9978-09 Appropriating $2,463,435 from Community Development (Fund 212), defraying expenses of CED

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St. Joseph County Housing Consortium Homebuyer Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 15-year forgivable loan for new home construction and infrastructure improvements. The City provides. and clears the lots, prepares surveys, constructs new sidewalks and curbs and provides sewer and water connections. The program is funded with a HOME grant. It is estimated that 18 households will be assisted during the 5-year plan period. Direct Homeownership Assistance -Lease to Own Self-Sufficiency Program: The City of Mishawaka will provide eligible applicants with down payment assistance in the form of a deferred payment loan to purchase homes that have been rehabilitated by the Department of Planning and Community Development. Program participants are in the 65-80% AMI range for St. Joseph County. The applicant participates in a "lease-to-own" scenario for two years, in which payments are made to the Department. After the two year time period, the applicant will have the opportunity to apply the payments they have made to a down payment for a mortgage. The mortgage is made affordable based on the applicant's income and through the deferred payment loan. The program is funded with CDBG monies. It is estimated that 10 households will be assisted during the 5-year plan period. Indirect Homeownership Assistance - Habitat for Humanity Partnership: The City of Mishawaka has developed a partnership with Habitat far Humanity of St. Joseph County to provide indirect homeownership assistance. The City donates a cleared lot, installs infrastructure, and provides a construction subsidy to Habitat to provide more amenities in the home. Program participants are in the 30-50% AMI range for St. Joseph County. The program is funded with a HOME grant. It is estimated that 10 households will be assisted during the 5-year plan period. The Housing Needs Table indicates that a need exists for increased homeownership among racial-ethnic groups in the City of Mishawaka. To meet that need, we estimate that 10 racial-ethnic households will achieve homeownership through the First Time Homebuyer Program, Lease to Own Self-Sufficiency Program and through the City's partnership with Habitat for Humanity. This number is included in the total households mentioned above. Minor Owner-Occupied Home Rehabi/itation: To address accessibility needs and allow disabled homeowners to remain in their homes, the City of Mishawaka has formed a partnership with the Local Carpenters Union to construct wheelchair ramps. Program participants are homeowners with annual income <=80% AMI for St. Joseph County. The program is funded with CDBG monies. It is estimated that 10 households will be assisted during the 5-year plan period. Code Enforcement: To address issues of substandard housing, the City of Mishawaka will continue to fund an additional Code Enforcement officer in an older, central city neighborhood. The officer has a background in home construction, and is a licensed lead and asbestos supervisor. The added support provided by this officer helps ensure that the aging housing stock is being maintained, and that safe and decent housing is available to renters and homeowners alike. This program is funded with CDBG monies. It is estimated that a densely populated area of 3,000 residents will be served by this activity during the 5- year plan period. Acquisition of Rea/ Property: To stabilize and improve the health and safety of neighborhoods, the City will acquire substandard structures for the purpose of remediating blighting properties in its older neighborhoods. Some properties will be cleared for use in new construction activities such as the First Time Homebuyer Program or the Habitat for Humanity partnership; some properties will be cleared and left as green space to ease congestion in the densely populated older neighborhoods; and other properties will be 2010-2014 Housing and Community Development Plan 32