STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR CLINCH-POWELL’S RURAL HOUSING PRESERVATION

PROJECT: HOMEOWNER HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

I. Clinch-Powell’s Rural Housing Preservation Project is a homeowner assistance program that includes home repairs and rehabilitation of unsafe or unsanitary conditions including repairing roofing, heat/air systems, water and waste disposal, windows, insulation, exterior doors, porches and stoops (if unsafe), making a home handicap accessible and alleviating overcrowding at an average cost of $10,000.00 per project.

II. Each application will progress through a detailed and documented screening process. The selection of program participants that receive HPG assistance will be initiated by the submission date of full application and target service to distressed communities. Each application in ordinal sequence will be reviewed and prioritized based on completeness, eligibility, the severity of need, income-based qualifying factors, and location. Clinch- Powell will then work closely with approved applicants and local contractors to determine housing preservation needs and to perform the necessary work at market prices. Only appropriately licensed and insured contractors will be used depending on the work to be done. Monitoring is conducted throughout all phases of the repair process by experienced Clinch-Powell construction staff and inspection is performed by a third party. Home repairs involving subcontractors have a one-year warranty on the work.

III. Clinch-Powell will adopt RD 1944-N, Exhibit F-1 as the process for identifying and rehabilitating properties that are listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; identifying properties that are located in a floodplain or wetland; and identifying properties requiring potential environmental impacts. Clinch-Powell has established mechanisms, as feasible, for coordination with other public and private organizations and programs that provide assistance in the rehabilitation and preservation of historic properties and has experience collaborating with the state historic preservation officer in the rehabilitation of two properties on the National Registry.

IV. Clinch-Powell will adhere to the Rural Development standards for existing dwellings and applicable local codes.

V. The program will be completed within twelve months of the time it begins.

VI. Existing, experienced staff including, but not limited to, intake specialists, home repair/construction staff, and finance will collaborate with homeowners to procure contractors to do the home repair work and complete the program in an efficient and effective manner.

VII. The estimated number of very low – low-income households that the program will assist is 7.

VIII. The geographical areas to be served by this program include the RD eligible rural areas of Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Jefferson, and Union counties. All counties are in East Tennessee. Cocke and Hancock counties are classified as persistent poverty, distressed counties.

IX. The estimated federal budget is $94,027. HPG funds will be drawn in lump sum for each completed/closed preservation application/project.

X. The indirect cost rate is 15%.

XI. The accounting system to track expenditures of this program is accurate and in accordance with GAAP standards. Clinch-Powell uses Quickbooks Pro Plus 2022 which is an accrual-based accounting system.

XII. Clinch-Powell utilizes internal evaluation and project tracking methods to record beneficiary demographics and to monitor project work progress and accrued expenditures to maintain program effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with program guidelines. Financial status and progress reports will be submitted quarterly.

XIII. Clinch-Powell expects to apply for other home repair funding if available but is not expecting or projecting those funds as leverage. We also expect to use volunteer work groups from time to time on projects that do not require a contractor.

XIV. In general, this is not an income-producing program. Clinch-Powell will charge an application and processing fee of $15.00 to home repair applicants who are not very low income. This would only be applicable to applicants in the 60-80% AMI range. This fee is our standard to determine credit and run-down documents to complete applications before they can be considered HPG viable. Repair costs will be forgivable if the homeowner lives in the house for 3 years and is secured by a Deed of Trust.

XV. Clinch-Powell will plan for disposition of any security instruments held by us as a result of its HPG activities in the event of our loss of legal status. Distribution of assets in case of dissolution is according to IRS rules and outlined in the organization charter and articles of incorporation.

XVI. Clinch-Powell received multiple letters of support from local, state, and federal political leaders and will foster support to ensure the HPG program is implemented effectively and equitably across the region.

XVII. Clinch-Powell posted public notices on both their website and in the local regional newspaper. Region-wide outreach to promote the program will be provided to ensure all communities in the service area are aware of the HPG program funding and provided with the ability to apply for services. Direct marketing will be focused on the leadership in the persistent poverty counties with an emphasis on the collaboration with established community organizations throughout the region including Long Term Recovery Groups, Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority, Appalachian Ministries, Empower Cocke County, Of One Accord, Jubilee Project, Hamblen County NAACP Chapter, Black in Appalachia and the Morristown Taskforce on Diversity. These collaborations will provide opportunities for targeted marketing and outreach to historically low-income and underserved communities within Clinch-Powell’s service area. The application form will be provided and will include the statement, “This is an equal opportunity program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.” Clinch-Powell and recipients will meet the Fair Housing requirements and comply with Title VI of the Civil rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12250, and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.