Community Development

Down East Home Consortium (DEHC) HOME Program

The Down East Home Consortium’s (DEHC) HOME Program is part of the City of Rocky Mount/DEHC’s Annual Action Plan. Each year, the City/DEHC submits an Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) outlining its efforts to improve housing in the City of Rocky Mount and other member jurisdictions of the Down East Home Consortium (Conetoe, Edgecombe County, Middlesex, Pinetops, Princeville, Sharpsburg, Spring Hope, and Whitakers). The Annual Action Plan is in keeping with the Down East Home Consortium’s Consolidated Plan that is produced every three years, the plan outlines strategies for addressing needs of low/moderate income individuals and families.

The HOME Program is designed to help maintain decent, safe, and affordable housing for low/moderate income families in the Twin County area. The program helps homeowners, who are financially unable to make the necessary repairs, bring their homes into compliance with the HUD Quality Standards and Energy Star Standards. The DEHC’s HOME Program meets the low/mod National Objective for housing.

The following are responsible for the daily administrative operation of the DEHC HOME Program:

Applications are also available by contacting the following DEHC members:

Dwelling Unit Eligibility

1. The applicant must have owned the property for at least five (5) years. Applicant must be the legal owner as evidenced by the Deed.
2. Single family units that are occupied by the property owner.
3. The property must not have overdue property taxes or judgments (Hospital judgments will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
4. Dwelling unit must be located within the unincorporated areas of Edgecombe County or within the corporate limits of the participating jurisdictions (Conetoe, Middlesex, Pinetops, Princeville, Sharpsburg, Spring Hope, and Whitakers).
5. The homeowner must have no mortgages/liens in excess of $10,000 (mortgages/liens for the purchase, home equity or improvement) on the property.
6. Property must be the applicant’s current residence at time of application.
7. The cost of repairs cannot be more than 90% of the tax value or appraised value of the dwelling unit after it has been repaired.
8. The property address cannot be the site of any unlawful activity that constitutes a crime under state or federal law (drugs, domestic violence, guns, etc.) per police records.
9. The homeowner must agree to have the property tested for lead-based paint hazards; any identified hazards will become part of the work write-up.
10. Property insurance (and flood insurance if located in the 100-year flood plain) must cover dwelling.

Applicant Eligibility

1. Must be the legal owner of the property for at least five (5) years as evidenced by the Deed.
2. Has not received assistance through a grant funded rehab program for more than $12,000 in the last three (3) years.
3. Has not received any HOME Program funds within the last ten (10) years.
4. Must be financially stable (not currently going through bankruptcy or foreclosure).
5. Cannot owe any back taxes (town/city or county). If a payment plan is in place, the applicant MUST be current with payments.
6. The homeowner/co-applicant, or any immediate family member residing in the home, cannot have a recent arrest (three years).
7. The homeowner must commit to maintaining his/her home in a standard and clean condition. (This includes cleaning the yard and the house prior to rehab work starting).
8. Must meet median income limits (see following section).

Maximum Rehabilitation Loan

The maximum deferred HOME Loan available through this program shall be no more than the lowest responsible bid based on the work write-up prepared by the Department of Community Development or $40,000.00 per unit, whichever is less (provided the cost of repairs plus any outstanding debts cannot be more than 90% of the estimated value of the dwelling unit after it has been repaired). If an eligible housing unit has lead-based paint hazards or lacks indoor plumbing, the maximum allowable limit on a rehab can be increased from $40,000 to $50,000. If over $50,000, a justification will be required to support the increase in cost of repairs.

Eligible Project Improvements

Every assisted dwelling unit must at a minimum confirm to HUD Quality and NCHFA energy efficiency standards, including those related to lead-based paint. When inspecting each dwelling unit, the Housing Rehab Specialist will employ those standards in preparing the work write-up.

Loan Terms

All deferred loans shall be secured by a Promissory Note, Loan Agreement, and Deed of Trust and shall bear an annual interest rate of 0%. If the loan is less than $40,000, payments are deferred over a 10-year period of affordability. Ten percent (10%) of the original loan principal shall be reduced and the debt forgiven on each anniversary date of the loan note. If the loan is over $40,000, payments are deferred over a 15-year period of affordability. This mean 6.67% of the original loan principal shall be reduced and the debt forgiven on each anniversary date of the loan note.

During the duration of the loan, the homeowner must follow the HOME program guidelines as well as ensure that the property maintenance and insurance requirements are met. If the homeowner complies with the terms of the loan agreement, the homeowner shall continue to own/occupy the property. In the event of default made by violation of or non-compliance, the loan shall become immediately due and payable. Upon the death of the homeowner, sale, or transfer of property, or refinancing of this loan, the loan is due. An immediate family member, who meet the program eligibility requirements, may assume the loan upon written authorization of the Down East HOME Consortium.

Application Processing

1. The HOME Coordinator contacts applicants that meet the General Eligibility, Dwelling Unit Eligibility and Applicant Eligibility requirements to ensure that they have fully completed a HOME Program Application Form and that they provide the following documentation:
   • • Most recent Social Security Statements for all who live in the Home
     • Social Security Card of all adults in the Home
     • Copy of Tax Returns for two years OR a signed Income Tax Affidavit that explains why the applicant did not file a tax form.
     • Picture ID of all adults in the Home
     • Deed to property
     • Death Certificate if a deceased person is listed on the deed and/or copy of Power of Attorney and/or copy of recorded deed that includes lifetime rights agreement if applicable.
     • List of Household Expenses
     • Utility Bill OR any other statement to show proof of residency (i.e. water bill, telephone bill, etc.)
2. If the applicant does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements, the HOME Coordinator prepares a letter to the applicant that explains their ineligibility and right to appeal.
3. If the applicant fails to provide all required information, the HOME Coordinator prepares a letter listing the missing information and requesting that the applicant provides the information within ten (10) days. The letter clearly states if the requested information is not received within ten (10) days the application will be withdrawn.
4. If the Community Development Administrator agrees with the recommended application denial, the HOME Coordinator sends the applicant and the jurisdiction a denial letter that includes the reason(s) for the denial and an explanation of the appeal process.
5. If the Community Development Administrator agrees with the recommendation for approval, the HOME Coordinator sends the applicant a preliminary approval letter.
6. The Housing Rehab Specialist schedules an inspection of the property to include the HOME Coordinator. During the inspection, the HOME Coordinator will meet with the property owner to explain the program and answer any questions.
7. Upon approval of the work write-up by the Community Development Administrator, the Housing Rehab Specialist and HOME Coordinator review the scope of work with the property owner and ask the property owner to sign in indicating that they agree with the work to be done.
8. Once a work write-up has been approved by the homeowner, the work is bid out to contractors.
9. After the bid has been awarded and the contract documents have been prepared, the HOME Coordinator calls the property owner and contractor to schedule the contract-signing meeting and work on the property is scheduled to begin within seven (7) days after contract signing.
10. Once the project is complete, the contractor obtains a local final inspection on all permitted work and cleans the property of all construction debris and then calls the Housing Rehab Specialist for a final inspection. To verify that the work completed is in accordance with the contract, the property owner, HOME Coordinator and the Housing Rehab Specialist conduct a final inspection of the repair work completed by the contractor. A statement of satisfaction is signed by the property owner and kept as part of the permanent file.
11. The property owner will be advised of what items are covered under the one-year warranty, and that the roof carries a two-year warranty. If a warranty issue arises a Complaint Form is completed and submitted to the Housing Rehab Specialist.