Overview

The primary goal of the Housing Services Department is to provide safe, sanitary and affordable housing to very low and low income citizens in the unincorporated areas of Leon County. The County Department of Housing reviews applications and verifies all information provided by the applicant, to ensure that they meet eligibility
requirements. Individual homeowner recipients are selected based on compliance with all eligibility requirement of the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other programs, and is  served on a first-come, first served basis. The Housing Program uses several strategies to achieve its goals. The strategies are as follows:

• Down Payment Assistance for Existing Units Without Repair

• Down Payment Assistance for Existing Units Needing Repair or New Construction

• Down Payment Assistance with Self-Help

• Home Rehabilitation

• Home Replacement

• Disaster Mitigation

• Transitional and Emergency Housing

• Development of Affordable Housing Rental Units

Preference is given to eligible applicants in the order of the selection criteria listed below:

1. Very Low Income

• Elderly (age 60 and older), and/or handicapped head of household applicants

• Households with minor children and/or handicapped members of the household

• All other very low income persons and/or families

2. Low Income

• Elderly (age 60 and older), and/or handicapped head of household applicants

• Households with minor children and/or handicapped members of the household

• All other very low income persons and/or families

3. Moderate Income

• Elderly (age 60 and older), and/or handicapped head of household applicants

• Households with minor children and/or handicapped members of the household

• All other very low income persons and/or families

Eligible activities for major rehab include "gut" rehabilitation, reconstruction, and the repair of housing systems such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical. Modular/manufactured homes with the Department of Community Affairs insignia, in accordance with Chapter 553, Florida Statutes, are eligible for assistance with SHIP funds; however, mobile homes are not eligible with SHIP funds. CDBG funds allow rehab on mobile homes. Rehabilitation will comply with the local minimum housing code standards and Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. This strategy is to promote the preservation of existing housing stock. The homeowner must agree to attend a mandatory Home Maintenance Workshop provided by the Housing Office.

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION & HOME REPLACEMENT PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

***2005 Program Income Limits***

"YOU MUST OWN THE HOUSE AND LAND AND BE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS"

Funding Sources

We have three sources of funding to achieve this goal: State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Housing Finance Authority (HFA) funding from the sale of bonds. The SHIP program is an ongoing source of housing assistance funds, receiving an annual allotment of documentary stamp tax revenue from the state. CDBG, FHA and other housing funds are available only through the competitive process. Leon County's participation in these programs is not guaranteed, as Leon County, unlike the City of Tallahassee, is not defined as a participating Jurisdiction (PJ) or entitlement community. PJ's/entitlement communities receive funds every year directly from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Housing staff continues to seek other funding sources.

Qualifications

Housing services are made available to persons who own and occupy homes located in unincorporated Leon County. Family owned or heir property is eligible provided that the current resident can legally subdivide and place a Lien on the property.

For more information, contact Latheria Charleston, Housing Coordinator at (850) 606-1914 or charlestonl@leoncountyfl.gov.