Shelby CHIP Frequently Asked Questions

City of Shelby CHIP Department
Phone:  419-347-6310
Fax:  419-347-6310

Program Information | FAQ | Program Guidelines

• Income Limits *
  Household income are determined by the total Gross income for the last completed preceding year reported on federal tax forms by all household members-18 years of age or older-living in the home. Applicable forms include IRS 1040, W-2’s, SSA 1099 and others.  Proof of current income must be provided to ensure eligibility at the time of application and to determine an income projection for the next twelve months.

Program Income Guidelines

*Applicants whose total net assets equal an amount greater than $100,000 are not eligible. Items considered net assets include but are not limited to: inheritances, personal valuables, collectables, and payments for mineral rights.

• Housing Counseling
  Clients participating in the Home Buyers Assistance program and the New Construction Assistance program are required to receive approximately seven hours of counseling in areas which include budgeting, home maintenance, lending and fair housing issues. Several sessions will be scheduled both before and after the application process.
• Owner Rehabilitation Program
  This program provides deferred loans in an amount up to but not exceeding $30,000 to low to moderate income homeowners for the purpose of eliminating existing substandard housing conditions.

• Eligible applicants must agree to:

1. occupy the home for at least five years after the rehabilitation,

2. reimburse the program 15% of the total grant when the home is sold or vacated after 5 years,

3. reimburse the program on a sliding scale up to the total amount of the grant if the home is sold or vacated before the 5 year anniversary,

4. be willing and able to allow the administrating agency to retain a mortgage the property and

5. be willing and able to reimburse the program as agreed if the home is sold or transferred as part of the current owner’s estate.

Applicants interested in participating in the Owner Rehabilitation program must complete an application and call this office to schedule an appointment to submit their completed application. At that time, the completed application and all necessary documents will be verified to determine eligibility for the program.  You must have a completed application and all necessary documents with you at this time or your application will be denied.  

The applicant cannot be delinquent or in default on present mortgage payment, homeowners insurance payments, property taxes, assessments or utilities.

Any changes in the household, such as changes in income, in employment or in number of persons in the household, which occur after the verification process but before the program contact is signed will result in a review of the applicant’s eligibility.
After completing this verification process, a rehab specialist will visit your home to perform a walk-thru inspection to determine your housing needs.

Eligible applicants will be processed according to the program’s priority rating system, designed to benefit the most needy of the current eligible applicants.  The system is based upon the applicant’s income and quality of life issues, which exist in the housing unit.

Following the notification of acceptance in the program, the grantee is responsible for contacting three local contractors from the Approved Contactor List. The lowest bidder will be awarded the contract and approval to begin the repairs to the home. 

Eligible homes must meet the Residential Rehab Standards at the completion of the project without exceeding the $30,000 program limit.  If the condition of the home cannot be successfully repaired or renovated to meet these standards without exceeding this maximum, the implementing agency will enforce a “walk-away policy” and the home will be considered ineligible.

• Home Repairs

Applicants interested in participating in the Home Repair program must complete an application and call this office to schedule an appointment to submit their completed application. At that time, the completed application and all necessary documents will be verified to determine eligibility for the program.  You must have a completed application and all necessary documents with you at this time or your application will be denied.  

• Home repair applications are considered on a first-come first-served basis

The applicant cannot be delinquent or in default on present mortgage payment, homeowners insurance payments, property taxes, assessments or utilities.

Homes purchased under land contract do not qualify unless steps have been taken to legally record the land contract agreement.

Eligible projects must not exceed the $5,000 program limit.  If the condition of the home cannot be successfully repaired or renovated without exceeding this maximum, the implementing agency will enforce a “walk-away policy” and the home will be considered ineligible.

• Home Buyers Assistance

This program provides down-payment assistance to low to moderate income home buyer’s for the purpose of purchasing existing modest, affordable, one family homes to be used as their principle residence. The grants for this program cannot exceed $5,000 and cannot be less than $1,000. Funds may be used to provide financial assistance with down payments, appraisals, closing costs or any other fees associated with the purchase of a home.

Home Buyer Assistance applications are considered on a first-come first-served basis. Homebuyers must provide a letter of approval from a lending institution and a copy of their purchase agreement.

Grantees must contribute a minimum of $500 of their own funds toward the purchase of a home under this program. A current home owner’s insurance policy in the amount necessary to cover the total loss of the property is required. The grantee and funding source must be named on the policy

Clients participating in the Home Buyers Assistance Program are required to receive approximately seven hours of counseling in areas which include budgeting, home maintenance, lending and fair housing issues.

Eligible participants may combine funds from this program with other types of private or public mortgage financing, FHA, VA, or FMHA.  Homes currently being purchased under a land contract will be considered for this program if the funds are used to convert land contract agreements to traditional mortgages.

The structure purchased may contain two dwelling units, may be a condominium, factory built or a cooperative unit. It must be on a permanent foundation and cannot be steel framed. The home must be sold by deed, not title.

Units must be vacant or be occupied by an owner who is voluntarily selling and vacating the property.

Owners of homes purchased under the Home Buyers Assistance program are also eligible for Owner Rehabilitation funds up to $30,000 for renovation and repairs, additional terms and conditions of this program would then apply.

 

• Conflict of Interest Resolution

          If a conflict of interest should arise involving an applicant or beneficiary seeking assistance, the case will be reviewed at the request of any involved party.  A determination will be made in a effort to be fair to all parties.  Guidelines determine these possible conflict of interest examples:

1. The applicant is an employee of the City of Shelby

2. The applicant is an employee of the Regional Planning office

3. The applicant is an employee of the office contracted to administer the grant program

This information was prepared in an effort to review the available programs and basic guidelines for those programs.  Written procedures set forth the exact criteria used to determine eligibility for participation in these programs.  If you have any questions about the programs outlined here, please contact Beth Snyder at the City of Shelby CHIP Office @ (419) 347-6310 or The Ohio Regional Development Corp. at (740) 622-0529.  Our office will make every effort to assist you.

City of Shelby 43 West Main Street Shelby, OH 44875 PH (419)347-5131 FX (419) 347-1193