TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cauley, MPA, Director of Economic and Community Development
Jeffrey M. Morin, Housing Program Manager
DATE: May 12, 2025
RE:
Title
Revisions to the Homebuyer HERO Programs
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
GOAL IV: The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate.
? 4.5: To ensure a place for people to live in great neighborhoods
? 4.6: To reduce poverty and homelessness
Executive Summary:
Council is asked to approve the following changes to the Homebuyer HERO Programs:
* Revise Public Service HERO to include all federal, state, and local government employees and retirees, all public and private healthcare professionals and retirees, and employees and retirees of public and private educational schools and institutions.
* Revise City Employee HERO to provide funding up to $30,000, include City of Fayetteville retirees, and allow for immediate eligibility upon hiring. The requirement of 1 year of employment will remain in effect and be secured with a Deed of Trust and Promissory Note for the full amount of assistance.
* Remove the first-time home buyer requirement from all three programs to allow for move-up buyers, with the condition that the applicant cannot own a home, solely or jointly, at the time of closing.
Background:
In May 2024, City Council approved an expansion of the City's down payment assistance program. As part of this expansion, funding for low-to-moderate income individuals transitioned from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, eliminating the requirement for matching down payment funds. The expansion also extended eligibility to public service employees, including those employed by Cumberland County Government, Cumberland County Schools, and Cape Fear Val...
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