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Hernando Today

HELP Program Alive And Well

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: January 4, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County Housing Authority issued a press release recently saying it is accepting applications for providing housing repair and rehabilitation funding assistance to homeowners with "very low income."

"If physical conditions of the home pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the household occupants and-or may not meet current health, fire and building codes, there are funds available to help," the release states.

It goes on to say that the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) provides 0 percent interest loans to qualified eligible homeowners of up to $37,000 per home to assist with the cost of needed repairs.

Sound familiar?

It should.

This is the same program launched by County Commissioner Jeff Stabins back in July under a different name: the Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP).

At the time, Stabins pitched HELP as an alternative to the lowering of impact fees by at least 25 percent for a minimum 18 months. In fact, it was one of the reasons commissioners threw out the impact fee reduction, lobbied hard for by local builders and businesspeople.

Trouble is, Housing Authority Director Donnie Singer had a hard time trying to get people to sign up for HELP.

Originally only available to seniors, Singer expanded it to handicapped and disabled persons in the community. Finally, early in December he opened it up to the general populace.

As of Friday, the Housing Authority has approved six applications for HELP. Two of those applications will come before county commissioners for approval Jan. 14 with the rest scheduled for a later date.

This latest release from Singer's department makes no mention of Stabins HELP initiative.

Singer called it an oversight.

"HELP is active and well," he said.

Singer said the income limits have always been part of the SHIP program, even before Stabins' HELP initiative.

What HELP does is allow the county to carry out its own in-house rehabilitation efforts, instead of relying on other programs, he said.

Singer said he hopes more people will come forward and apply after the holidays.

As does Stabins.

"I wish the hammers had been flying six months ago," Stabins said Friday. "But we'll keep trying."

Stabins said he too is disappointed in the response to his program. He also said he was surprised his HELP program wasn't mentioned in the release.

"I really don't know why he didn't use the word "HELP," Stabins said,. "But it's really the same program and we're trying to get the people to sign up. It's a great opportunity."

To that end, Stabins said the county will send out letters to people whose property values are under $50,000 and could be eligible. He also plans an informational meeting to get the word out.

To be eligible for the funding assistance, applicants must use the home as their primary residence and have a total gross household income less that $19,800 for one person; $22,600 for 2 persons, $25,450 for 3 persons, $28,250 for 4 persons.

Mobile homes are ineligible for the funding assistance under the guidelines of the program.

For additional income guidelines and for more information, contact the Housing Authority at 754-4160.

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

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