COUNTY PROGRAM COULD MAKE HUD RECIPIENTS NEW HOMEOWNERS

A new county run program aims to increase home ownership for low-income families.  The Homeownership Option Program (HOP) will allow Section 8 HUD rental assistance participants to apply rental housing assistance payments toward mortgage payments instead.  The program is being launched by the County Department of Housing and Human Concerns.

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There are currently 1,360 participants in the HUD voucher program.  All will receive an invitation and registration form to attend program workshops planned for October in several locations including, Central Maui, Upcountry, Lahaina and Molokai.  The deadline to mail in registration forms is Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.

The program is made possible through the partnership of the county with community organizations, government agencies and businesses.

To qualify for HOP, applicants must be participating in Maui’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, be a first-time home buyer, meet minimum income and work requirements, and have the financial means to pay closing costs. Applicants must be in compliance with the terms of their lease and the rules of the HCV program, and must not have any outstanding balances owed to the County of Maui.

Each participant must be able to qualify for a mortgage loan and locate an affordable property to purchase. To qualify for a home loan, participants should have a very good credit history and a stable income for approximately two years. Anyone interested in HOP is strongly encouraged to start preparing now to meet loan qualification requirements or consult with a mortgage-lending institution to learn what possibilities exist for them to obtain a home mortgage loan. For credit repair and money management issues, please consult a Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

For more information, contact Housing Specialist Stephanie Franco at

270-7185 or stephanie.franco@mauicounty.gov.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui)