Plano Council May Consider Changes to Major Upgrade Rebate Program in July

The Plano City Council may soon consider changes to the city’s major upgrade rebate program, which was last updated in 2017.

Plano staff are refining the program — which provides city funds to qualified Plano homeowners for eligible home improvement projects — and updating its mission as part of the changes, said Neighborhood Services Director Curtis Howard.

Two Minute Impact

Howard said the most recent updates will focus on providing grants for exterior improvement projects, such as window, door and roof repairs. Interior renovations focused on improving accessibility, such as wider hallways for wheelchair access, would also be eligible under the proposed changes.

“We’re looking to incentivize homeowners to repair and make sure their home looks good, especially on the exterior,” Howard said. “That’s an important factor here as our housing stock continues to age.”

Under the proposed new guidelines, the maximum rebate offered to homeowners would be $5,000 with a minimum project cost of $20,000. Eligible homes must be owner-occupied, at least 30 years old and worth no more than $478,975.

A little context

Howard had previously presented the program changes at a preliminary public meeting on May 13.

The program was originally created in 2014, Howard said, and the last update was about seven years ago. Since its inception, property owners have invested $36.2 million and the city has repaid $6.1 million.

And after?

Howard said he hopes to present the program changes to council in July.