes to the City's existing Priority Repair Program Scope and Eligibility Requirements; and 3) Substantial amendments to current and prior year Action Plans to reallocate Community Development Block Grant funding. Additionally, plumbing permit fee waivers were also approved to serve the public purpose of providing as much assistance to residents impacted by the storm as possible. These changes were made for W.A.T.E.R. Program repairs only. W.A.T.E.R. Program applications substantially decreased through the months of April and May, 2021, demonstrating a diminished demand for WATER Program services. As such, all requests for repairs addressed by the W.A.T.E.R. Program are now being directed and efficiently processed through the existing Priority Repair Program. With the close of the W.A.T.E.R. Program as of June 1, 2021, the changes authorized by M&C 21-0167 will automatically revert back to the original Priority Repair Program scope and eligibility requirements as follows: Plumbing permit fee waivers no longer available; Income qualification threshold reverted from 80% to 60% area median income; and House value threshold reverted from $300,000 to $175,000. M&C 21-0167 authorized $2,015,308.26 in CDBG funds to be made available and reserved for W.A.T.E.R. Program purposes. To date the current Priority Repair Program budget was able to absorb all W.A.T.E.R. Program expenses (approximately $268,517.00) and is appropriately funded under the existing budget to continue operation throughout the remaining program year without issue. Thus all $2,015,308.26 in CDBG funding reserved for W.A.T.E.R. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10612 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 °P Page 3of3 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON W.A.T.E.R. EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM OVA 1ev3 Program purposes will be de -obligated, remain in the Grants Operating Account, and will be directed to future eligible activities in accordance with all rules and regulations governing the use of these funds. For additional information about this topic, please contact Victor Turner, Director of the Neighborhood Services Department, at 817-392-8187. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS