Ellicott District Community Development, Inc.

12/13/2018

10/27/2017

05/05/2016

Space is limited. Please contact us at 856-3262.

07/24/2015

ACQUISITION - REHAB PROGRAM - 50 / 50
Low-income first-time home buyers who are purchasing homes in the City of Buffalo may receive a conditional grant for one half of the rehab cost, up to a maximum of $25,000, to assist in the rehabilitation of an existing one- or two-family home located anywhere in the City of Buffalo. Under the 50/50 program, City funds will be used to match private financing for renovations to bring the property into compliance with local standards and lead based paint hazard reduction requirements.
Funds are provided as a ‘conditional grant’ with a ten year owner-occupancy requirement. In order to ensure the recapture/repayment of public funds if the program conditions are not met, the City will retain a mortgage interest on the property for the ten year term of the loan. During the loan term (or “recapture period”) the homeowner must occupy the property as his or her principal place of residence. The funds provided must be repaid if the property is sold during the recapture period, or if the residency requirement is not met.
This program is also available to assist income qualified households who own -
• property in need of major repairs that has been (or will be) purchased through the In Rem tax auction, a bank foreclosure, HUD or FHA sale, or private sale or transfer of title within a family,
• property with multiple emergency conditions, and property not located on a target street
• property with emergency conditions and letters of violation that have been referred to housing court. Note - Properties in targeted areas will be assisted through the standard rehab loan programs.
The purchaser must demonstrate an ability to fund one half (or more) of the cost or any necessary repairs from his or her own funds, or from borrowed resources, prior to City funds being disbursed. As part of the pre-screening for this program, the owner must submit a "pre-approval" for funding from a "non-predatory" source (see attached guidelines). An open-ended home equity line of credit is not an acceptable source. An owner should not actually sign any lender loan documents or obtain any borrowed funds until the full cost of their share is determined and a loan closing is ready to be scheduled.
Other Program Guidelines:
• Purchasers will be low/moderate, first-time homebuyers who meet the HUD low income guidelines.
• Program participants will be required to submit the standard financial application forms and supporting income documentation.
• The owner must submit a "pre-approval" for funding from a "non-predatory" source. An open-ended home equity line of credit is not an acceptable source.
• The purchaser must be buying the home as his principal place of residence and maintain it as such until the 50/50 program loan is repaid or through the recapture period.
• Taxes and insurance must be paid through an escrow account with the mortgage lender.
• In the case of homes to be purchased, the applicant must qualify for a mortgage loan with a mortgage financing institution and must attend homebuyer training through one of our affiliated agencies. The cost of repairs may be made part of the purchase money mortgage.
• The house must be a one or two unit dwelling or condominium and no tenants may be displaced.
• Following referral by the initiating CBO, Belmont Shelter will be responsible for all other aspects of program implementation, including ensuring that matching funds requirements have been met. CBOs may contribute AHC, or other funds toward the owner’s match, if available.
• An exterior conditions assessment and interior HQS evaluation will be completed to determine the scope of work necessary to bring the structure into compliance. The evaluation will be completed by Belmont Shelter staff and a copy of the required work specifications will be provided to the owner for bidding.
• A Risk Assessment analysis for lead based paint must be completed by a certified assessor for each property considered for the program. Required remediation actions will be included in the scope of work.
Terms
• No monthly or annual payments are required - City mortgage term is 10 years and will be forgiven at the end of the term providing residency requirements are met. Owner occupancy will be verified annually by the City.
• The loan will be secured by a note and mortgage for the approved, specified terms. BURA will hold the second position, which will be junior to the traditional financing (bank mortgage, etc.).
• Matching funds must be provided from a non-federal source. The City loan will be in second position.

07/24/2015

The goal of the DPCC/First-Time Homebuyer’s Program is to expand home-ownership opportunities by providing financial assistance to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers for closing cost related to the purchase of their first home. Funds are provided as an interest-free conditional grant/loan with a five-year term that is secured by a second mortgage on the property. You need not make any monthly payments toward this loan unless your home is sold, or transferred before the end of the term. In those cases, the full amount of the loan will have to be repaid. If you reside in the property as your principal residence for the full five years, and meet all other program obligations, at the end of the five-year term, the loan will be forgiven.

ELIGIBILTY
1. The applicant must be an income-eligible first-time homebuyer, that is, an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home during the three year period prior to purchase of a home (see definitions below).

2. The property must be a one-family dwelling located in the City of Buffalo that is in generally good condition with no major housing code violations or lead based paint hazards.

3. Verification of household income must be supplied. To qualify, applicant households must meet the Federal Income Guidelines for low income households.

*No application will be processed until all necessary, required documents for the program are submitted to the Office of Strategic Planning Division Housing Staff.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LIMITS and TERMS
Funding will be provided as a deferred payment, zero percent interest (0%) loan/conditional grant of up to $5,000.00. If the purchaser resides in the home for the full five-year term of the loan, the loan will be forgiven and no repayment is required. The assistance will be available to income-eligible homebuyers obtaining mortgage financing for the purpose of a home. The property must be located within the legal limits of the City of Buffalo.

ELIGIBILITY of PROPERTY to be PURCHASED
1. Type of Property: The home to be purchased must be a one-family home, situated on a parcel of land to be owned by the purchaser.

2. Condition of Property: The property to be purchased must be in good condition, not in need of repairs and should be in compliance with both federal Housing Quality Standards and City of Buffalo Housing Codes. Any lead based paint hazards must be addressed by the seller and a clearance test must be completed to ensure compliance.

3. Property Value: Pursuant to Federal Regulations at 24 CFR $ 92.254, the appraised value of the property to be purchased cannot exceed the FHA 203(b) mortgage limit for a one-family house in the Buffalo area. The property value as per the regulation are $209,057 (one-family).

4. Location: The property to be purchased must be located:
• Within the legal limits of the City of Buffalo
• Outside the established 100-year floodplain.

NOTE: Closing Cost Assistance does not cover reimbursement for funds paid prior to closing, for example, mortgage application fee, appraisal fee, credit report, 1st year’s homeowner insurance, home inspection, etc.

For additional information regarding Program Parameters, Pre-Purchase Requirements and Covered Closing Cost, please contact Ida Thomas @ 856-3262 ext. 13.

07/24/2015

The Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. is now accepting applications for the City of Buffalo's Target Area Loan Assistance Program. To see if you qualify call us at 856-3262.

06/29/2015

Timeline photos

04/23/2015

Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. is now accepting applications for the City of Buffalo's Weatherization Program. For more information contact our housing staff at 856-3262.

10/17/2014

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09/18/2014

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07/25/2014

The Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. is now accepting applications for the City of Buffalo's Target Area Loan Assistance Program. To see if you qualify call us at 856-3262.

05/13/2014

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04/08/2014

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03/19/2014

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03/10/2014

The Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. is now accepting applications for the City of Buffalo Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program (DPCC). The goal of the DPCC/First-Time Homebuyer’s Program is to expand home-ownership opportunities by providing financial assistance to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers for closing cost related to the purchase of their first home. For more information and eligibilty requirements contact Ida Thomas at 856-3262.

02/11/2014

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Buffalo Emergency Assistance Program. For more information call 856-3262.

12/17/2013

The Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. is available to assist homeowners with applying for the STAR Exemption. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2013. Call the office for assistance 856-3262.

11/18/2013

Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. wishes to Thank everyone who came out to support our Swing into Fall - Swing Dance event.

11/08/2013

Need help buying a home? Contact EDCD certified housing staff and let them assist you. Home buyer Education Classes, credit counseling, home inspection process and how to obtain a mortgage.

10/09/2013

EDCD, Inc. invites you to join us for a night of fun as we Swing into Fall.

09/20/2013

The Foreclosure Prevention Informational Meeting is filling up fast. Reserve your space today.

EDCD, Inc. working together with the community to make the Ellicott District a strong and vibrant community.

09/09/2013

Timeline photos

09/05/2013

STAR Registration Program

New York State has passed new legislation that will permanently change the way you apply for your STAR exemptions. The state now requires homeowners to register for the STAR Exemption directly with them. This is being done to prevent fraud. It's illegal to have the exemption on multiple properties, and it's illegal to claim the exemption on your primary residence in NYS, and have a similar primary residence exemption on another property outside of the state.

You must register with the State in order to receive the STAR Exemption in 2014, and you have until December 31, 2013 to get it done. Once you're registered for 2014, the state will monitor your eligibility for the years to come. Remember, this exemption is for your PRIMARY RESIDENCE ONLY. Please share this info with your family and friends, because too many people fail to take advantage of this.

The following is the link:

http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star13/default.htm

New legislation requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years.

08/12/2013

Hey everyone theres a community meeting coming up August 14th at the William YMCA from 5-8 pm

07/25/2013

Hey everyone. There will be a bulk trash pickup on July 28th.

07/24/2013

Hey everyone! The National Night Out is August 6th. What are you doing for this day?

07/19/2013

Good morning all. Today we would like to share some information about the Jessie Clipper Memorial in Buffalo's Ellicott District. Jessie Clipper was the first African-Anerican killed in WWI. The inscription on the front of the memorial reads: "In memory of the valiant service of negroes on all ward of these United States...".

07/17/2013

Answer was A

07/16/2013

Good Afternoon! Let's play another Buffalo Trivia Game. What year was the War Memorial Stadium demolished? Was it
A) 1988
B ) 1999
C) 1982
D) 2002
Comment with your answers below. Answer will be posted tomorrow morning!

07/15/2013

Betty Jean Grant and Timothy Hogues present A Summit on Violence, Crime, and Homicide In Buffalo, New York. It will be held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:45pm at the Frank E. Merriweather Library 1324 Jefferson Ave. Buffalo, New York . The purpose of this forum is to bring all of the stakeholders together to brainstorm, exchange ideas and share information to address the violence in our community. Your presence is important. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Legislator Grant at 602-5877

07/12/2013

Sunday Night Jam Session, Colored Musicians Club, Buffalo, New York 2/26/12

Just a little taste of what you will get if you go to the festival

145 Broadway at Michigan, Buffalo. There's no other place in the world like Buffalo's Colored Musicians Club. The club offers live jazz in an intimate settin...

07/12/2013

Hey everybody. The Historic Colored Musicians Club will hold their 8th Annual Queen City Jazz Festival. It will be held on July 27, 2013. It will be from noon-8:00 pm on Michigan St. between Broadway and William St right next to the Colored Musicians Club (145 Broadway)