Over the years, the Authorities have offered a number of programs that have helped families buy their first home. The first program, known as the Carlisle Opportunity Homes lease-purchase program, was launched in 1989. Since that time the Authorities have developed similar programs in communities such as Enola, Mt. Holly Springs, Shippensburg Borough and Township and Lemoyne. Recently, the Authorities rolled out a county-wide lease purchase program modeled on the Authorities' previous homeownership initiatives.

The Authorities also administer a down payment and closing cost assistance program that is funded through the County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

First Time Homebuyer Programs

Definition of a First Time Homebuyer: A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has never before owned a home, or has owned a mobile home but not the land the mobile home was located on, or someone who has lost their home due to a divorce settlement and has not owned a home since (displaced homemaker), or someone who has not owned a home within the last three years.

Interfaith Housing - New Homes AT COST! (some assembly required). (Shippensburg and Newville). Interfaith Housing of Pennsylvania has 3 and 4 bedroom homebuyer opportunities in their Mutual Self Help Housing Program in Shippensburg and Newville. Funded by USDA Rural Development and CCHRA, this program helps homebuyers build their own home-at-cost with basically no money down. This program helps homebuyers who earn less than 80% of the area median income, are able to obtain a USDA home mortgage and are willing to put in 30 hours a week of sweat equity per household. Interfaith Housing helps you each step of the way. First, they help you get a USDA Rural Development mortgage (100% financing, no PMI, an interest rate as low as 1% and no out of pocket closing costs). Then Interfaith Housing staff will train you in home buying and carpentry skills plus they are on the jobsite to show you how to build a house. You will be part of a building group and each family helps the other families and nobody moves in until the last home in the group is completed. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other trades are contracted out. The result is that one day you move into your new, modern home that is worth considerable more than it cost because of your own hard work, with no money down, plus you have a low monthly payment. To find out if you qualify, call Brian Kump, Community Development Manager at (717) 532-2475.

County-wide Lease/Purchase Homeownership Program (excludes Carlisle Borough, Shippensburg Borough and Shippensburg Township). Houses will be available under this program from time to time throughout Cumberland County. The program is limited to households earning less than 80% of the County median income. Houses are leased for a period of up to three years. No money is required up front. During the lease period, a portion of the family's rent is set aside in a savings account for use for down payment and closing costs. At the end of the lease period, the family must obtain permanent financing and purchase the property. A deed restriction requiring the property to remain homeowner occupied for a period of twenty-five years will be in place.

Participants must earn enough income to qualify for a mortgage for the property in three years without additional subsidy. Total debt at the signing of the lease cannot exceed 15% of gross monthly income. Households must commit to reducing total non-housing debt to 7% of gross monthly income during the lease period. This program allows for more leniency concerning credit and debt because the purchaser has a three-year lease period to work on credit problems and paying down on existing debt. Gross income from all sources is used to determine income. Credit standing will be a consideration. Applicant must be a first time homebuyer, defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years or has lost their home due to a divorce. If you are interested, please contact Pat Mrkobrad for an application. (NO HOUSES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME)

Cumberland Non-Profit Housing Corporation. Houses are bought in the Shippensburg area and rehabilitated for lease to low/moderate income families. Leases are for a period of up to three years. A portion of the rent payment is set aside in savings for down payment and closing costs. No money is required up front. By the end of the lease period, the family must obtain permanent financing and purchase the property. A deed restriction requiring the property to remain homeowner occupied for a period of twenty-five years will be in place. Down payment and closing cost assistance is available. Credit standing will be a consideration. The program is limited to households earning less than 80% of the County median income. Gross income from all sources is used to determine income. Minimum income levels to qualify for permanent financing at the sales price of the home must be met. This is a first time homebuyer program. If you are interested, please contact Eric Krohn at (717) 532-3105 for an application. Information verification is required and an interview with a tenant selection committee from the Cumberland Non-Profit Housing Corporation Board.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program. (Contact Pat Mrkobrad @ 717-249-0789 ext. 136)

"FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME"

This program provides $3,000 and $5,000 in assistance to qualified first time homebuyers who purchase homes in Cumberland County. This program offers assistance in the form of a five year forgivable loan to eligible first time homebuyers with an income below 100% of the County median income. The assistance can be used toward the price of the house and/or closing costs. Households with an income at or below 80% of the County median income would only be eligible to participate in this program when the First Front Door Program of the Federal Home Loan Bank (available through local banks) is depleted. An exception will be made for those applicants who obtain financing for their home through the USDA Rural Housing Service or are participants with any Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority program or related non-profit programs.

FHL BANK PITTSBURGH

FIRST FRONT DOOR PROGRAM

"Funds are Available"

PARTICIPATING LENDERS

Bank Contact Address Phone # &

E-mail Address

Fulton Mortgage Company	C. J. Arrigo	P.O. Box 1189, 200 North 3rd Street Harrisburg, PA 17108	717-919-6542 carrigo@fultonmortgagecompany.com
VIST Financial	Christine Warner		717-975-0522 ext. 19 CWarner@vistfc.com
Commerce Bank	Andy Gearhart	200 South Spring Garden Street, Suite B, Carlisle, PA 17013	Andrew.gearhart@ commercepc.com
F & M Trust	Janice Kennedy	1901 Ritner Highway, Carlisle, PA 17013	717-960-1400 janice.kennedy@f-mtrust.com
Community Banks	Jennifer Garman	1196 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17013	717-891-3361 jgarman@communitybanks.com
Pennsylvania State Bank	Brenda Bevins		800-275-9220
Sovereign Bank	Bobbie Goodyear	17 West High Street Carlisle, PA 17013	717-243-6403 bgoodyea@sovereignbank.com
Members 1st Federal Credit Union	Debra Brennan	5000 Louise Drive, P.O. Box 40, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055	717-795-5177 brennand@members1st.org

This program will match the participants' savings 3-to-1. For every $1 of savings, the buyer uses to purchase their house, the County will provide $3 or $5 in grant assistance. The match can not exceed $3,000 for those households with a gross annual income between 80% and 100% of the County's median income; $5,000 maximum for those households with a gross annual income below 80%. All of the funds, the buyer's contribution and the County's assistance, must be expended at the settlement and be properly reported on the settlement sheet (HUD 1). Any funds not needed at settlement will be returned to the Redevelopment Authority by the settlement agent.

A grant agreement will be executed and recorded on behalf of the County of Cumberland in the amount awarded. No interest is charged nor are any monthly payments required to be made by the borrower.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year. The number of applicants chosen each year will depend upon the annual Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation to the Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program for the year.

2007 Income Limits by Family Size

(Income limits subject to change in March 2008)

Family Size 80% of Median 100% of Median

1 person $37,800 $47,300

2 persons $43,200 $54,000

3 persons $48,600 $60,800

4 persons $54,000 $67,500

5 persons $58,300 $72,900

6 persons $62,650 $78,300

7 persons $66,950 $83,700

8 persons $71,300 $89,100

Properties for Sale

County Wide Lease Purchase Program: None

Cumberland Non-Profit Housing Corporation: Contact Eric Krohn at 717-532-3105

CARLISLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES CORPORATION (CHOC)

PRIDE OF CARLISLE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

- HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM -

IF YOU HAVEN’T LOOKED AT WEST NORTH STREET LATELY –

LOOK AGAIN!

OWN A HOME OF YOUR OWN AND ENJOY THESE TERRIFIC BENEFITS:

* Privacy

* Cost Efficient (in many cases, a mortgage is cheaper than paying rent and you may qualify for some tax benefits).

* Paint, paper and Decorate to crate comfortable, personal space.

* Pride of Ownership

HOW CAN I OWN MY OWN HOME?

* With this special program, many people qualify.

* These homes are affordable to individuals and families making as little as $18,000 per year!

* Use your Income Tax Refund and/or Personal Savings for the minimal down payment (as low as $1,650.00). Consider that in the private market, most lending institutions require a 10% down payment (e.g. for a $60,000.00 home, you would need $6,000.00).

* Perspective homebuyers must meet three (3) simple criteria to be eligible to purchase a quality, new or newly rehabilitated home through this special program.

First Time Home Buyer: Applicants must be first-time homebuyers (talk to the Executive Director of CHOC for a definition of "first time", even if you owned a home in the past, you may qualify for this special program).
Good Credit History: Applicants must have good credit (a credit check is required as part of the application process, those with poor credit may still qualify after credit counseling).
Low or Moderate Income: Applicants must meet low or moderate income limits (50% - 80% of the median as outlined on the chart below).

Family Size	Income Limits - A 50% or Less	Income Limits - B 51% - 60%	Income Limits - C 61% - 80%
1	$22,950 Or Less	$22,951 - $27,540	$27,541 - $36,750
2	$26,250 Or Less	$26,251 - $31,500	$31,501 - $42,000
3	$29,500 Or Less	$29,501 - $35,400	$35,401 - $47,250
4	$32,800 Or Less	$32,801 - $39,360	$39,361 - $52,500
5	$35,400 Or Less	$35,401 - $42,480	$42,481 - $56,700
6	$38,050 Or Less	$38,051 - $45,660	$45,661 - $60,900
7	$40,650 Or Less	$40,651 - $48,780	$48,781 - $65,100
8	$43,300 Or Less	$43,301 - $51,960	$51,961 - $69,300

SO IT'S NOT YOUR DREAM HOME...

* For most people, buying their first home is hard because of the large amount of cash needed for the down-payment. With our low home costs and low down-payment expenses, you can quickly build equity in your home while saving for the home of your dreams!

FEEL SAFE AND SECURE IN YOUR NEW OR NEWLY REHABILITATED HOME

* With a new or newly rehabilitated home there should be no costly home repairs.

* Workmanship is guaranteed for one year.

* Many homes have off-street parking.

* All homes have a new heater and hot water heater, as well as updated plumbing and electrical systems.

* Some homes are equipped with central air conditioning.

* Some homes are equipped with a personal home computer and monitor.

* ALL homeowners are encouraged to participate in an established Neighborhood Association, providing you with a unified voice regarding neighborhood development and offering ready access to borough council, police representatives, and Hope Station initiatives.

COMPLETE AN APPLICATION TODAY AND MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS!

* For an application to purchase a new or newly rehabilitated home and be a part of this special program, contact the Carlisle Housing Opportunities Corporation (see contact information below).

*PRIDE OF CARLISLE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE –

HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Click on website address for information on available properties.

OTHER HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BECOME AVAILABLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. PLEASE CONTACT THE CHOC OFFICE FOR UP TO DATE LISTINGS!

For additional information/application, contact:

Amy Neurohr, Executive Director

CARLISLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES CORPORATION

114 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013

Telephone: 717-241-0472 Fax: 717-241-0474

E-mail: carlislehoc@yahoo.com

Website: www.carlislehoc.org

PARTNERSHIPS OF PRIDE

Initiatives led by Carlisle Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) are truly a team effort being supported by state and local government, private and corporate contributions, and local businesses and financial institutions. Through programs such as the Home Investment Partnerships Program, the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Cumberland County Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh , and the Community Reinvestment Act, CHOC is able to make homeownership a reality for low– and moderate-income individuals and families.

educational opportunities

Is home buying right for you?.
How to prepare for homeownership.
A glossary of real estate terminology.
The role of the real estate agent.
What lenders expect from borrows.
Finding a home you can afford.
Your credit report...what it means.
Financial planning and money management.

Information is provided on various mortgage products including FHA, VA, PHFA, GRH, and Conventional. Also covered are down payment and closing cost assistance programs such as The Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority offers education and assistance for you to achieve home ownership. Seminars are held at One West Penn Street, Carlisle, PA and are available free of charge. Registration is required.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

April 3 & 10, 2008

May 1 & 8, 2008

June 5 & 12, 2008

August 7 & 14, 2008

September 4 & 11, 2008

October 2 & 9, 2008

November 6 & 13, 2008

To register, or for more information: please phone 1-866-683-5907 and ask for Pat or voice mail registration to 1-866-683-5907 x300. Please provide your name, address and telephone number and specify which month you are registering for. Attendance at the entire 6 hours is required to receive a certificate. You must be registered to attend.

Down Payment and Closing Cost Application/Guidelines

Home

Tele (717) 249-0789
(717) 697-7703

                   (717) 532-8805

Facsimile     (717) 249-4071

This website maintained by the Cumberland County Housing Authority. Comments or questions, contact cgraver@cchra.com