Home Maintenance: Helping to Preserve Housing Stock Henrico County Home Maintenance Workshops 2016 Virginia Governor s Housing Conference Geleene Goffena, AICP County of Henrico Dept. of Community Revitalization November 17, 2016
The need: Aging housing stock Waiting list for home repair programs Unable to treat emergencies Revitalization efforts
The solution: Free workshops teaching homeowners basic skills that require little investment in tools or education Identify critical home maintenance items Identify problems before they become serious General home and yard upkeep
Benefits Save homeowners money Prevent small problems from becoming big problems Maintain or improve exterior of homes in order to stabilize neighborhoods
Weatherization & Seasonal Maintenance Gutters Inspecting roofs Weatherization of doors and windows Small Home Repairs Toilet repairs Sink leaks HVAC maintenance
Home Improvements Sheetrock repair Grout removal Flooring repair How to hire a contractor Landscaping & Curb Appeal Lawn care and pruning Landscape design CPTED
Partnered with local Habitat for Humanity affiliate RMHFH coordinated presenters and exhibitors Purchased refreshments and door prizes Placed paid advertisements Provided staff and volunteers
County contribution Secured County facility at a discounted cost Produced logo and design of marketing materials Printed marketing materials Distributed materials to County facilities and other community locations Provided staff
Workshop format Saturday mornings One location for all events Doors opened at 8:30; program began at 9; 20 min break mid-morning; end by 12:15 Visit exhibitors before program and during break
Presenters Local contractors Representatives of State and County agencies DPOR Virginia Cooperative Extension Henrico Police Henrico Community Maintenance
Exhibitors HOME Inc (fair housing agency) Henrico Fire Henrico Police Henrico Community Revitalization Senior Connections (local area agency on aging) Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Virginia DPOR AARP Small and large home improvement companies Other agencies related to the topic
Advertising Posters, flyers, and handouts distributed to County libraries, recreation facilities, and government centers Handed out to citizens through direct contact Press releases Local newspaper article County social media and TV channel
CDBG Eligibility Public service low/mod area benefit Workshop site was immediately adjacent to low/mod areas Participants were asked to provide their addresses so that we could determine residence in a low/mod block group
Budget $10,000 of CDBG $500 (discounted rate) for use of school Remainder to RMHFH for purchasing refreshments, door prizes, supplies, printing handouts, advertising, coordinating event, etc. $500 of CDBG (general admin budget) for printing
Feedback Attendees were asked to rate the speaker, time, location, and topic as well as provide other feedback Feedback was overwhelmingly positive Some changes were made to 2016-17 program based on comments received
Year 2 Changes $15,000 budget to allow for speaker fees, equipment costs, additional advertising No longer partnering with nonprofit Some new content added to sessions including aging in place, appliance care, and painting Events held at 2 locations fall workshops in central Henrico, spring in eastern Mailed postcards directly to about 4000 homeowners in 2 designated revitalization areas and one low/mod block group
Home Maintenance: Helping to Preserve Housing Stock Contact Information: Geleene Goffena, AICP, CDBG Program Manager 804-501-7613; gof@henrico.us henrico.us/revit