Green for Grandma
Incorporating Solar into your
Housing Rehabilitation Program
Presented by Jean Prasher
June 12, 2008

Livermore, California
• Suburban community with a
population of 83,000 incorporated
in 1869.
• Easternmost city in the San
Francisco Bay Area and
gateway to the Central Valley.
• Historic ranching and farming
community. Home of California’s
first wine region.

Housing Statistics for Livermore
Average cost of housing has risen 25% each year of the last 6 years.
% change % change
1990
2006 2000
2000-2006 1990-2000
Median $662,100 $314,600 53% $217,300 31%
Home Price
Median
Household $96,632 $75,332 22% $49,149 35%
Income

Housing Statistics for Livermore
more
• Just over 30,000 single family
homes throughout the City.
As a result of growth
• As a result of both Lab’s expansion,
over half of homes in Livermore
were built between 1950 and 1975.
• Due to the Dot Com boom, we have
a growing number of larger homes
with high household income.

Homeowner Rehabilitation Programs
Loan and Grant program
• Loans up to $35,000 @ 3% interest
(can be deferred)
• Grants up to $5,000
Rebate Program (thanks Long Beach)
• Rebates up to $5,000
Compulsive Collectors (Pack Rats)
• Loan up to $50,000 @ 3% interest (can be deferred)
• Includes case management component

How does Solar enhance
our Rehabilitation program?
• At a minimum, all applicants must
meet standards of rehabilitation
program.
• Set aside $25,000 per year.
• Estimate 4 solar installations per year,
• Completed 6 since 2004.
• Increases the ability of senior to
remain in their home.

Funding Sources and their Challenges
Program is a mix of three
sources
• Housing In-Lieu
• HOME
• CDBG
To date, we have not utilized
Redevelopment
• Redevelopment Area is
primarily downtown – very little
housing to date.

Challenges to Implementation
A majority of homeowners that qualify are Seniors
• Young families that are income qualified are unable to purchase
a home without assistance from family or first-time homebuyer
program.
• Fear of the unknown
“What do you want to put on my house?”
“How will this be fixed?”
“This will cost as much as my first car.”
• Income qualifications - on fixed income, but have high savings

Challenges to Implementation
more
• Many do not want to participate in the Rehabilitation program
“I do not want charity from the government.”
“Will the government take away my house?”
“This is all I have to give to my children.”
• Homeowners who qualify reside in the City’s older housing stock
– myriad of other problems that increase rehab costs.
• Finding the $$
Recouping cost of installation
Foundations want big projects with
lots of impact

What else have we turned green?
Solar/Green Projects
• Habitat for Humanity’s 22 homes
• City Hall Rehabilitation
• Arroyo Commons
•Carmen Avenue
Green Building Ordinance
•All residential and commercial
•Must meet second level of rating
system in LEED for homes

Thank You!
Contact: Jean Prasher
Human Services Program Manager
Housing and Human Services Division
Community Development Department
Phone: (925) 960-4586
Fax: (925) 960-4149
Email: japrasher@ci.livermore.ca.us