Policy Housing Rehabilitation Program - NC Housing Finance Agency

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values, and/or home modifications designed to enable frail or disabled household members to function more independently. It is anticipated that each home rehabilitated with SFRlI funds will, with reasonable maintenance, be capable of lasting another 30 or 40 years. Of course, contractors performing work funded under SFR11 are responsible for meeting all local requirements for permits and inspections. All work done under the program must be performed to NC State Residential Building Code standards. (This does not mean, however, that the whole house must be brought up to Building Code Standards.) What about lead-based paint? Until it was discovered to be a health hazard, the metal, lead, was used for centuries to make house paints. Now we know that lead exposure is a serious problem for everyone and especially small children. Selling lead paint was outlawed in 1978, but many older buildings still contain lead paint and children are still being poisoned. Under SFRll, a lead Hazard evaluation must be performed on every home selected for rehabilitation that was built before 1978. The specific type of evaluation and the appropriate lead hazard reduction work performed will depend on the total amount of Federal funds used to rehabilitate the home, as per 24 CFR part 35. It may be necessary for the household to relocate during the construction process for protection against further lead poisoning. If relocation is required, reasonable and documented relocation expenses will be covered by SFR11 assistance. The cost of relocation will be part of the loan associated with SFR11 and the average cost cannot exceed $1,000 per assisted household. Who will do the work on the homes? Orange County is obligated under SFR11 to ensure that quality work is done at reasonable prices and that all work is contracted through fair, open and competitive process. To meet those very difficult requirements, Orange County will invite bids only from contractors who are part of an "approved contractor's registry". To be on the registry, contractors must (1) fill out an application form, listing several references and recent jobs completed, and (2) receive the "conditional approval" of Orange County. Once a contractor has been conditionally approved has successfully completed on job for Orange County, his or her status is upgraded to "regular approval", meaning that they will be allowed to bid on a regular rotation as long as they remain in good standing. (Homeowners who know of quality rehabilitation contractors that are not on Orange County's Approved Contractors Registry are welcome to invite them to apply.) From three to five approved contractors will be invited to bid on each job, and the lowest responsive and responsible bidder will be selected for the contract. "Responsive and responsible" means the contractor (1) is deemed able to complete the work in a timely fashion, and (2) that the bid is within 15% (in either direction) of Orange County's cost estimate. In the event that more than five approved contractors wish to compete, licensed contractors will take precedence. If required, lead based paint hazard reduction and/or abatement will be performed by contractors who are trained and certified to per form such work.