TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cauley, MPA, Director of Economic and Community Development
DATE: May 5, 2025
RE:
Title
Options for 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:
At the April 7, 2025, City Council Work Session, staff presented several proposed changes to the City's Homebuying HERO program. During the same meeting, City Council reached consensus to direct staff to return in May for further discussion and guidance regarding the Mayor's agenda item request to expand the program. Staff from the Economic and Community Development Department have reviewed all requests and prepared recommendations for City Council's consideration and consensus.
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 Valley Health System, who became eligible for increased assistance of up to $30,000.
This expansion coincided with the rebranding and relaunch of the Homebuying HERO program on July 1, 2024, establishing three distinct categories with corresponding funding amounts: Citizen HERO, offering up to $20,000; Public Service HERO, offering up to $30,000; and City Employee HERO, also offering up to $30,...
Click here for full text