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Hernando Today

Stabins' HELP Program For Seniors Only

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: September 8, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County Commissioner Jeff Stabin's self-styled economic stimulus package, better known as "HELP," gets off the ground today.

There's only one catch. You have to be at least 62 to apply.

And there are a few other restrictions that will further limit people's chances of getting one of the zero-percent loans Stabins touted in his Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP).

Stabins, who left a phone message Friday, said he was discouraged to hear about the age limitation from Housing Authority Director Donnie Singer.

"I was concerned when I heard from Donnie that he had to advertise the program for 62 and above," Stabins said. "Apparently, there are some federal requirements that start with older residents."

Stabins hoped that if not enough people are eligible, the loan money could be extended to other age groups.

That is true, but only for handicapped people.

"The elderly are the first priority and if we don't get enough of the elderly - although I think we will - then the next thing would be handicapped persons under the age of 62," Singer said.

Stabin's HELP program proved popular when he introduced it in July as an alternative to the lowering of impact fees by at least 25 percent for a minimum 18 months to provide access to $25 million in state funds for down payments for first-time homebuyers. In fact, it was one of the reasons commissioners threw out the impact fee reduction.

Dudley Hampton Jr., president of the Hernando Builders Association (HBA), said he did not know about the age restriction. He believes it should have been brought up during the impact fee discussion.

"We expect our county commissioners to be good stewards of our money and make informed decisions," Hampton said. "It appears all the information wasn't available.

"But I don't think if they had all the information, that it would have changed the vote on reducing impact fees," he added.

At the time, Stabins said HELP would provide zero-percent loans available through the already-existing State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP) to people whose homes are valued at less than $30,000.

However, that's not true either.

Singer said there are no restrictions on home values and loans can go to homes valued at more than $30,000.

Singer admits Stabins may not have been well-versed on the mandated uses of SHIP money when he first presented it to the public.

Will it restrict the number of participants?

"Certainly," he said.

But he believes HELP will benefit the low-income elderly in the county, a large segment of the population.

There are more restrictions that might disqualify many from participating.

In addition to being 62 years or older, the applicant must be head of the household and must be listed on the deed to the property.

Plus, their gross annual household income must fall into certain guidelines:

•$19,800 or less for a one-person household

•$22,600 or less for a two-person household

•$25,450 or less for a three-person household

•$28,250 or less for a four-person household.

Other restrictions: Applicants cannot live in a mobile home; the repairs or rehabilitation to the home cannot exceed $37,000.

The loans must be used to repair or correct building code violations, for energy conserving features, for accessibility for elderly or handicapped people and for the repair of health or safety violations, Singer said.

Singer said about $1.8 million of SHIP money has been earmarked for this HELP program.

"We're probably looking at about 45 loans that we can fund out of (that)," he said.

Singer said applicants can come to his Housing Authority office at 2 North Broad St. in Brooksville or call 754-4160. Applicants will be picked on a first-come, first served basis.

Singer said Lakeland-based Guardian Community Resource Management Inc., which is under contract with the county, will go out to the applicant's home, perform an evaluation, and bring it back to Singer's office, which will determine if the project is eligible for rehab funds.

The loans must be paid back when the house is sold or when it is no longer the primary residence of the person receiving the loan.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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