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The staff of the Saginaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission administers several housing rehabilitation assistance programs for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). These programs are available to low income residents of Saginaw County excluding the City of Saginaw and Buena Vista Charter Township, as they administer their own housing rehabilitation programs. The following MSHDA programs allow homes to be brought up to HQS (Housing Quality Standards) which could include installing insulation and an energy-efficient furnace, paint, new siding, roof repair, installing new windows, new plumbing, kitchen or bathroom remodeling and upgrading electrical wiring.

MSHDA Home Program
The HOME program provides up to $25,000 for housing rehabilitation, also in the form of a deferred loan or a principal reduction for a PIP loan. The home is mortgaged and funds must be repaid in full when the property is sold, transferred or no longer occupied by borrower or death of borrower. Recipients will sign a mortgage and promissory note to the County of Saginaw for the amount of the deferred loan.

HOME funds may also be packaged as a combination of deferred principle reduction loan and zero interest payable loan. This arrangement is available only as a last resort if all other loan sources turn down the applicant. The $25,000 limit for total HOME funds will apply. Both loans require a mortgage.

A 100% Deferred loan only can be granted for households at or below 50% of the (AMI) Area Median Income. The graduated repayment scale is as follows:

50% AMI = 100% of total loan repayable monthly payments
60% AMI = 10% of total loan repayable monthly payments
70% AMI = 20% of total loan repayable monthly payments
80% AMI = 30% of total loan repayable monthly payments

Property Improvement Program (PIP)
The MSHDA Property Improvement Loan Program is designed to provide lower rate repayable for residential property improvements. These loans are originated by local participating community agencies and/or lenders and are purchased and serviced by MSHDA.

A borrower may make application directly to a participating lending institution. The lender originates the loan following the steps outline in this Guide and then forwards the loan to MSHDA for commitment. Loans are made available throughout the lending institution's normal lending territory.

An additional option allows the borrower to apply through Saginaw County. The County may also assist the lender in making loans by publicizing the program, screening applicants, and performing other tasks as mutually agreed upon. The lender makes the preliminary lending decision and forwards the loan package to MSHDA for commitment prior to closing.

Replacement Housing Program (RHP)
The MSHDA RHP Program is available for replacement housing only. RHP and PIP will share the same income limits and interest rates.

The term for most loans will continue to be 30 years, but, in extraordinary circumstances (housing cost exceeding 29% of gross monthly income but a very good credit risk, etc.), it may be extended up to 40 years.

For those households with income exceeding 80% of the county median income, the maximum project cost will be $99,000 which can include a garage and basement.

Project cost for households at 80% of median or less cannot exceed $60,000 except that an additional $5,000 could be available for the installation of a full basement or the purchase of a unit with an additional bedroom due to larger family size. Loans for these households will be subsidized with MSHDA HOME funds.

The debt to income ratio limit (including RHP payment) will not exceed 55%.
Liquid assets above $10,000 will be used to reduce the amount borrowed.

Below are the homes that were rehabilitated through the Michigan State Housing Authority (Saginaw County Housing Rehabilitation Program) by Commission district.

Saginaw County rehabilitates homes throughout the County, excluding the City of Saginaw and Buena Vista Charter Township as they have their own Housing Rehabilitation Programs.

Housing Funding 1993-2000 YTD

Grand Total to Local Economy since 1993: $2,007,603.80

* Leveraging funds from other programs or organizations.

INCOME LIMITS
Each of the programs listed above has income limits and other restrictions. The following table lists income range a household can have for each program. Contact Eddie Patrick or Laura McClean (989) 797-6800 to find out about further eligibility requirements and program specifics.

*    For Income Limits by Household size, see next table
**   Total HOME Funds for one homeowner: $25,000 Maximum
***  Balance of Project cost may be provided from any other source obtained by       homeowner and deposited with Saginaw County Funds prior to signing of       construction contract