Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 19, 1993 TAG: 9306190249
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Little did she dream she would ever own the brick and clapboard house on Clifton Avenue in Northwest Roanoke.
"I can't find words to express how I feel," Jones said as she talked about what the house means to her.
Jones bought the house recently with the aid of a program that helps low- and moderate-income people buy their own homes.
The city provides up to $3,500 in federal community development funds to help cover the down payment and closing costs for home buyers.
The precise amount is determined by the buyer's income and assets.
The funds are available only for people such as Jones who are buying homes for the first time.
"This program has been a lifesaver for me. I couldn't have made it without the city's help," Jones said. "I had almost given up hope I would ever have my own home."
Jones, who moved into the house in April, said she already has become attached to it.
"There is no place like your own home."
The city has helped 60 people buy their own homes in the past fiscal year, said Dan Pollock, the city's housing development coordinator.
Nearly $160,000 in federal money has been provided for down payments and closing costs.
The sale prices of the homes have ranged from $20,000 to $70,000, with most below $50,000.
Most of the buyers would have been unable to purchase a home without the city's assistance, Pollock said.
At Pollock's request, City Council voted this week to give the program an additional $85,000 for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30.
More federal money is needed to help an additional 28 buyers who have qualified and are waiting to close on houses, Pollock said. Forty other applications are being processed.
The city has budgeted $128,000 for the program for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Under federal regulations, the city must spend the community development money on programs that help low- and moderate-income people. The home-assistance program is one of nearly a dozen housing programs in the city.
The city receives about $2.5 million a year in community development money, which is used for housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization and other projects.
To be eligible for the home-assistance program, the income of an individual or family must be no more than 80 percent of the median income in the city.
For an individual, that would be no more than $21,900. For a family of four, income must be no higher than $31,300.
Jones, 54, had plenty of reasons to doubt she would ever have her own house.
She lived in the city's low-rent, public-housing projects for more than 15 years as she raised six children after her husband died. She lived in the Hurt Park community for 14 years and Highland Manor for 16 months. And she lived in Jamestown Place for two months.
Jones and her husband lived in privately owned rental property for nearly 20 years before he died.
Jones was looking for a place to rent last year when she spotted the Clifton Avenue house. She did not then know about the city's home-assistance program.
She found the monthly rental rates for houses in the Northwest area to be $350 to $400 - more than she could afford on her salary as a restaurant worker.
When she saw the Clifton Avenue house, it was vacant and needed repair. There was a real estate agent's sign with a phone number in the front yard.
Jones called the agent to see if the house was for rent. She thought the rent might be a little lower than that of nearby houses. That's when she learned about the assistance program for first-time buyers.
The real estate agent explained the program and steered her to the city Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which administers it.
The house cost $26,000. The city gave her $3,000.
Jones provided an additional $1,200 for the down payment, using her own savings, an income tax refund and a loan from one of her sons.
Guidelines for the housing program require home buyers to provide at least $500 of their own money.
Jones' house payments are $290 a month - lower than the monthly rent for similar houses.
Since moving into the house earlier this year, Jones and several family members have been busy making repairs, painting and plastering walls. Two of her children and one grandchild live with her.
Several other families in public-housing projects also have taken advantage of the program. Bankers and real estate agents like it.
Owning a home makes people feel better about themselves, a real estate agent told council this week.
Besides helping people achieve the dream of owning a home, Pollock said, the program helps keep more houses from becoming rental property.
That has become a major concern of city officials in recent years as they have tried to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods. They say homeowners take better care of property than renters.
Council members say the home-assistance program is one of the most effective in the city.
"I can't think of anything that has done more to promote home buying," said Councilman Howard Musser.
Councilman James Harvey agreed.
"This gives you a good feeling. I hope we can find a way to get more money into this," Harvey said.
by CNB