High-Cost Counties Get Housing Help

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As skyrocketing housing prices push the dream of homeownership further from the reach of first-time home buyers, the California Housing Finance Agency has expanded a pilot program to help residents in targeted high-cost counties.
High-Cost Counties Get Housing Help

RISMEDIA, June 25 — As skyrocketing housing prices push the dream of homeownership further from the reach of first-time home buyers, the California Housing Finance Agency has expanded a pilot program to help residents in targeted high-cost counties.

Launched in September of 2001 for eligible first-time home buyers in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the High Cost Area Program (HiCAP), will now be available to eligible home buyers in Alameda, Contra Costa and Sonoma Counties starting July 1.

“Response has been very positive,” says Homeownership Chief Jerry Smart. “It’s just nine months since the pilot program began and about 80 Bay Area families are already in the CHFA pipeline.”

CHFA Executive Director Theresa Parker says program expansion in more counties is good news.

“With more than $122 million of CHFA first loans and $9.5 million in down payment assistance second loans for the HiCAP pilot, we estimate another 300 families may become home owners,? she says. ?Clearly, there is ongoing need for resources that assist potential home buyers and we are continuing to modify or develop new programs towards this end.”

The HiCAP consists of a below-market interest rate CHFA first loan and a $25,000 down payment assistance second loan. The second is a 30-year, 3% simple interest rate, deferred payment loan. Borrowers must be first-time home buyers who do not exceed CHFA income limits. Sales price limits also apply depending on the area and whether the property is new construction or an existing home.

The moderate income limit for a family of three or more in Sonoma is $72,910 and $85,675 in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Loan amounts depend on interest rates, the home buyer’s ability to qualify and cash or other assistance available for down payment.

Established in 1975 as the state’s affordable housing bank, CHFA’s mission is to finance below market rate loans to create safe, decent and affordable housing for first-time home buyers.

Since its inception, CHFA has issued over $19 billion in bonds, financed affordable homeownership opportunities for over 114,000 families and created or preserved 30,600 multi family rental units in California.

In addition, the agency, through its insurance branch CaHLIF, has provided $1.5 billion in mortgage insurance to more than 14,000 higher risk first-time home borrowers.

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