FIRST CHECK CUT TO HOUSTON COUPLE AS PART OF THE CITY'S HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Homebuyer Receives $10,000 Check for Down Payment
October 7, 2005 -- Today a Houston couple received a $10,000 check for a down payment on a new home as part of the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program to help low- and moderate- income buyers get into safe and affordable housing. This is the first check cut since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized the city to resume spending HOME funds in mid-September. The city now has access to $63 million from HUD to help provide affordable housing for citizens of Houston.
"This is a great city of opportunity and we want all Houstonians to have the opportunity to own their own home. Home ownership is a foundation for families and for our neighborhoods," said Mayor Bill White. "For many citizens, the biggest barrier to owning a home is the inability to afford the down payment and closing costs. We have moved quickly with the city's Homebuyer Assistance Program so people can get the funds they need to get into their own home."
HOME Program funds are the largest federal block grant to state and local governments. They are the City's primary source for homebuyer assistance.
Left to right: Milton Wilson, Jr., Director
of Housing Dept., Sergio DeLeon and wife Vioelta Martinez and Mayor White.
Left to right: Milton Wilson, Jr., Director of Housing Dept., Sergio DeLeon and wife Vioelta Martinez, Mayor White, and Dr. Edward Pringle, HUD's Director
For further information on the Homebuyer Assistance Program please call 713-522-HOME (4663), or see the Homebuyer Assistance Program Overview at www.houstonhousing.org.
