Welcome to Community Services
Homeowner Assistance Program

Homeowner Assistance Program
The Homeowner Assistance Program is designed for Port St. Lucie homeowners who need funds for approved repair/rehabilitation/ reconstruction, hazard mitigation, special needs/retrofit and/or water/sewer assessment payment.

1.  How do I qualify for assistance?
Households must meet income guidelines (see #2)
Property must be:

2.  What are the income limits?
Households must be classified as extremely-low, very-low, low or moderate income to be eligible for most programs.  Assistance for payment of water/sewer assessments is limited to very-low and low-income.  Income includes gross wages, income from assets, retirement, social security, disability, unemployment and any other resources or benefits received by household members age 18 and older.  The following current income limits (adjusted for family size) are in effect:

2008 Income Limits by Family Size*
Family Size	Extremely-Low (ELI)	Very Low	Low	Mod “100”	Mod “120”
1	$12,550	$20,950	$33,500	$41,900	$50,280
2	$14,350	$23,900	$38,300	$47,800	$57,360
3	$16,150	$26,900	$43,050	$53,800	$64,560
4	$17,950	$29,900	$47,850	$59,800	$71,760
5	$19,400	$32,300	$51,700	$64,600	$77,520
6	$20,800	$34,700	$64,600	$69,400	$83,280
7	$22,250	$37,100	$69,400	$74,200	$89,040
8	$23,700	$39,450	$83,280	$78,900	$94,680

* Assistance for Water/Sewer Assessment is limited to ELI, Very-Low and Low-Income households.

Click below for more information on:
1) Income Inclusions/Exclusions and
2) Asset Inclusions/Exclusions.

3.  Is there a limit on cash I may have saved?
Generally, cash available should not exceed $15,000. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.  See Item No. 10 for asset limitations for the Water/Sewer Assessment Program. 

4.  How much assistance is available?
Repair/rehabilitation/reconstruction maximums are based on income categories as follows:

Income	Repairs/Rehab	Reconstruction
ELI and Very-low	$50,000	$70,000
Low	$40,000	$60,000
Moderate	$30,000	$50,000

See Item No. 7 regarding maximum limits for Hazard Mitigation and/or Special Needs/Accessibility as separate strategies.

5.  Do I pay back the money I receive?
Assistance for repair/ rehabilitation/reconstruction, hazard mitigation and/or special needs/retrofit is in the form of a deferred payment loan (DPL).  You will sign a Note and Mortgage for the maximum amount of assistance available according to your income category.  When all repairs are completed, you will sign a corrective Note for the actual amount spent.  The Mortgage will be recorded as a lien against your property until the Note is satisfied.  There is no interest, and no payments are made unless there is a default or the home is sold.

Terms of repayment will differ by income level as follows:

For  Extremely-low, Very-low, Low and Moderate Income (up to 100% of median) the DPL will be forgiven at the rate of 10% per year up to the maximum percentages shown below. The remaining balance will be due on sale or forgiven in its entirety after 30 years, whichever comes first:

Income	Forgiveness %	Due on Sale %
Extremely-low (ELI)	100%	0%
Very-low	70%	30%
Low	60%	40%
Mod thru 100% AMI	50%	50%
Mod over 100% to 120%	Due on Sale – See below

For moderate income over 100% up to 120% of AMI, the DPL will be due on sale or forgiven after 30 years, whichever comes first.

6.  Can I repair/rehab my mobile home?
Mobile homes do not qualify for assistance under this program.

7.  What types of home repair/rehab will qualify?
The program provides funds to assist in eliminating housing related code violations, correcting safety and sanitary issues, and adding needed living space (on a case-by-case basis).  Illegal structures and non-permitted electrical repairs, etc. will need to be removed, returned to the original use, or brought up to code if the work is eligible and there is sufficient funding; otherwise the matter will be referred to the building department for appropriate action.  Pools and/or hot tubs are not eligible for repair.   The program may provide funding for demolition and reconstruction if a home is beyond financial feasibility to repair.  Energy efficient items may be recommended in connection with needed repairs.  Extremely-low and Very-low income households may be eligible for energy efficient replacement of items not in need of repair if there is sufficient funding.  A home inspection is performed and the inspector and housing coordinator will provide you with a list of approved repairs.

Clients may qualify for hazard mitigation or special needs/retrofit activities under this strategy if there is sufficient funding.  If there is insufficient funding for those clients, or if the household does not require or qualify for repair funding, the Hazard Mitigation or Special Needs/Retrofit strategies may assist those clients.  Maximum amount for the separate programs is $15,000.

8.  What items are covered under “Hazard Mitigation” and "Special Needs/Retrofit?”
Hazard Mitigation improvements are intended to protect against storm damage in the future and include items such as Hurricane Shutters, Water/Sewer Hookup, and Garage Door Reinforcement.  Special Needs/Retrofit items include modifications such as widening of doors, installation of wheel chair ramps, etc.  In order to apply for Water/Sewer Hookup, you must have water and/or sewer services available to your home.  Call the Utility Department at (772) 871-5330 to determine whether or not service is available in your area.

9.  Does Community Services hire the contractors?
You select your own licensed contractors.  You must obtain three (3) bids for each job.  Bids must be based on standard builder-grade replacements or mitigation improvements.  The housing program pays the amount of the lowest bid for the work.
For jobs of $2,500 and over we will schedule a pre-construction conference with you, the contractor(s), and a representative from our inspection service.  You will review and sign a written agreement with the contractor(s), indicating the general requirements for any work funded under the Program.

If the repair will exceed $25,000, the Housing Program Staff may require that repairs be completed by a general contractor selected from an approved list or through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

10. Are there funds available for water/sewer assessment assistance?
ELI, Very-low and Low-income households may qualify for payment of the remaining balance of the water/sewer assessment fee.  All repair/rehab program guidelines apply, except for the following:
*Households are allowed up to $60,000 in assets.
*Assistance is in the form of a grant, with no lien placed on the property.

Water/Sewer Assessment Assistance can be provided in addition to other strategies.

11.  Do I need to have good credit to get assistance? 
Applicants do not need to have good credit to apply.  However, if your home is in foreclosure, if a bankruptcy action affecting the home has been filed, or if you are behind on your home loan payment, funding may be delayed until the payments are brought current.

12.  How can I give back to my community?
A volunteer program was started at the request of program recipients who wanted to give something back to the community.  The Community Services Office coordinated with United Way of St. Lucie County and other social agencies to help fill volunteer vacancies.  Applicants are not required to volunteer, but if you indicate that you will perform community service, you will be expected to fulfill that obligation.

13.  How do I apply for assistance?
Community Services accepts applications until all funds are committed.  When funds are limited, we may establish a waiting list.  Please call 344-4084 or 871-5264 for information on funding availability and specifics on the application process.  If you are hearing impaired, call the TDD line (772) 873-6309 for assistance

14.  When will I know if I have been selected?
We are required to send verifications to confirm all sources of income and assets.  This process usually takes a few weeks.  If you are qualified, your file will be chosen on a “first-come, first-ready” basis unless selection by income is required to maintain compliance with State guidelines.  You will receive a letter letting you know whether or not you have been selected and the status of your application.

15.  Will I be allowed to refinance if I receive housing assistance?
If the City pays for your water/sewer assessment only, you will not be impacted by any type of lien on your home.  If you receive any other type of assistance, however, we will place a Mortgage against your property and must approve of any refinancing that you may be considering.  The City’s current policy allows for refinancing (subordination of our Mortgage), if your household will benefit with an interest rate and/or housing payment reduction that is sufficient to offset the costs of refinancing.  You may not receive any funds (cash out) in the transaction, but the City may approve of funds paid directly to a contractor for home improvements.  In general, the City will require that its original Mortgage position be maintained and that tax and insurance payments be escrowed.  This policy is subject to change at any time.

16.  Can I apply for assistance more than once?
Households may qualify for additional funding under the same strategy after the forgiveness period has ended and/or the remaining balance is “due on sale.”  Clients may qualify for additional funds in the same strategy only if the total of all funds received and to be received does not exceed the maximum allowed for the same strategy in the current program year in accordance with the household’s current income level.  If a household does qualify for additional funds, the unpaid balance of the previous loan will be added to the new funding and forgiven and/or repaid according to the current program guidelines.  Assistance for payment of the Water/Sewer Assessment is limited to one property per household.
This information was created to answer questions regarding the Port St. Lucie Housing Assistance Program. It is subject to change at any time. 
Contact Community Services at:
(772) 344-4337, (772) 344-4084 or if you are hearing impaired call TDD (772) 873-6309

City of Port St. Lucie
121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd, Room 221
Port St. Lucie, FL  34984
www.cityofpsl.com

The City of Port St. Lucie Housing Assistance Program does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or against any other protected classes.  In addition, any reasonable accommodations required by the public may be arranged through the Community Services office.