Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Agreement between the City of Ann Arbor as Grantor and Avalon Housing as Grantee for $100,000.00 to Improve Energy Efficiency at Stimson Apartments ($100,000.00)
Memorandum
In early 2024, the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations ("OSI") supported Avalon Housing in submitting a grant application to the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority ("MSHDA") MI Neighborhood Program to improve the accessibility and energy efficiency at Stimson Apartments ("Stimson"). Stimson is comprised of 23 rental units spread across six buildings. There are 18 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom garden apartments in the complex. Currently, all units at Stimson are occupied by households below 60% Area Media Income ("AMI").
Per its grant application, Avalon Housing will "be making improvements that will have a big impact on the accessibility and energy efficiency of our 23-unit property, Stimson Apartments. We will install energy-efficient electric heat pumps for heating/cooling all units, which will lead to lower utility bills and increased resident comfort. The units currently have gas forced-air furnaces for heating and window AC units for cooling... We will also perform accessibility improvements, such as widening interior doorways and installing ramps, handrails, and/or zero-step entries to some units. With this funding, we will also be able to take care of some needed maintenance by installing new roofs throughout the property."
A match was required for Avalon Housing to be eligible to apply for the MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program. Because of its commitment to sustainability improvements, OSI offered to provide $100,000.00 in matching funds, largely to support the transition to heat pumps and other embedded energy efficiency improvements as outlined in Avalon Housing's grant application.
In total, Avalon Housing applied for and was awarded $590,000.00 from the MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program, contingent upon receivin...
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