STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
January 13, 2026
CONSENT
5 SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF THE SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Laguna Beach Seniors to continue providing the Senior Home Repair Program for the community;
2. Appropriate $125,000 from the Housing Fund and authorize the City Manager to provide a one-time lumpsum payment for the appropriated amount to fund the professional services agreement; and
3. Find the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
Laguna Beach Seniors has requested renewal of the City’s existing senior home repair partnership through a program now titled the Lifelong Laguna Home Renewal and Repair Program. The program provides safety-related and essential home repairs to qualified low and moderate-income senior residents in order to allow them to remain safely housed in their own homes.
The program has operated in partnership with the City and Habitat for Humanity Orange County. To date, the program has completed 23 home repair projects for senior residents as outline below:
Year # of Projects Total Cost
2021 3 $14,836.14
2022 7 $26,494.01
2023 8 $35,982.39
2024 2 $1,774.88
2025 3 $12,742.38
The program has served residents who otherwise lack the financial means to address unsafe living conditions. With approximately 25% of Laguna Beach residents age 65 and older, the demand for these services continues to grow.
Laguna Beach Seniors has approximately $8,170 in remaining funds from the prior program cycle. In order to sustain and expand services, Laguna Beach Seniors has requested $125,000 in renewed funding (Attachment 1). Staff recommends that the City Council approve an appropriation from the City’s Housing Fund to support the program.
RENEWAL OF THE SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
January 13, 2026
DISCUSSION
Background
The original program was established to support older adults with limited incomes who require home repairs that affect health, safety, accessibility, and habitability. Inflationary pressures and construction cost increases have reduced the effectiveness of the original $5,000 project cap. Laguna Beach Seniors indicate that:
• Construction costs have increased approximately 25 percent since the program was established. • 45% of past projects exceeded $5,000, requiring residents to contribute out-of-pocket or defer needed repairs.
• Similar programs in Orange County offer a range of $5,000 to $25,000 per home.
To address these realities, Laguna Beach Seniors proposes the following updates, which are incorporated into the proposed Service Agreement:
• A standard project cap of $10,000 per household.
• A special provision allowing up to $20,000 for large or complex projects, such as roof replacement, with City approval.
• Updated eligibility thresholds aligned with State income limit data.
Laguna Beach Seniors will continue to act as program administrator and liaison with contractors, handling application intake, eligibility verification, project coordination, documentation, and reporting.
Program Structure
Under the proposed agreement, funds shall be used as follows:
• $112,500 shall be allocated for direct home repair assistance. • $12,500 shall be allocated for program administration, representing 10 percent of the total budget.
Funds shall be provided to Laguna Beach Seniors as a lump sum payment upon execution of the Agreement and after December 9, 2025. Laguna Beach Seniors shall be responsible for tracking and documenting all expenditures and providing reports to the City upon request.
Updated participant eligibility criteria include:
Household Type Maximum Annual Gross Income Maximum Liquid Assets Single Person $88,400 $132,000
Two Person Household $101,000 $151,500
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY GOALS
The Senior Home Repair Program aligns with the City Council’s adopted goals and the Housing Element of the General Plan, specifically Program 5.2-11, which calls for the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing stock. By providing financial assistance for critical repairs, the program directly supports efforts to promote safe, accessible, and affordable housing for older adults.
RENEWAL OF THE SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
January 13, 2026
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action includes an appropriation of $125,000 from the Housing Fund.
Fund Balance
Housing Fund $1,766,277
Housing In Lieu Fund $779,990
Combined Total $2,546,267
Funding Overlap Explanation
The City has identified the Housing Fund and the Housing In Lieu Fund as the primary sources for the local matching funds required for a $2.5 million affordable housing grant. These funds have been identified for planning purposes only and have not been committed or spent.
Using these funds as a match does not prevent the City Council from approving $125,000 for the Lifelong Laguna Home Renewal and Repair Program. However, if the Council approves that funding, the City would need to identify an alternative source of $78,000 to fully satisfy the grant matching requirement.
At the time the City submitted the grant application, staff anticipated that the Housing Fund and Housing In Lieu Fund alone might not have sufficient balances to cover the full match if the grant were awarded.
For that reason, on April 9, 2024, the City Council authorized the use of the Parking Fund as a supplemental funding source to cover any remaining portion of the required match.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), as it involves the creation of a government funding mechanism that does not commit the City to a specific project that may result in a physical change in the environment. Any future repair work funded through this program will be reviewed separately under CEQA, and projects qualifying for exemption (e.g., under Section 15301 – Existing Facilities) will be processed accordingly.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Laguna Beach Seniors Funding Request Letter (Pgs. 4-5)
2. Service Agreement (Pgs. 6-28)
Submitted By:
.
Approved: .David A Kiff
Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City Manager