Chapter 3.42
AFFORDABLE HOUSING GRANT/LOAN
Sections:
3.42.010 Established – Purpose.
3.42.040 Authority to waive or reduce permit fees.
3.42.050 Authority to waive or reduce connection charges.
3.42.010 Established – Purpose.
The city has established an option for granting or loaning funds, in accordance with RCW 35.21.685 by Resolutions 01-1997, 10-2000 and 02-2002, to assist in the development or preservation of publicly or privately owned housing for persons of low income. “Low income” under this chapter means 80 percent of the average median income of Chelan County, or other applicable standard metropolitan statistical area. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]
3.42.020 Application.
Any owner or developer of affordable housing in the city as either new development or preservation of existing development may request through the city administrator or mayor that the city provide loans or grants to finance all or a portion of the cost of construction, reconstruction, acquisition, or rehabilitation when the following conditions are met:
A. The owner or developer requesting the grant/loan shall demonstrate that the project provides for affordable housing as defined in RCW 35.21.685; and
B. The owner or developer constructing the project and requesting the grant/loan is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization; and
C. The construction of the project involves one or more of the following elements:
1. At least 500 hours of volunteer labor; or
2. At least $100,000 of federal or state grant funding; or
3. At least 25 percent in private donations for any individual housing unit or duplex, where the balance of funding is to be derived from a traditional commercial bank loan; and
D. In the construction of the project, a commitment is made where feasible, practicable and reasonable to utilize a competitive public bidding process. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]
3.42.030 City council review.
The city council may review a request for an affordable housing grant/loan during a council meeting. However, any action to approve a request shall only occur if the item has been listed as an agenda item prior to the meeting. Action may be taken in the form of a resolution. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]
3.42.040 Authority to waive or reduce permit fees.
For any development of or for any preservation of affordable housing qualifying under this chapter, notwithstanding any absence of or contrary authority under LMC Title 15 and applicable city fee resolution to waive or reduce fees chargeable to such development or preservation, authority is hereby conferred on the city council or its designee to waive or reduce such fees for such qualifying affordable housing. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]
3.42.050 Authority to waive or reduce connection charges.
For any development of or for any preservation of affordable housing qualifying under this chapter, notwithstanding any absence of or contrary authority under LMC Title 13 and applicable city fee resolution to waive or reduce such charges for connection to city water and sewer chargeable to such development or preservation, authority is hereby conferred on the city council or its designee to waive or reduce such charges for such qualifying affordable housing. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]
3.42.060 Saving provision.
Should any waiver or reduction of fees or charges under this chapter be determined unlawful, authority is hereby conferred on the city council to appropriate funds as a grant to the developer of the affordable housing project to pay the fee or charge. [Ord. 1606 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020.]