Phone: (317) 674-8108 Fax: (317) 674-8610HAND has developed six rental properties that provide 96 high-quality apartments to seniors and individuals in Sheridan, Noblesville and Cicero. These projects were strategic steps in the organization’s development plan and, as such, consumed the bulk of organizational resources over the years. However, HAND has experience and the capacity to offer other services and programs. As a small, nimble organization, look for HAND to administer or create homeownership programs similar to those listed below:
Neighborhood Stabilization Program:
Through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, Hamilton County was entitled $2.3 million dollars from the United States Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A portion of these funds was put towards a down payment assistance program for income qualified purchasers of foreclosed properties.
In 2009-10, HAND assisted a total of 36 people, in 15 households, in their purchase of a home. The purchased homes were located in Noblesville, Fishers, Carmel, and Westfield with an average purchase price of $114,500. All homebuyers participated in an 8 hour homebuyer training course prior to purchasing their new home. The Neighborhood Stabilizaton Program’s Down Payment Assistance leveraged approximately $1.4 million in homebuyer FHA or convential mortgage investment in Hamilton County.
Noblesville Homeownership Program:
During 2008, HAND built three homes in Noblesville and sold them to families who have income that is at or below 80% of the area median income. HAND provided down payment and closing cost assistance to these families. For these homes, HAND served as the developer that hires and oversees the contractor as the homes are built. HAND also worked closely with each family in order to determine eligibility and select finishes for the homes.
Home Buyer Counseling and Education Program:
During early 2008, HAND held an 8-hour homebuyer pre-purchase education session. The purpose of HAND’s homebuyer counseling and training program is to educate Hamilton County citizens about the home buying process, financial management, credit, and homeownership responsibilities including maintenance. When aspiring homeowners are educated about these issues, they are able to make better decisions regarding what types of mortgages to take out, how to handle credit card and other debt, and how to manage their finances. This education will help reduce the number of people taking out predatory loans in Hamilton County, and therefore fewer families will go through foreclosures. Furthermore, this education can assist families in decreasing or eliminating their debt so that they can eventually be more financially independent and begin to build their assets.
Home Owner Occupied Rehabilitation:
In 2003-2004, HAND partnered with Hamilton County and received a grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to do owner occupied rehabilitation on 11 homes. This program provided new roofs, doors, and heating and air conditioning systems for these low- to moderate-income residents. In 2004, Hamilton County was designated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as an urban county. This designation has resulted in the allocation of funds for community services, infrastructure projects, and housing activities through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Hamilton County Commissioners and the Noblesville Housing Authority administers the CDBG program which includes home owner occupied rehabilitation.