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It is anticipated that each home rehabilitated with SFRLPI4 funds will, with reasonable <br /> maintenance,be capable of lasting another 30 or 40 years. <br /> Of course, contractors performing work funded under SFRLP 14 are responsible for <br /> meeting all local requirements for permits and inspections. All work done under the <br /> program must be performed to NC State Residential Building Code standards. (This does <br /> not mean, however, that the whole house must be brought up to Building Code <br /> Standards.) <br /> What about lead-based paint? Until it was discovered to be a health hazard, the metal, <br /> lead, was used for centuries to make house paints. Now we know that lead exposure is a <br /> serious problem for everyone and especially small children. Selling lead paint was <br /> outlawed in 1978, but many older buildings still contain lead paint and children are still <br /> being poisoned. <br /> Under SFRLP 14, a lead hazard evaluation must be performed on every home selected for <br /> rehabilitation that was built before 1978. The specific type of evaluation and the <br /> appropriate lead hazard reduction work performed will depend on the total amount of <br /> Federal funds used to rehabilitate the home, as per 24 CFR part 35. <br /> It may be necessary for the household to temporarily relocate during the construction <br /> process for protection against further lead poisoning. If temporary relocation is required, <br /> reasonable and documented temporary relocation expenses will be covered by SFRLPI4 <br /> assistance. The cost of temporary relocation will be part of the loan associated with <br /> SFRLPI4 and the average cost cannot exceed$1,000 per assisted household. <br /> Who will do the work on the homes? Orange County is obligated under SFRLPI4 to <br /> ensure that quality work is done at reasonable prices and that all work is contracted <br /> through fair, open and competitive process. To meet those very difficult requirements, <br /> Orange County will invite bids only from contractors who are part of an "approved <br /> contractor's registry". <br /> To be on the registry, contractors must (1) fill out an application form, listing several <br /> references and recent jobs completed, and (2) receive the "conditional approval" of <br /> Orange County. Once a contractor has been conditionally approved has successfully <br /> completed on job for Orange County, his or her status is upgraded to "regular approval", <br /> meaning that they will be allowed to bid on a regular rotation as long as they remain in <br /> good standing. (Homeowners who know of quality rehabilitation contractors that are not <br /> on Orange County's Approved Contractors Registry are welcome to invite them to <br /> apply.) <br /> From three to five approved contractors will be invited to bid on each job, and the lowest <br /> responsive and responsible bidder will be selected for the contract. "Responsive and <br /> responsible" means the contractor (1) is deemed able to complete the work in a timely <br /> fashion, and (2) that the bid is within 15% (in either direction) of Orange County's cost <br /> I <br /> 5 <br />