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CR 93-47 MHFA Participation Program '\ 1 y 0 \ V ~ '. ;'>>'<- .:ea: ;- . o p ~ Mafch 30, 1993 K \ Council Report 93-47 ~ APPLICATION FOR THE MHFA MINNESOTA CITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM Proposed Action Staff recommends approval of the following motion: Approve submission of an application for the Minnesota city Participation Proqram. with approval of this action the application will be submitted to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for their review and approval. Overview The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) is soliciting applications for participation in the Minnesota city Participation Program (MCPP), a mortgage program for first-time home buyers. This program allows the MHFA to sell mortgage revenue bonds on behalf of participating cities. The proceeds of these bonds are used to provide below market interest rate home mortgage loans to low and moderate income first- time homebuyers. The city is required to submit a 1% refundable deposit with its application. The deposit will be refunded upon the sale of the . mortgage revenue bonds, estimated to occur sometime this spring/summer. Additionally, the City must pay a non-refundable processing fee of $300.00 (based on an allocation of $1,600,000.). The city has participated in this program in 1991 and 1992, and has had moderate success. In the 1992 program, there were five loans made with MCPP funds, totaling $324,000 out of a total allocation of $1,174,863. Staff is recommending that the City apply for $1,600,000. in 1993 MCPP funds. primary Issues to Consider o What is the purpose of the program? o What services will be performed on behalf of the City? o What is the cost to the city for participating in program? o What are the requirements of the program? o What is the basis for the amount of the city's request? o Who will serve as the City's lender? Supportinq Information o Application for the Minnesota City Participation Program erum, Housing Coordinator ( -- , . A MCPP Application Rpt. 93-47 ~ page 2 primary Issues to consider o What is the purpose of the program? The primary objective of the MCPP is to provide affordable mortgage financing for low and moderate income homebuyers through the issuance of mortgage revenue bonds. Through the MCPP, the City receives a "set-aside" of funds to be used to make loans in Hopkins. The lower interest rate of these funds attracts home buyers to Hopkins and makes their housing more affordable. o What services will be performed on behalf of the city? The following are the benefits of participating in the Minnesota City Participation Program: o MHFA will provide administrative support for both the bond sale and the operation of the program o MHFA will incur the expenses associated with the issuance of the bond . o MHFA will assist in marketing each city's program o Local lender(s) take the applicationsfor.the program and originate the mortgage loans o Mortgage loan funds are available to eligible applicants at 1 1/2 to 2% below market mortgage interest rates o Only participating cities will have access to MHFA's Homeownership Assistance Fund which provides monthly payment and entry cost assistance to lower income applicants. o What is the cost to the city for participating in the program? To apply for the funds, a refundable deposit equal to 1% of its requested allocation must be submitted along with the application. Based on a requested amount of $1.6 million, the required deposit would be $16,000. The deposit must accompany the application but will be refunded upon the sale of the mortgage revenue bonds. Additionally, a processing fee must be paid prior to the bonds being sold. The fee is based on the final allocation and is anticipated to be $300. The 1% deposit and processing fee would be taken from the Economic Development Fund. o What are the requirements of the program? ~ Borrower Eligibility: o Must be a first-time home buyer defined as not having had an ownership interest in a principal residence for the past 3 years . .- MCPP Rpt. 93-47 ~ Page 3 o Must occupy .home within 60 days o "Adjusted" gross income must not exceed $40,800 per year. The most common adjustment for income would be $1000 per family member so that a family of four could actually gross $44,800 and still qualify for the loan funds. Property Requirements: o Properties must be existing one-family homes, townhomes or condominiums (some duplexes may also be eligible) o Residence must be in good repair and meet usual mortgage underwriting requirements o Property must not exceed the MHFA Acquisition Cost Limits of $85,000 for a one-family home These are the minimum requirements for eligible properties. The City has the ability to further "target" properties or eligible participants by incorporating additional restrictions such as targeted population groups (i.e. minorities, handicapped, elderly), specific program boundaries, etc. . . Staff recommends that the City propose to use the minimum requirements (and the maximum income limits) allowed II by MHFA to make the funds available to as many individuals or families as possible. o What is the basis for the amount of the City's request? From October 1991 to September 1992, there were 57 single family homes in Hopkins which sold for $85,000 or less. There were an additional 49 condominiums and townhomes which sold for this amount. Based on these figures staff is recommending that the City request $1.6 million to finance the purchase of 20 homes (approximately 20% of the eligible properties). Although the recommended request is substantially more than what has been expended through this program in previous years, staff contends that it is a reasonable request. Furthermore, the actual allocation will most likely be reduced due to limited bond funds. Under the guidelines of the program, a city must apply for at least $250,000 and not more than $4 million. o Who will serve as the city's lender? Norwest Mortgage has agreed to participate in this program as a local lender as they have the past two years. . Under the guidelines of the program, cities may select one or more ~ s~ec~fic l7nders to deliver their program or may specify all lenders w1t~1n the1r area that are under contract with MHFA to provide program del1very. However, the application must identify one lender and . -. MCPP Rpt. 93-47 Page 4 include a letter of intent from that lending institution. Norwest will be forwarding a letter of intent to participate which will be included in the application but staff is recommending to also allow any participating lender to make loans under our program. Alternatives The Council has the following alternatives regarding this issue: o Approve the application as recommended by staff. o Amend the application to further "target" the program, to request more or less funds, or make other eligible alterations. o Decide that they do not wish to participate in the MCPP and reject the application. . ......... - < .. ." .. . APPLICATION FOR FUNDING MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE .AGENCY 1993 MINNESOTA CITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM (MCPP) ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION Name and address of organization: City of Hopkins 1010 First street South Hopkins, Minnesota 55343 Name and phone number of contact person: Kersten Elverum, Housing Coordinator #935-8474 Type of Organization: City Amount of funds requested and estimated number of loans to be provided: $1,600,000.00;20 loans . Balance of unused Mortgage Revenue Bond or Mortgage Credit Certificate resources still available in Hopkins (non-MHFA): None ORIGINATING LENDER Norwest Mortgage 1011 South First Street Hopkins, MN 55343 HOUSING PLAN See Attached PROGRAM SPECIFICS How the program fits into the comprehensive housing plan: The city of Hopkins, through the MCPP will provide assistance to low to moderate income first-time homebuyers to purchase a home in Hopkins. This help meet the need for such assistance, as identified in the comprehensive housing plan. . The program will also help to keep the overall housing market strong in Hopkins by linking eligible properties to interested buyers and then making the purchase of those homes possible. .~. . _c _._~. -~.' . ~-"--~ .,,---_._~ .....-. . ,. - ..... Borrower income limits: - 80% of HUD median family income for the Twin cities MSA,currently at $40,800. Home purchase price limits: The home purchase price limit for the Hopkins' program may not exceed the MHFA price limit, currently set at $85,000. Targeting of specific population groups: The city of Hopkins will not target any specific population group for the Minnesota city Participation funds. Targeting of area or housing stock: The city of Hopkins will not target an area or specific housing stock for inclusion in the Minnesota city Participation Program. optional program enhancements: None. . Schedule for release of funds: Immediate. Why this program is a good candidate for funding: The Minnesota city Participation Program is designed to assist low to moderate income first- time homebuyers in the purchase of their first home. Hopkins is an ideal community for this type of program due to several factors. First, the single-family housing stock is largely made up of "starter homes" which by value are the types of properties which qualify for financing through this program. The city also has a significant number of condominiums and townhomes (over 15% of the housing stock). Secondly, the city of Hopkins has a lower than average median income which indicates a greater number of residents who would qualify for the loan program. Additionally, the city has the highest percentage of residents in the 19-29 year old age group, according to the 1990 Hennepin County census. . Typically, this is the age group which contains the most first-time homebuyers. . .~ ,< ... . ,/~ ./ ECONOMIC VIABILITY Real estate sales over the past year: During the period from October 1991 to September 1992 there were a total of 57 single family homes which sold in Hopkins for $85,000 and under. There were an additional 49 condominium and townhomes which sold in this price range. Combined there were a total of 106 homes sold in Hopkins which would potentially qualify for the proposed program. U. S. Census Data: According to the 1990 census, the median value of single family homes in Hopkins is $86,700, just slightly above the maximum purchase price allowed under the proposed program. This data indicates that there is an ample supply of properties which would be eligible under the proposed program. NEW CONSTRUCTION REOUIREMENTS . There will be no new construction under the City of Hopkins program. SIGNATURES The information herein is true and correct based on normal and prudent business inquiry. Nelson W. Berg Date Mayor .