LOAN PLAN APPROVED FOR FIX-UPS; AGOURA HILLS PROGRAM TARGETS OLDER HOUSING.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Low- and middle-income homeowners in Agoura Hills may qualify for loans of up to $10,000 to fix up their houses and beautify their properties.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to allocate $173,911 from this year's Community Development Block Grant funds to establish the first rehabilitation program for single-family homes in Agoura Hills, targeting some of the city's older neighborhoods.

``The city's housing stock is getting older. This seems like a good time to start a program rather than waiting until a large number of homes are in need of repair,'' said Councilman Ed Corridori.

The city's CDBG funding this year totaled $202,887. Since 1984, the city has received more than $1 million in federal funds as part of the Community Development Block Grant program, a nationwide program intended to help residents of low and moderate incomes and to eliminate slums and blight in cities across the country.

With a relatively low percentage of its residents - about 12.5 percent - falling into the category of low or moderate income, the city has allocated much of its funds to city public improvement projects, including those to make the city more accessible to the handicapped in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Approaching the completion of projects to improve and beautify public facilities, the city now is turning to programs to benefit individuals. Under the program, low- and moderate-income homeowners will qualify to receive loans for roof, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural repairs as well as water and energy conservation projects, room additions to address overcrowding and the installation of security devices, said Mike Kamino, senior planner with the city.

``This will be the first time the city offers a rehabilitation program for residents,'' he said, adding that a number of the city's retired residents living on fixed incomes could qualify.

The income limitations are adjusted based on household size and the county's median family income. For instance, a five-person household with an income under $44,300 would be eligible as would a two-person household earning $32,850.

The council showed interest in setting up a rehabilitation program last year and commissioned a $13,000 study by Willdan Associates to prepare a needs assessment report specifically for the 1998-99 CDBG funds. The study focused on residents of two of the city's older neighborhoods - the Lake Lindero area and the area west of Agoura High School - and found that at least 10 percent of homeowners in those areas could qualify for funds.

``Besides the benefit of helping individuals who might not otherwise be able to repair their homes, this kind of program will also help the property values for an entire neighborhood go up,'' said Corridori.

Of the remaining CDBG funds, the council allocated $18,976 to help cover the cost of the city's $50,000 senior citizen recreation program, offering classes, wellness programs, social services as well as special events. An additional $10,000 was reserved to pay for administration and monitoring costs for the program.

The council may vote next month to allocate additional CDBG funds to a project to provide landscaping improvements to the Reyes Adobe historic structure. The city is awaiting a decision from the local Community Development Commission, which oversees the allocation of CDBG funds, ruling on the eligibility of the project.

The Reyes Adobe was rehabilitated in 1991 using CDBG funds, but has since been vacant with no funds to landscape the facility or start up public recreation or educational programs.

The city expects the commission to rule on the issue this week and could opt to fund the program this year in addition to the housing and senior programs by borrowing against future CDBG funding or by reducing funding to the other two programs.