Housing
NOTE: Draft Strategic Plan (5-Year Consolidated Plan) and Draft Annual Action Plan (AAP) are now available for public review and comment. Click here to see the documents.
A public hearing will be held at City Hall on July 14, 2010 in the City Commission Chambers. If you have any comments on either the Strategic Plan or the AAP, they may be made at the hearing or submitted in writing to Economic and Community Development, Attention: Gwen Lightfoot, 300 South Adams Street, Box B-27, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1731.
Select a topic to get more information. In order to apply for one of the listed programs, call Economic & Community Development at 891-6500. Or pick up an application at the office located in the Frenchtown Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb Street, Tallahassee, Florida.
- Economic Stimulus for Housing (NEW)
- Annual Action Plan (PDF)
- Code Enforcement Rehabilitation Program
- Disaster Relief and Preparedness
- Emergency Home Repair Program
- Homeownership Opportunities
- Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
- Local Housing Assistance Plan
- Neighborhood Stabilization Program
- Purchase Assistance for City of Tallahassee Employees
- Purchase Assistance Program
- Rental Rehabilitation Program
- Sewer Expansion Program
- State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
Economic Stimulus for Housing
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act referred to as the federal "Recovery bill" or "economic stimulus bill" was passed by Congress in February 2009. The City of Tallahassee is slated to receive funds in several housing assistance programs. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City to hold public meetings and plan and budget for each program allocation."
- Homeless Prevention and Re-Housing Program (HPRP) and CDBG-R program overview (PDF)
- Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) Substantial Amendment (PDF)
- Community Development Block Grant - Recovery Program Substantial Amendment (PDF)
- Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 Overview (PDF)
- Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 Application (PDF)
Code Enforcement Rehabilitation Program
The program assists low-income owners of homes that are owner-occupied to eliminate exterior code violations, and to improve and preserve neighborhoods at the same time. Click here for more detail.
Disaster Relief and Preparedness
Assistance is available for homeowners in the City of Tallahassee who have experienced an emergency due to a natural disaster. Assistance is also available for homeowners to prevent disasters by removing potentially hazardous situations.
The American Red Cross Capital Area Chapter administers the program to assist homeowners whose homes have been damaged by a natural disaster, or whose homes are vulnerable to damage by a natural disaster. Funds are used to assist with the installation or construction of mitigation measures that make homes more disaster-resistant. Such measures may include, but are not limited to trimming and removing trees that create hazards during high wind events.
For more information about this program, please contact the American Red Cross at 878-6080.
Emergency Home Repair Program
The goal of the Emergency Home Repair Program (EHRP) is to improve the living conditions of low-income homeowners by removing health and safety hazards and/or architectural barriers from their homes.
Homeownership Opportunities
Each year new units are built for very-low income and low-income households in the City of Tallahassee to purchase. The City works with non-profit organizations called Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to build the new units. More new units may be available through Inclusionary Housing.
Community Housing Development Organizations
Community Housing Development Organizations are non-profit agencies that are qualified to develop affordable housing for the community they serve. Federal money is set-aside for CHDOs each fiscal year. In Tallahassee, the organizations that currently build new housing units as CHDOs include: Bethel Community Development Corporation, Frenchtown Community Development Corporation, and Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium.
Habitat for Humanity also builds new housing units for purchase, and is currently applying to qualify as a CHDO. To purchase a housing unit built by a CHDO, a household must meet all program requirements. There is an income limit and households must qualify for a home mortgage. The best way to get information about the new units being constructed is to contact the City's Housing Division at 891-6500.
Inclusionary Housing
The Tallahassee City Commission passed an ordinance in 2005, requiring new developments in certain areas of the city with 50 housing units or more, to sell 10% of their units at an affordable price. The sales price range is set by the ordinance. Developers are allowed to pay a fee instead of building the units. The money collected will then be used to build future affordable housing units.
To qualify for inclusionary housing units, your income must fall between 70% and 100% of area median income. This range is determined by the HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) income guidelines for 2008:
- 1 person household: annual income between $30,450 and $43,500
- 2 person household: annual income between $34,790 and $49,700
- 3 person household: annual income between $39,130 and $55,900
- 4 person household: annual income between $43,470 and $62,100
- 5 person household: annual income between $46,970 and $67,100
- 6 person household: annual income between $50,400 and $72,000
- 7 person household: annual income between $53,900 and $77,000
- 8 person household: annual income between $57,400 and $82,000
Households must qualify for a home mortgage loan. A household that makes less annual income than the range above may still qualify for an inclusionary housing unit if they can secure a sufficient home mortgage loan. Inclusionary housing units are subject to re-sale restrictions. For details about the inclusionary housing program or ordinance, please see the Planning Department web page. You may also call the Housing Division at 891-6540 for information or to request an application by mail.
Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
Committed to improving the quality of affordable housing, the City of Tallahassee allocates a substantial portion of its housing budget each year toward improving the stock of owner occupied housing. Click here for more detail.
Local Housing Assistance Plan
The Local Housing Assistance Plan provides a summary of the housing strategies the City will fund with State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) money for state fiscal years 2010-2011 through 2012-2013. SHIP funds are used for home purchase, home preservation, disaster assistance, and new construction for ownership and rental.
Tallahassee residents may comment on the 2010-2013 LHAP through April 14, 2010 by emailing Ellen Meyi.
Click here to view the LHAP through fiscal year 2012-2013.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) is a federal program passed in July 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. Funds are used to purchase vacant, bank-owned foreclosed properties and rehabilitate them to return to productive use for affordable rental and homeownership housing. The majority of Tallahassee's funds must be used to acquire and rehabilitate housing units for rental to very low income households.
Click here to view the program overview and a map of the target area.
Purchase Assistance Program
To assist low-income residents in purchasing a home, the City offers down payment and closing cost assistance to qualified applicants. In FY 2009-2010, this program is funded by federal HOME funds.
A loan of up to $8,000 is available for down payment or closing costs towards a new or existing home. For very low-income residents who qualify to purchase a home, an additional $5,000 loan is available.
The Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium (TLC) is a non-profit agency that administers the Purchase Assistance Program. In addition to the Purchase Assistance Program, TLC provides homebuyer education, credit and finance counseling, and assistance in selecting a mortgage lender. It is TLC's mission to provide affordable home ownership options, and serve as a resource to help citizens make the best possible decisions about finding, financing, and purchasing a home.
Eligibility
To qualify for assistance in the Purchase Assistance Program, you must be a candidate to be approved for a home mortgage. Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium can assist you to improve your credit and manage your finances. To be eligible to receive the purchase assistance loan, your TOTAL GROSS household income (before taxes) must not exceed the following amounts, adjusted for household size:
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Guidelines (as of May 14, 2010)
(Family Size - Max Gross Income for those at or below 80% of area median income)
- 1 Person - $35,700
- 2 Persons - $40,800
- 3 Persons - $45,900
- 4 Persons - $50,950
- 5 Persons - $55,050
- 6 Persons - $59,150
- 7 Persons - $63,200
- 8 Persons - $67,300
For more information please contact Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium at 222-6609.
Purchase Assistance for City of Tallahassee Employees
The City has additional assistance available for employees who are purchasing homes in one of the City's target areas. Target areas include Apalachee Ridge, Providence, Bond, and Greater Frenchtown (Frenchtown, Griffin Heights and Springfield) neighborhoods. Employees can receive a loan of up to $5,000 if their GROSS household incomes do not exceed the following amounts, adjusted for household size:
(Family Size - Max Gross Income)
- 1 Person - $53,400
- 2 Persons - $61,080
- 3 Persons - $68,640
- 4 Persons - $76,320
- 5 Persons - $82,440
- 6 Persons - $88,560
- 7 Persons - $94,680
- 8 Persons - $100,800
For more information or to obtain an application, please call the Housing Division at 891-6500.
Rental Rehabilitation Program
Assistance to existing residential rental property owners is provided through the City's Rental Rehabilitation program.
Program Features:
- Properties:
- Residential rental units up to 4 units per building
- Buildings may be located anywhere in the City
- No targeted neighborhoods
- Funding:
- City will loan up to 80% of the cost of rehabilitation
- Funds are limited to no more than $20,000 per unit
- Loan Terms:
- Terms and conditions will be based on need, feasibility and availability of funds
- Loans can be from 0-3% deferred interest and possibly deferred payment based on cash flow
- Amortization schedule will be consistent with affordability period
- Proforma must demonstrate at least 1.1:1 debt service ratio
- City funds and private or bank funds will be released on prorata basis
- No funds released without prior ECD inspection and draw approval
- Affordability:
- Units must be rented to those at or below 80% area median income
- Affordability period (minimum of 5 years) will be based on amount of City loan
- Underwriting:
- Detailed scope of work and preliminary estimates must be submitted prior to underwriting
- All rehabilitation work must meet the City's written rehabilitation standards and be in compliance with the Florida Building Code for Existing Buildings
- Scope of Work must match permits pulled
HOW TO APPLY:
For more information or to initiate the application process, please call Gwen Lightfoot at 891-6558 or click here to obtain the application.
Sewer Expansion Program
The Sewer Expansion Program is designed to assist homeowners to reduce health and environmental hazards by discontinuing the use of septic tanks to connect to the City's sewer system.
Under the law, if a septic tank located within city limits malfunctions and sewer service is available, the homeowner must connect to the city's sewer system. This unforeseen expense can cost more than $5,000 in plumbing and connection fees. Low to moderate-income homeowners within the city limits may qualify to connect to city sewer and water service for no charge.
To qualify, residents must own and occupy a home within the Tallahassee city limits. Mobile homes and rental properties are not eligible.
HOW TO APPLY:
For more information or to initiate the application process, please call Robin Slade at 891-6528 or click here to obtain the application (PDF).
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program aids government in providing affordable housing.
Click here to view the Annual Report for Fiscal Years 2005-2006, 2006-2007 & 2007-2008.