Background

The City’s Two-Year Action Plan outlines All-In Initiatives, which are identified as the top and most important priorities for the community. One of the All-In Initiatives is redevelopment, which includes residential reinvestment. On October 17, 2023, City Council approved Resolution 23-29 which adopted the latest policy for a Great Homes Update economic development program.

Year 2 applications for the Great Homes Update Program opened to Sugar Land residents on February 1, 2024. Program metrics for Year 2 of the program since July 15, 2024 are included below:

• 68 home improvement projects have been approved, encompassing approximately $1,218,914 in total project costs;
• There has been a total reimbursement commitment of approximately $195,576 out of $450,000 budgeted; and
• 22 projects have been completed to date.

On Monday, July 8th, 2024, Hurricane Beryl passed through the City of Sugar Land causing substantial damage to residences and businesses.  On July 9th, the Mayor signed an Emergency Order declaring a disaster and activating the City's Emergency Plan.  Although significant clean up efforts have occurred throughout the City, additional recovery work is still needed. On July 16, 2024, the City extended the Disaster Declaration for an unspecified time period past the initial 7 days.

Proposed Policy Amendment - Great Homes Update Program

To supplement existing recovery efforts throughout the City, Staff recommends the following policy addition to accommodate for applicants of the Great Homes Update Program who are applying with a project directly related to the declared disaster:

M.    Program Exceptions. In the event of a declared disaster, such as a hurricane, the Program Administrator and/or Director of Community Planning and Redevelopment are delegated the authority to make exceptions to the Program requirements. Such exceptions may include, but are not limited to: (1) lowering the minimum total project cost required to apply; (2) allowing landscaping projects to be standalone projects; and (3) allowing for up to a twenty-five percent (25%) reimbursement for all new, approved applicants regardless of meeting eligibility criteria for the twenty-five percent (25%) reimbursement incentive. In order for such exceptions to apply, and for the project to be considered a Qualifying Project, the project must be directly related to a declared disaster.

This proposed policy amendment is intended to ease the barriers to entry for applicants of the Great Homes Update Program and also give Program Staff the needed flexibility in the future to assist applicants with projects related to a declared disaster that may not be currently eligible under the existing Program policy.

Staff recommends approving Resolution No. 24-44: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sugar Land, Texas, Adopting a City Council Policy for a Great Homes Update Economic Development Program; and Repealing Resolution No. 23-29.