The Housing Authority developed the Revitalization Plan Statement for Hope VI Urban Revitalization Demonstration program for the Kennedy Brothers Memorial Apartments (KBMA) April 3, 1995, and was submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval. The plan included the development and construction of 124 replacement housing units of 50 home ownership units on the property bordering the Southern section of the Kennedy Brothers Memorial Apartments. The design for the replacement housing and home ownership units was approved as single family detached housing with private yards.

The targeted population in the original plan was to allow the KBMA Residents that are income- eligible to have an opportunity to participate in the home ownership program. First priority went to the Residents from the Kennedy Brothers Memorial Apartments for the Home ownership Program. After all marketing efforts had been exhausted at Kennedy Brothers Memorial Apartments for the recruitment of Residents to participate in the home ownership program, the opportunity was be extended to other Public Housing and Section 8 Residents.

The home ownership program in the plan was proposed to be structured similar to the HUD HOPE I program. HOPE VI Grant funds have been identified and approved to provide down payment assistance and interest rate buy down. Initial discussions have been held with major El Paso lending institutions providing first mortgages.

The Housing Authority also developed a 112 unit subdivision in West El Paso located in Rubin Heights.  The site provided 10 unit homes for Public Housing while the rest were offered to the general public through various builders.

Section 8 (HCV) Housing Choice Voucher - Homeownership Program

The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, TX (HACEP) currently has an active Section 8 (HCV) Homeownership program.  The program was initiated during the summer of 2003.  Thru HACEP Fiscal 2006, there have been a total of thirty seven (37), Very Low Income, proud families in this program who are now participating in the American Dream of owning a home.

In a Nut Shell, How Does the HCV Homeownership program work?
The Section 8 Homeownership program is part of a composite Housing Authority outreach effort to enable people to become homeowners who currently receive monthly rental assistance through the HACEP.  As this composite outreach includes programs for residents of Public Housing, the Section 8 Homeownership program is made available specifically to families within the Section 8 tenant population.

The basic premise is to use the Home Choice Voucher for assistance to pay monthly mortgage payments as opposed to using the assistance to pay participant’s monthly rental payments.  The program also enables participants to obtain, through various partnering organizations, partial assistance to pay for Down Payment and Closing Cost.  Credit counseling, Financial Literacy, Home maintenance, and Asset Building training is also provided through partnering organizations.  Much training and counseling is provided before the purchase, and there are also required post-homeownership courses that participants must attend in order to continue their quest for long term participation in the American dream of being homeowners.

Where are the homes selected, and who helps the participant find one?
Participants may select a home, within Buyer’s qualifying price range, anywhere inside the city limits of El Paso.  It may be a Re-Sale, or New Home, or a “Builder’s Spec”, (a home that’s been started by a builder and is at least in the “Slab” stage where the foundation is already built). 

Homes for sale usually have a real estate sign on the front lawn, or there may be a builder’s sign, or a “For Sale By Owner Sign”.  The home may be offered by word of mouth, or perhaps the Landlord where the tenant lives may be willing to sell the unit.  The participating family must be represented by a licensed real estate agent and the purchase must close through a Title Company.  Participating Realtors must attend an Annual Realtor Orientation sponsored by the housing authority and supervised by the Homeownership Coordinator.  Owner Financing is not allowed.  The Homeownership Coordinator assists the participating family in a step-by-step procedure throughout the entire process.

What are the basic requirements for a participating family to qualify for this program?
Participating families must first have a Section 8 Home Choice Voucher and must:
Be a first time homeowner (has not had ownership interest in a residence during the last three years, except for displaced homemaker or a single parent,
Pay a minimum of $500 towards participant’s down payment and/or closing cost,
Have savings of at least $1,300,
Must have credit worthiness as determined by an approved Lender,
Must meet minimum income requirements,
Must attend a First Time Homebuyer course and attend a four (4) hour Buyer Orientation,
Must attend post-homebuyer training seminars arranged by the HACEP.

What is FSS, is there a waiting list?
FSS means Family Self Sufficiency.  Individuals participating in the FSS program establish documented goals for their quest to become self sufficient.  Some of these goals may include obtaining a GED, attending ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and among other goals, perhaps obtaining employment.  Persons enrolled in the FSS program are given first priority when also participating in the Section 8 Homeownership program.  FSS clients do not have to be enrolled in a waiting list before applying for the Section 8 Homeownership program.  All other Section 8 tenants must first be enrolled in a wait list before being processed as participants.