SAC MIN 1991-06-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"Home Equity Conversion Program" which allows seniors to convert the accumulated equity in their homes to usable cash. Ms. Gaither said that HIP offers a counseling program to seniors on ways to use their equity without selling their homes. She stated that last month she made 69 calls on seniors and counseled 30 people. Also available to seniors are reverse mortages, property tax deferral and home repair loan program. The Home Repair Loan Program is sponsored by the Redwood City Housing Department and offers low payments with interest rates from 0-6%. ITEM 2 - Human Services Financial Assistance Report-Corinne Centeno Corinne Centeno reported that the Housing and Human Concerns Committee will meet this evening at 5:00pm at the Main Library to review grant requests from non-profit agencies and come up with recommendations for the Budget Review Session on June 22. The following three senior agencies have applied for grants from the Committee: Legal Aid Society $2,500 Retired Senior Volunteers (RSVP) $4,000 TEWCI $40,000 Ms. Centeno said that a total of seventeen agencies are applying for grants including CID $10,000 and Kainos $6,000. She explained that the applications are reviewed by the Committee and must meet certain criteria. The agency must be a non-profit entity that is either located in Redwood City or provides services county-wide; the services cannot be duplicated somewhere else; 85% of the grant monies must go directly for services; the grant cannot be more than 20% of the budget. Ms. Centeno explained that the five different categories for funding are: youth services, senior, disabled, emergency assistance and housing. She explained that because the City recently passed a child care policy, funds have been allocated for a half-time position for a contract child care consultant to help facilitate the policy. In addition, the Police Department and Youth & Family Assistance Program have recommended hiring a social worker to work at the Police Department with the juvenile officer. ITEM 3 - Transportation Commissioner Anthony said that TRIPS will meet this afternoon and he will be attending the meeting. He mentioned that actual paratransit users have been spokespersons for TRIPS at the SamTrans Board meetings. Commissioner Anthony said that although SamTrans has purchased ten new buses, they will be used to replace some older buses. He also said that SamTrans has indicated interest in a taxi program for the mobility impaired and will try to incorporate this program into their system next year. Commissioner Anthony will be working with Nancy McGinnis, Director of San Mateo Senior Center, on making a presentation. ITEM 4 - Council Workshop Proposal Commissioner Anthony said that this is not really a workshop but a discussion about all the concerns the seniors have regarding rising costs of sales taxes, utilities, food, bridge tolls, and other matters. Commissioner Anthony is proposing to have the Senior Affairs Commission go on record with the City Council that they consider seniors and realize