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<br />November 28. 2006 <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br />. Pending adoption, the Office of Management Services will ensure the funds are <br />budgeted and utilized in FY07 and FY08 to eliminate lead as a health hazard for 13 <br />properties. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Randall, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />"ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $272,680 FROM THE <br />VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND <br />APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2006-2007 GRANTS FUND BUDGET <br />FOR LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION IN CITY RESIDENCES." <br /> <br />Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Randall, D. Smith, R. Smith, Holley <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />06 - 542 - Adoption of an ordinance appropriating in the 2006-2007 Community <br />Planning and Development Program Fund Budget the sum of $100,000 in excess <br />HOME program income received in FY 2006 to be used for the Down Payment and <br />Closing Cost Assistance Program administered by the Portsmouth Redevelopment and <br />Housing Authority. Vision Principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of <br />Community. <br /> <br />Background: <br />. The mission of PRHA is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of <br />Portsmouth through resource acquisition, asset management, and the pursuit of <br />innovative opportunities. The objectives of PRHA and the City's affordable <br />homeownership policy work hand-in-hand with the HOME Program's primary objectives <br />of providing decent, affordable housing to low-income households, and strengthening <br />the ability of the state and local governments to provide homeownership. <br />. The Down Payment and Closing Cost Program provides financial assistance to <br />families at or below 80% of the area median income. The goal of this program is to <br />increase homeownership rates among lower income and minority households and to <br />revitalize and stabilize the communities within the City. The Down Payment and Closing <br />Cost Program will assist first-time homebuyers with the biggest hurdle to <br />homeownership - down payment and closing cost. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />. In FY 2007, the Down Payment and Closing Cost Program has assisted <br />approximately 33 first-time homebuyers and 14 families are waiting to receive <br />assistance. <br />. Twelve families will have new homes that give them safe, decent and affordable <br />places to live and the pride of homeownership. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br />. There is no financial cost to the City. These funds will assist approximately <br />twelve additional first-time homebuyers to obtain down payment and closing cost <br />assistance through the HOME Program. The assistance from this program is provided <br />in the form of a loan. It is a direct subsidy used by the homebuyer to purchase a home <br />within the City of Portsmouth. The program provides each qualified homebuyer up to <br />$8,000 of assistance. <br /> <br />Staff Recommends: <br />Adoption of proposed ordinance. Vision Principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a <br />Sense of Community. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br />. Pending adoption, the sub recipient agreement between the City and PRHA will <br />be amended to include the additional funding for down payment and closing cost <br />assistance. <br />