NCRA Sewer Assessment Safety Net Program

The purpose of the North Clackamas Revitalization Area (NCRA) Sewer Assessment Safety Net Program (Program) is to provide grants to low income homeowners who live within Assessment District 2009-1 for the recently completed NCRA sewer project. The objective of the Program is to reduce financial hardship to those homeowners with an inability to make a payment on their sanitary sewer assessment. Those qualifying for the Program will receive a grant paying for the principal amount of the sewer assessment levied against their property during the year in which they are approved for the program.

The amount and availability of funds for the program is subject to approval of the Agency's budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners acting as the Clackamas County Development Agency Board. The Board may elect to change the amount of funds available to the program, which would affect the number of grants awarded.

The Program does not pay for system development charges, on-site system decommissioning or repairs, other connection charges, or monthly sewer fees. Homeowners should contact Water Environment Services, 503-742-4567, for information on available assistance programs for these costs and fees.

How to apply or recertify

• Applicants who received a safety net grant for 2017-18 must submit documentation to recertify their eligibility by July 1, 2018.
• Interested homeowners who did not qualify for a grant in 2017-18, or did not previously apply, must submit an application by July 1, 2018, in order to be eligible to receive a grant for the principal installment payments for 2018-19.
• For an application or recertification form, contact David Queener at davidque@clackamas.us or 503-742-4322

Applicants will need to complete and return the application or recertification form, along with required documentation, by the specified date. The full application will require proof of income and assets such as recent tax returns, payment stubs and bank statements. The recertification form is an abbreviated version of the full application, but may require submittal of the most recent tax return and pay stubs. If the full application or recertification is approved, the applicant will be eligible for a sewer assessment grant, subject to the availability of funds on a first-come, first-served basis, which will pay the principal amount of the applicant's assessments during the calendar year.

Applicants that no longer meet income, asset or other eligibility requirements will become ineligible to receive a sewer safety net grant. Applicants may reapply in future years if they again fall within eligibility guidelines. Grant program money which becomes available due to previous applicants becoming ineligible will then become available on a first-come, first-served basis to new applicants.

Those who are interested in assistance with completing the application may visit the Development Agency from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Assistance at other times is available by appointment. Please contact Mary Anderson at 503-742-4323 for information on application assistance or to schedule an appointment.

What are the limits of the program?

Program funds are limited to those applicants who qualify on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant funds are limited and will be made to homeowners living in the NCRA who meet Program qualifications and have received notice of a sewer assessment from CCSD#1. The order by which applications will be reviewed will be determined by the date by which a completed application form, including all required documentation is received. Program funds each fiscal year are subject to budget approval and may not be sufficient to cover all eligible applicants.

Eligibility requirements

• Applicant must apply to pay, or currently be paying, the sewer assessment in installments.
• Applicant must own or be buying the residential property.
• Owner must reside on property. Rental properties are not eligible.
• The property must be subject to an assessment from CCSD#1 for Assessment District 2009-01.
• Annual household income may not exceed 200% of the most recently published poverty guidelines, based on household size, except one (1) and two (2) person households, whose income may not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level for a three (3) person household. ***Gross income does not include income used to pay for tax deductible medical expenses.

  Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2018 are:

  Total Houshold Size	Maximum Annual Gross Income (200% of the federal poverty level)
  1 person	41,560
  2 persons	41,560
  3 persons	41,560
  4 persons	50,200
  5 persons	58,840
  6 persons	67,480
  7 persons	76,120
  8 persons	84,760

• Net household assets, excluding the primary residence and its contents, and two primary vehicles, may not exceed $35,000. **Retirement account assets such as IRAs, 401Ks and pension funds do not count against the asset limit.

What happens if I can't pay the interest amount of the assessment?

Any unpaid portion of the assessment will continue to accrue interest on the unpaid balance.

Grant approval

Grant applications are subject to final approval by the Development Agency Manager.

For more information, contact Rob Hungerford, Water Environment Services, 503-742-4576 or Ken Itel, Clackamas County Development Agency, 503-742-4324.