Housing

Regional efforts to improve housing opportunities for low-income and elderly people are central to these programs and projects. Communities are benefiting from revitalization and increased tax bases. Homebuyer education and outreach have contributed to program successes.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Housing, Northland Pioneer College and the Northern Arizona Council of Governments, partnered to provide funding for the Regional Homebuyer Education College Course Delivery. The course provides purchasing education to first time homebuyers in the region’s northeastern area (23,000 square miles) via an interactive video broadcast at ten viewing sites. The course is state approved and participants receive .5 credit hours at no charge.

An example of a refurbished home made possible by the Southern Iowa COG Housing Site Improvement Grant Program.

Communities in Southern Iowa Council of Governments’ eight-county region can now cost-effectively clean up properties and increase tax bases through the council’s Housing Site Improvement Grant Program. Cities receive reimbursements of 50 percent for costs incurred in home acquisition, demolition and rebuild preparation costs. Homes are rebuilt within two years and sold to individuals at 110 percent below the median household income level. One partnership between a city, three high schools and a college trade school has already enabled rebuilding.

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, in North Carolina, partnered with county, city, school, aging program entities and a private developer to undertake the Vance County Housing Project. The project upgrades and expands the existing senior center, develops 31 elderly apartments and an adult day care and redevelops a historic school. Project construction cost is $3,250,000. Critical funding to remove hazardous material and improve infrastructure came from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Capital Area Planning Council, in Texas, via its housing finance corporation, partnered with local tax jurisdictions to develop the Affordable Housing Infill Program. The program transforms non-producing infill lots into home sites. Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), rural vacant lots with back taxes owed were mapped. The taxing districts then assisted with lot ownership transfers to the corporation. The corporation then guaranteed interim construction loans and a partnering builder constructed the houses. In-fill home sale prices average $70,000.

Award Winners Northern Arizona Council of Governments, Regional Homebuyer Education College Course Delivery. Contact: Kenneth Sweet or Margaret Keener, 119 E. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001; 928/213-5211; fax 928/773-1135; email mkeener@nacog.org; web www.nacog.org Southern Iowa Council of Governments, Housing Site Improvement Grant Program. Contact: Tim Ostroski, 101E. Montgomery St., Creston, IA 50801-0102; 641/782-8491; fax 641/782-8492; email ostroski@sicog.com; web www.sicog.com

Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, Vance County Housing Project. Contact: Neil Mallory or Steve Norwood, P.O. Box 709, Henderson, NC 27536; 252/436-2040; fax 252/436-2055; email snorwood@kerrtarcog.org; web www.kerrtarcog.org Capital Area Planning Council, Affordable Housing Infill Program. Contact: Betty Voights, 2512 S. Interstate 35, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78704; 512/916-6008; fax 512/916-6001; email bavoights@capco.state.tx.us; web www.capco.state.tx.us

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