All Homes to Owners Program inquires should be directed to: Sherry Grau, 602-744-4592, s.grau@H2Oarizona.org
Press Release, 27 July 2009
Doug Lingner, Executive Director
Since the ratification of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA 2008) and the subsequent release of funds (ROF) in May 2009, the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC) was able to create a program designed to revive neighborhoods in Buckeye, Goodyear, El Mirage, and Tolleson. First, the program will identify and acquire foreclosed properties in selected neighborhoods. Once properties have been acquired within NSP guidelines, they will then be rehabilitated and resold to FHA qualified buyers. Secondly, a comprehensive outreach program will be used to identify owners that meet the income requirements. Eligible owners will receive financial counseling to pre-qualify for the program. They will also be matched to a home that they are able to purchase. Every participant will receive a two year warranty with their newly purchased home.
In 60 days, we have formed a team that will oversee acquisition, sale, rehabilitation, monitoring, and customer service for the program. The team includes: Ben Chao- Director, Connie Alvarado- Grant Compliance, Sherry Grau- Development Associate, Neal Sparks- Construction Coordinator, and John Deal- IT Specialist. The team has carefully solicited and identified key partners needed to make this program successful over its duration. As the details are being finalized over the next few weeks, each targeted city has been personally contacted with the purpose of sharing program goals, identifying specific target neighborhoods that will maximize impact, and building a resourceful communication base for HAMC to collaborate. The "Homes to Owners" image brand was created to differentiate it from other programs while actively building public response and positioning it as an important focal point for buyers.
The HAMC Board of Directors approved the team's recommended purchase and rehabilitation standards that will be used for each acquired home. Three areas of importance include: Energy, Sustainability / Conservation, and Accessibility features. Each home will be upgraded to increased efficiency standards and Energy Star home performance standards or higher, in which market and product constraints will have a considerable effect. The goal is to not only to rehabilitate homes, but to reduce the burden of high utility bills and offer a healthier living environment. See information at
http://www.maricopahousing.org/filesnsp/nsp-standards.doc
HAMC will also assist low to moderate-income program participants by providing a limited number of six month "Lease to Own" agreements if they are capable of overcoming minor financial difficulties during that timeframe.
All Homes to Owners Program inquires should be directed to:
Sherry Grau, 602-744-4592, s.grau@H2Oarizona.org