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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNew HOPE WHSP Expanded AnswersNew HOPE CDC – WHPS FY24-25 Expanded Answers Describe how your project will address the strategic goal(s) listed above. The New HOPE Community Development Corporation's (New HOPE CDC) Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is strategically designed to increase access to stable housing for the workforce of New Hanover County. Our program focuses on expanding rental assistance to address the critical housing needs of the county's residents, directly aligning with the goal of enhancing housing accessibility. According to a 2024 study by the North Carolina Housing Coalition, 3,018 families in New Hanover County (NHC) faced eviction, representing 15% of all cost-burdened renters. Furthermore, 35% of households in NHC are cost-burdened, a figure that rises to 53% when considering only renters. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective rental assistance to stabilize housing for a significant portion of the county's population. The rising vacancy rate of 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 indicates that many local residents are being priced out of apartments and can no longer afford housing. This situation is exacerbated by rising housing costs and stagnant salary trends, which pose a significant threat to the economic stability and identity of New Hanover County. As workforce residents are increasingly forced to move to neighboring counties like Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus in search of affordable housing, New Hanover risks losing essential community members who are vital to its social and economic fabric. The New HOPE Rental Assistance Program addresses these challenges by providing financial assistance and support to citizens experiencing short-term hardship, preventing displacement and aiding in housing acquisition. Since partnering with the County in 2023, New HOPE CDC has successfully provided rental assistance support for 72 households in New Hanover County. This partnership has demonstrated our commitment and capacity to make a tangible impact on housing stability for local families. By expanding our rental assistance program, we aim to stabilize housing for even more workforce families in New Hanover County. Our efforts are designed to prevent the need for relocation, allowing residents to remain in their communities and contribute to the local economy. The program provides a safety net for families facing temporary financial difficulties, helping them avoid eviction and maintain their homes. In conclusion, New HOPE CDC's RAP is a crucial component of our strategy to increase housing access in New Hanover County. By addressing the immediate financial needs of renters and preventing displacement, we are working to ensure that workforce residents can continue to live and thrive in their communities. Our program not only supports individual families but also contributes to the broader goal of maintaining a stable, vibrant, and economically healthy county. To effectively deliver our rental assistance services, New HOPE CDC will: 1. Intermittent Open Portal Application Process: Participants will apply for the program during designated open portal periods, allowing us to manage applications efficiently and ensure timely assistance. 2. Review and Approval: Applications will be reviewed and approved for the next phase by an independent risk committee made up of community citizens. The committee will use redacted applicant information to ensure impartiality and fairness. 3. Vetting for Accuracy: Approved applications will undergo a vetting process to verify the accuracy of the application details. This step ensures that all information is correct and that participants meet the program's eligibility criteria. 4. Enroll Participants: Eligible participants will be enrolled in our rental assistance program, ensuring they receive the financial support and resources they need. 5. Develop a Housing Plan: We will work with participants to create a comprehensive housing plan. This plan will identify any barriers to obtaining or maintaining stable housing and outline actionable steps to overcome these obstacles. 6. Provide Budgeting and Financial Literacy Counseling: Participants will receive counseling to help them understand and manage their finances better. This includes addressing common financial challenges, making informed financial decisions, and managing issues like overwhelming debt, poor credit, and budget deficiencies. 7. Monthly Meetings and Case Management: Participants must meet with case managers monthly and submit wage and other pertinent information to continue in the program. These mandatory meetings ensure ongoing support, monitor progress, and adjust action plans as necessary to ensure ongoing housing stability and financial well-being. The New HOPE Community Development Corporation’s Down Payment Assistance Program aims to create pathways for working-class residents in New Hanover County to achieve and sustain affordable homeownership. Rising housing costs, coupled with the increasing interest rates, have made it increasingly difficult for many families to reach this goal. Average wages for workforce populations—such as teachers, childcare workers, and firefighters—fall significantly below the income needed to afford Fair Market Rent or to purchase a home. This program provides essential financial assistance for down payments, helping bridge the gap between income levels and homeownership affordability. Our program focuses on supporting working-class homebuyers by financing a portion of the housing costs they will occupy. Specifically, the program covers necessary down payments and reasonable closing costs. By reducing these initial financial barriers, we enable more families to enter the housing market and secure stable, long-term homes. Through this targeted financial support, New HOPE CDC’s Down Payment Assistance Program directly addresses the strategic goal of increasing access to affordable homeownership. By helping working-class families overcome the significant financial hurdles ass ociated with buying a home, including rising housing costs and inflation, we foster greater economic stability and community investment within New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington. To effectively deliver our Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) services, New HOPE CDC will: 1. Application and Eligibility Assessment: Participants will apply through an intermittent open portal application process. This method allows us to manage applications efficiently and ensure timely assistance. 2. Review and Approval: Applications will be reviewed and approved by an independent risk committee made up of community citizens using redacted applicant information to ensure impartiality and fairness. 3. Vetting for Accuracy: Approved applications will undergo a vetting process to verify the accuracy of the application details, ensuring that all information is correct and participants meet the program's eligibility criteria. 4. Participant Enrollment: Eligible participants will be enrolled in our down payment assistance program, ensuring they receive the necessary financial support to move forward with their home purchase. 5. Financial Counseling and Budgeting Support: Participants will receive personalized financial counseling and budgeting support. This includes helping them manage financial challenges, improve their credit scores, and make informed financial decisions. Our goal is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed for long-term financial stability. 6. Homebuyer Education Workshops: We will offer workshops covering essential topics such as the homebuying process, understanding mortgage terms, and maintaining a home. These workshops will provide participants with the information they need to navigate the complexities of purchasing and owning a home. 7. Ongoing Support and Follow-Up Services: Throughout the homebuying process, we will provide follow-up services to support participants. This includes regular check-ins, additional counseling as needed, and assistance with any challenges that may arise. Meeting with case managers on a monthly basis is mandatory to ensure participants are on track and to provide continuous guidance. 8. Access to Additional Resources: Participants will have access to a network of community resources and support services, including legal advice, home maintenance tips, and connections to local real estate professionals. These resources will help participants make well-rounded decisions and maintain their homes successfully. By implementing these comprehensive services, New HOPE CDC’s Down Payment Assistance Program aims to increase access to affordable homeownership for workforce families. We are committed to helping participants overcome financial and logistical barriers, ultimately fostering a stable and thriving community in New Hanover County. Please describe the household/unit mix. For example, 100 units between 60-120% AMI, 10 units at or below 80%, 10 units at or below 60%, and 5 units at or below 30% The New HOPE CDC Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is designed to address a strategic mix of household income levels, ensuring broad access to affordable housing for workforce families in New Hanover County. The program will assist a total of 127 units, with the greatest concentration in the 60% to 120% Area Median Income (AMI) range. The household/unit mix is as follows: • 80 units between 60% and 120% AMI: These units are targeted at families earning between 60% and 120% of the AMI, addressing the needs of the majority of workforce families who often face challenges affording market-rate housing. • 25 units at or below 80% AMI: These units will support families earning up to 80% of the AMI, providing critical rental assistance to those slightly below the median income but still struggling with housing costs. • 22 units at or below 60% AMI: These units will be available for families earning up to 60% of the AMI, ensuring that lower-income households have access to safe and affordable housing options. By strategically distributing assistance across these income levels, New HOPE CDC looks to maximize the impact of the RAP program, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where workforce families can achieve housing stability and long-term financial security. The New HOPE CDC Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is designed to address the critical need for affordable homeownership opportunities for workforce families in New Hanover County. Given the high housing costs, which present significant barriers to hom eownership for lower AMI levels, our approach will be to assess applicants on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria, including mortgage approval and the availability of housing stock at their price point. This flexible approach ensures that we can provide targeted assistance to those most ready and able to purchase a home, while also addressing the diverse needs of families across various income levels. By not allocating funds to specific AMI ranges, we can better accommodate the varying financial situations and housing market conditions faced by our applicants. This strategy allows New HOPE CDC’s DAP program to effectively support a broad spectrum of workforce families, enabling them to overcome financial barriers and achieve stable, long-term homeownership. Describe any relevant experience with previous projects which have accepted vouchers? New HOPE CDC has extensive experience in managing programs that provide critical support to individuals and families in need of housing assistance, including those who utilize housing vouchers. Since 2021, our organization has been actively involved in the NC Healthy Opportunities Pilot as a Human Services Organization, successfully serving more than 3,500 households annually. This initiative has allowed us to develop robust systems and partnerships that enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive support to our participants. Our rental assistance program specifically offers support to eligible participants, including those with housing vouchers. We understand that many individuals in the workforce demographic often do not qualify for other forms of assistance, such as housing vouchers, making our program vital for supporting those who are eligible. By providing targeted rental assistance, we address a significant gap in resources, helping residents navigate housing challenges and maintain stability. Our experience with the NC Healthy Opportunities Pilot has equipped us with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage rental assistance programs and support participants in overcoming barriers to secure affordable housing. This experience underscores our commitment to addressing the needs of those who struggle to secure housing on their own and face challenges in accessing other types of aid. Through our dedicated efforts, we continue to play a crucial role in ensuring housing stability and improving the quality of life for workforce families in our community. Describe how WHSP funding will expand existing programs and/or projects, if applicable. Currently, the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) does not provide ongoing rental assistance. WHSP funding can significantly enhance the effectiveness of our existing Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in New Hanover County by: • Filling the Gap Between HOP and WHSP: Since our 2023 partnership, we have successfully served 72 families, demonstrating our capacity to fill the gap between the temporary support offered by HOP and the long-term rental assistance needed to ensure housing stability. WHSP funding will allow us to continue and expand this critical support. • Supporting Those Ineligible for Other Assistance: Many participants who do not qualify for Section 8 vouchers or other low-income housing programs, and those who do not earn enough to afford higher-cost rental units, will benefit from this funding. WHSP funds will provide crucial support to these individuals, ensuring they can maintain stable housing. • Enhanced Support Services: WHSP funding will enable us to expand our support services, including comprehensive financial counseling, credit repair workshops, and tenant education programs. These services will equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge for long-term financial stability and housing maintenance. • Case Management Expansion: Increasing the number of case managers with WHSP funding will allow for more personalized support and follow-up with participants. This will lead to better outcomes by providing tailored assistance and ensuring that participants meet their housing and financial goals. • Outreach and Marketing Efforts: Expanding outreach and marketing efforts using WHSP funds will help raise awareness about the RAP. This will ensure that more eligible families know about and apply for the assistance through targeted advertising campaigns, community events, and partnerships with local organizations. By providing the capacity to sustain and expand our current RAP, WHSP funding will help us make a greater impact on housing stability in New Hanover County. This support is essential for addressing the housing challenges faced by our community and ensuring that workforce families have access to safe, affordable housing. Describe how your policies and procedures give access to housing for residents with credit challenges or those who may have been involved in the justice system (or upload to the right, if applicable).* Our policies and procedures are designed to ensure that residents with credit challenges or involvement with the justice system have access to housing through the New H.O.P.E. Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP). We be lieve that past financial difficulties or legal issues should not disqualify individuals from receiving the support they need. Credit history and involvement with the legal system will not affect eligibility for the New H.O.P.E. RAP and DAP programs. We understand that many individuals face challenges such as poor credit scores or legal issues that can impact their ability to secure housing. Our programs are inclusive and accessible, ensuring that all eligible participants have the opportunity to benefit from rental and down payment assistance. In addition to providing financial aid, we offer comprehensive counseling to help participants address credit and financial challenges. This includes assistance with credit repair and financial management, empowering participants to improve their financial health and make informed decisions about their future. While we do not handle legal services in-house, we plan to refer participants needing legal support to appropriate legal service providers. This ensures that participants have access to the necessary resources to address any housing-related legal issues they may encounter. Our approach ensures that individuals are not penalized for past difficulties but are supported in achieving and maintaining secure housing. By addressing underlying issues related to credit and legal challenges, we help participants overcome barriers to housing stability and empower them to build a more secure future. Through these inclusive policies and supportive services, New H.O.P.E. is committed to providing equitable access to housing for all eligible participants, regardless of their credit history or legal background.