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Housing Programs

Print Version

Homebuyer Assistance Program
Single Family Housing Conversion Program
Community Development Assistance Program
Single Family Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grant Program
Infrastructure Improvement Grant Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial and Residential Housing Codes and Inspections
Mandatory Rental Housing Inspection Program

FAIR HOUSING ORDINANCE

Homebuyer Assistance Program

First Time Homebuyer Assistance Grant

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has awarded Homebuyer Assistance funds to the City of Carbondale. The Homebuyer Assistance Program will use these funds to assist lower-income persons with the purchase and rehabilitation of a home located within the Carbondale city limits.

The Homebuyer Assistance Program can provide up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to the home buyer and further funds for rehabilitation of the property to bring the dwelling up to the City’s housing codes. The home purchaser must provide at least $1,000 towards the purchase price and qualify for and obtain financing from a participating lender.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Homebuyer Assistance Program, applicants must be first-time home buyers or not have owned a home within the last three years. The household income must be less than or equal to 80% of the area median income. Income limits annually set by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are based on the number of persons in the household.

The Application Process

Persons participating in the program will be required to attend a Homebuyer counseling program conducted by Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council (WEEOC), contracted through the City to administer the Homebuyer Assistance Program.

Based on the assistance provided, the potential home owner will receive a zero interest forgivable loan for the down payment assistance and the rehabilitation funds that is secured by a recapture agreement. If you receive $14,999 of assistance or less, your recapture agreement will be for five years. If you receive $15,000 or higher, your recapture agreement will be for ten years. Every month that you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, a portion of your loan will be forgiven. At the end of the five or ten year term, the loan will be completely forgiven. If the home is sold or the home is no longer owner occupied before the end of the term, the amount to be paid back will be pro-rated based on the length of time the home was owned and occupied.

Homebuyer Assistance Program Summary

Target Area: Within the city limits of Carbondale

Assistance Available: Forgivable 0% interest rate loan to assist in the purchase and rehabilitation of a home

Maximum Income for Eligibility Family Size/ Maximum Income:
1 Person $30,600       2 People $35,000
3 People $39,350      4 People $43,700
5 People $47,200      6 People $50,700
7 People $54,200      8 People $57,000
Maximum Home Value After Rehab $258,690

Eligibility Requirements: Must not have owned a home in the last three years, must purchase a home in Carbondale.

 

Grant Requirements: Minimum of $1,000 towards down payment of home, must bring proof of one year’s worth of pre-paid homeowner’s insurance to the closing, occupy the home for the 5 or 10 year loan term.

Maximum Assistance $40,000

If you are interested in further information, please contact:
Khristina Vaughn, Housing Programs Administrator
e-mail: kvaughn@ci.carbondale.il.us
Phone: 618-549-5302 ext. 346

 

Single Family Housing Conversion Program

On October 16, 2007, the Carbondale City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2007-39, recognizing the importance of home ownership within the community to strengthen and revitalize established residential neighborhoods. This ordinance created the Single Family Housing Conversion Program designed to stimulate and encourage the conversion of single family houses that have been registered rentals to owner occupied homes.

City’s Commitment

• A $5,000 grant will be given to approved home buyers of a single family house that has been registered with the City of Carbondale’s Mandatory Rental Housing Inspection Program in excess of two years at the time of purchase. The home must be located in a residential zone within the corporate limits of the City of Carbondale.

• The City will waive all applicable permit fees required in the improvement of the house for two years after the purchase.

• The City will provide the homeowner with a housing inspection performed by a Building and Neighborhood Services Housing Inspector. Please note that this service is intended for personal knowledge only and should not be used in place of a professional housing inspection.

Owner’s Commitment

• The owner agrees to place a covenant on the property that would require the house remain occupied by the owner of record for a minimum of 10 years.

• Property purchased must be occupied as the principal residence and be a single-family home, a condominium or a cooperative unit and be purchased through a fee simple title.

Application Process

• Once you are ready to purchase a home, complete an application and provide all necessary documentation to the Housing Programs Administrator at City Hall.

• The Housing Programs Administrator will verify that the home to be purchased is an eligible rental home that has been registered with the City for at least two years prior to the closing date of the home purchase.

• With the seller’s permission, one of the City’s Neighborhood Services Housing Inspectors will perform a housing inspection on the home.

• Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee participation in the Single Family Housing Conversion Grant Program. Eligible applicants are served on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Once the home is determined to be eligible and grant funds are available, the home buyer will sign an agreement with the City. After the agreement is signed, the home buyer must provide evidence of the covenant filed upon the deed of record and shall provide the City with proof of said covenant within thirty (30) days of the signing of the agreement.

• Upon receipt, verification and approval of the information as required, the City shall submit the $5,000 payment to the grant recipient within sixty (60) days after closing for the purchase of the property.

The Application for the Single Family Housing Conversion Program is available here in (pdf) format.

If you are interested in further information, please contact:
Khristina Vaughn
Housing Programs Administrator
e-mail: kvaughn@ci.carbondale.il.us
Phone: 618-549-5302 ext. 346

 

Commercial and Residential Housing Codes and Inspections

The City of Carbondale's Building & Neighborhood Services Division conducts inspections on all commercial and residential construction and renovation to ensure that life, health, and safety measures have been met. Building codes adopted by the City are the 1996 BOCA National Building Code, 1996 National Electrical Code, 1993 Illinois State Plumbing Code, 1996 BOCA National Mechanical Code and the 1995 C.A.B.O. One & Two Family Dwelling Code. All building, plumbing, and electrical work performed within the City limits requires a permit be obtained. Periodically during the construction process, inspections will be performed by the Building Inspector to ensure compliance with the building codes.

Mandatory Rental Housing Inspection Program

The City of Carbondale also adopted the Mandatory Rental Housing Inspection Program which required rental property owners to register and provide access to rental dwelling units for inspection by City staff once every three years. The inspections are performed to ensure compliance with the building codes. If these structures are not "up to Code", a "Notice of Violation" is issued to the property owner requesting compliance within a specified period of time. If corrections have not been made within the designated period of time or an extension has not been granted, a citation may be issued for noncompliance with City Code.