Housing
Select a topic to get more information. In order to apply for one of the listed programs, call 850-891-6566. Or pick up an application at the office located in the Frenchtown Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb Street, Third Floor, Tallahassee, Florida
Upcoming Events
Proposed Use of Funds for Anticipated Awards of HUD Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant, and State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program
As an entitlement grantee of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the City of Tallahassee is required to develop and submit an Annual Action Plan to HUD. The Annual Action Plan proposes uses of CDBG, Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding and strategies and projects to be carried out with the anticipated annual grant award. HUD also requires grantees to involve the public in the development of the Annual Action Plan and gain input on the potential uses for federal housing funds. While the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds are not subject to federal regulations, they are considered when allocating federal funding.
Pursuant to HUD requirements, the City of Tallahassee is holding its one and only public hearing on the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan on June 19, 2019. The public hearing will be held at the Smith-Williams Service Center, 2295 Pasco Street, at 6:00 pm. Concerned citizens and organizations are encouraged to attend this meeting to offer comment on the plan and the anticipated use of funds, which are detailed in the draft plan.
Comments must be received by Monday, July 1, 2019. They may be provided in person at this scheduled public hearing or in writing to: Jean Amison, Housing & Grants Administrator, City of Tallahassee, Department of Community Housing & Human Services, 300 South Adams Street, B-27; Tallahassee, FL 32301-1731, to Jean.Amison@talgov.com, or dropped off at the City’s Department of Community Housing and Human Services located at 435 N. Macomb St., 3rd Floor, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. A draft of the proposed 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan is available online.
Anyone needing language translation or disability accommodations to review the Annual Action Plan or to attend the public hearing should contact Jean Amison at 850-891-6566. Interested parties needing services for hearing impairment should call the City’s TDD relay at 711 at least 48-hours prior to the start of the meeting, excluding weekends and holidays.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The City of Tallahassee has prepared a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This CAPER reports the uses of HUD funds during the last fiscal year (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018) and compares it to the goals set in the Annual Action Plan.
SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan (2016-2019)
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program aids government in providing affordable housing.
Local Housing Assistance Plan
The Local Housing Assistance Plan provides a summary of the housing strategies the City will fund with State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) money for state fiscal years 2016-2017 through 2018-2019. SHIP funds are used for home purchase, home preservation, disaster assistance, and new construction for ownership and rental.
Housing Programs
Code Enforcement Repair Program
The Code Enforcement Repair Program assists low-income owners of homes that are owner-occupied to eliminate exterior code violations, and to improve and preserve neighborhoods at the same time.
What is the Code Enforcement Repair Program?
Up to $2,500 per unit in a forgivable loan is available to assist income-eligible owners of homes that are owner-occupied, who have received notice of code violations, to make the necessary repairs to bring their home into compliance. Eligible repairs may include the following:
- Exterior painting
- Rafters, soffit and fascia repair
- Window glass and screens
- Railings and stairs
- Landings and porches
- Yard maintenance and debris removal when done in conjunction with repairs to the home.
Ineligible repairs include:
- Repairs to mobile homes
- Driveways, sidewalks and paved areas; and
- Removal of inoperable vehicles
Client Eligibility
To receive repair work, the applicant must demonstrate ownership of the unit and it must be his or her primary residence.
Total household income cannot exceed 80% of the area median income, adjusted for family size, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applicants must demonstrate proof of income.
Assistance is provided as a zero-interest loan requiring no monthly payments. If the homeowner occupies the home for five years after the repairs are complete, the loan is forgiven.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Guidelines 2018
(Family Size - Max Gross Income)
- 1 Person - $37,750
- 2 Persons - $43,150
- 3 Persons - $48,550
- 4 Persons - $53,900
- 5 Persons - $58,250
- 6 Persons - $62,550
- 7 Persons - $66,850
- 8 Persons - $71,150
How to Apply:
For more information or to initiate the application process, please call The Department of Community Housing & Human Services at 850-891-6566 and ask for information on the Code Enforcement Repair Program or email the Online Housing Program Help Desk. Voicemail and email messages will typically be answered by no later than the close of business the next business day.
Storm Damage Mitigation Program
The Storm Damage Mitigation Program provides grant assistance to low-income homeowners to:
- Trim and/or remove trees that have been determined to pose a risk to the home in a storm event,
- Elevate at-risk hot water heaters and HVAC units in flood prone areas, and
- Make other specific improvements that will harden the home against storm damage.
Please see the flyer for more information and for program income limits (PDF)
How to Apply
To initiate the application process, click on the link below and, once registered, select Emergency Home Repair Program at the Start New Application screen.
Apply for the Storm Damage Mitigation Program
For additional information or help completing the online application, please call The Department of Community Housing & Human Services at 850-891-6566 and ask for assistance with the Storm Damage Mitigation Program or email the Online Housing Program Help Desk. Voicemail and email messages will typically be answered by no later than the close of business the next business day.
Emergency Home Repair Program
The goal of the Emergency Home Repair Program (EHRP) is to improve the living conditions of low-income homeowners by removing health and safety hazards and/or architectural barriers from their homes.
Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program
Committed to improving the quality of affordable housing, the City of Tallahassee allocates a substantial portion of its housing budget each year toward improving the stock of owner occupied housing.
Down Payment Assistance Program
To assist low-income residents in purchasing a home, the City offers down payment and closing cost assistance to qualified applicants.
A loan of up to $7,000 is available for down payment or closing costs towards a new or existing home. For very low-income residents who qualify to purchase a home, an additional $5,000 loan is available.
The Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium (TLC) is a non-profit agency that administers the Purchase Assistance Program. In addition to the Purchase Assistance Program, TLC provides homebuyer education, credit and finance counseling, and assistance in selecting a mortgage lender. It is TLC's mission to provide affordable home ownership options, and serve as a resource to help citizens make the best possible decisions about finding, financing, and purchasing a home.
Eligibility
To qualify for assistance in the Purchase Assistance Program, you must be a candidate to be approved for a home mortgage. Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium can assist you to improve your credit and manage your finances. To be eligible to receive the purchase assistance loan, your TOTAL GROSS household income (before taxes) must not exceed the following amounts, adjusted for household size:
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Guidelines
(Family Size - Max Gross Income for those at or below 80% of area median income)
Leon County Area Median Income (AMI): $67,400
| Income Category |
Persons in Household |
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| Extremely Low - 30% of AMI |
$14,150 |
$16,460 |
$20,780 |
$25,100 |
$29,420 |
$33,740 |
$38,060 |
$41,320 |
| Very Low - 50% of AMI |
$23,600 |
$27,000 |
$30,350 |
$33,700 |
$36,400 |
$36,400 |
$41,800 |
$45,150 |
| Low - 80% of AMI |
$37,750 |
$43,150 |
$48,550 |
$53,900 |
$58,250 |
$62,550 |
$62,550 |
$71,150 |
For more information please visit the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium website or call 850-222-6609.
Purchase Assistance for City of Tallahassee Employees
The City has additional assistance available for employees who are purchasing homes in one of the City's target areas. Target areas include Apalachee Ridge, Providence, Bond, and Greater Frenchtown (Frenchtown, Griffin Heights and Springfield) neighborhoods. Employees can receive a loan of up to $5,000 if their GROSS household incomes do not exceed the following amounts, adjusted for household size:
(Family Size - Max Gross Income)
- 1 Person - $54,120
- 2 Persons - $61,800
- 3 Persons - $69,480
- 4 Persons - $77,160
- 5 Persons - $83,400
- 6 Persons - $89,520
- 7 Persons - $95,760
- 8 Persons - $101,880
For more information or to obtain an application, please call the City's Housing Division at 850-891-6566.
Rental Rehabilitation Program
Assistance to existing residential rental property owners is provided through the City's Rental Rehabilitation program.
Program Features:
- Properties:
- Residential rental units up to 4 units per building
- Buildings may be located anywhere in the City
- No targeted neighborhoods
- Funding:
- City will loan up to 80% of the cost of rehabilitation
- Funds are limited to no more than $20,000 per unit
- Loan Terms:
- Terms and conditions will be based on need, feasibility and availability of funds
- Loans can be from 0-3% deferred interest and possibly deferred payment based on cash flow
- Amortization schedule will be consistent with affordability period
- Proforma must demonstrate at least 1.1:1 debt service ratio
- City funds and private or bank funds will be released on prorata basis
- No funds released without prior CHHS inspection and draw approval
- Affordability:
- Units must be rented to those at or below 80% area median income
- Affordability period (minimum of 5 years) will be based on amount of City loan
- Underwriting:
- Detailed scope of work and preliminary estimates must be submitted prior to underwriting
- All rehabilitation work must meet the City's written rehabilitation standards and be in compliance with the Florida Building Code for Existing Buildings
- Scope of Work must match permits pulled
Homeownership Opportunities
Each year new units are built or rehabilitated for very-low income and low-income households in the City of Tallahassee and made available for purchase to income-eligible buyers. The City works with non-profit organizations called Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to build or rehabilitate the new units. More new units may also be available through Inclusionary Housing. Please contact the Department of Community Housing & Human Services for more information.
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)
Community Housing Development Organizations are non-profit agencies that are qualified to develop affordable housing for the community they serve. Federal money is set-aside for CHDOs each fiscal year.
To purchase a housing unit built or rehabilitated by a CHDO, a household must meet all program requirements. There is an income limit and households must qualify for a home mortgage. The best way to get information about the new units being constructed is to contact the City's Housing Division at 850-891-6566.
Inclusionary Housing
The Tallahassee City Commission passed an ordinance in 2005, requiring new developments in certain areas of the city with 50 housing units or more, to sell 10% of their units at an affordable price. The sales price range is set by the ordinance. Developers are allowed to pay a fee instead of building the units. The money collected will then be used to build future affordable housing units.
To qualify for inclusionary housing units, your income must fall between 70% and 100% of area median income. This range is determined by the HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) income guidelines on an annual basis. To find out if you qualify, contact the City's Housing Division at 850-891-6566.
Households must qualify for a home mortgage loan. A household that makes less annual income than the range above may still qualify for an inclusionary housing unit if they can secure a sufficient home mortgage loan. Inclusionary housing units are subject to re-sale restrictions. For more information visit <a href="/growth/inclusionary-housing.aspx">Inclusionary Housing Program</a>. You may call the City's Housing Division at 850-891-6566 for information or to request an application by mail.
HOW TO APPLY:
For more information or to initiate the application process, please call the City's Housing Division at 850-891-6566.