Houston HOPE

 

The City of Houston (City) Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) has designed the Houston HOPE to provide financial assistance to low-to-moderate income homebuyers who are in the Houston HOPE areas or any area/neighborhood designated by the Mayor of Houston for revitalization.

• HCDD staff will administer Houston HOPE according to the policy and procedures set forth in the administrative guidelines. (add link to Administrative Guidelines)
• Funding for Houston HOPE will be available through the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and the American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
• Houston HOPE will provide direct financial assistance to offset portions of the down payment, closing costs, pre-paid items and principal required for home purchase.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Please read the information below to help you determine if you are a qualified applicant for the program:

 

• The applicant must demonstrate the ability to obtain a mortgage loan (financial, credit worthiness, etc.)
• The family’s combined income must be at or below 80% of the area median income
• The applicant must complete at least eight (8) hours of homebuyer education from any participating HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency (.xls, updated 3.22.2011)
• The sales price for the property cannot exceed the Single Family Mortgage Limits under Section 203(b) of the National Housing Act ($200,160).
• The applicant must purchase a new or existing home. The following structures are approved for
  
  • Houston HOPE:
    
    • Single-family property (detached and attached 1-4 units)
      
    • Condominium unit/Townhouse
      
    • Modular home/Manufactured home
      
    • Cooperative unit
    • See Minimum Property Standards for New Constructions (.doc, 05.10.2012)
    • See Minimum Property Standards for Existing Properties (.doc, 05.10.2012)
• The property must be located in Houston HOPE (.pdf, updated 07.17.2009) areas or any area/neighborhood designated by the Mayor of Houston for revitalization.
  
• HCDD Inspection Services Section is required to conduct an independent physical inspection on the property. Despite the HCDD’s inspector completing a physical inspection of the property, it is highly encouraged that the potential homebuyer gets his/her own TREC inspection
  
• The applicant must invest at least $500 into the home buying transaction (i.e. earnest money, appraisal, etc.)
  
• The applicant must live in the home for 10 years for assistance to be forgiven
  
  

Funding Requirements

 

• The amount of assistance is $30,000 for teachers, police officers, firemen, and EMS personnel whose income is at or below 80% of the area median income.
• The amount of the assistance is $30,000 for all other families whose income is at 80% or below the area median income. Applicant(s) combined annual household income must be at or below the amounts listed in the Household Income Limits to qualify for Houston HOPE funds.
• The two bullet points above updated 11.17.2010

 

Applicant(s) combined annual household income must be at or below the amounts listed in the Household Income Limits to qualify for GNND funds.

 

 

page last updated 05.10.2012

 

 

2012 Household Income Limits Family Size 80% of the Area Median Income 1 $37,450 2 $42,800 3 $48,150 4 $53,500 5 $57,800 6 $62,100 7 $66,350 8 $70,650   The calculator below will help determine if you qualify for Houston HOPE. However, the calculator result alone does not automatically qualify you for our programs

City of Houston, Houston HOPE Income Eligibility Calculator (THIS CALCULATOR ONLY AVAILABLE VIA INTERNET EXPLORER)   Household Size Household Income $         Qualify - Based on the information submitted you might qualify for the City of Houston Houston HOPE. Please contact us at 713-522-HOME for further assistance. Over Income Guidelines - Based on the information submitted your income exceeds the area median income limits for this program.

For further information on HAP, please call 713.522.HOME (4663).