Opinion

OUR OPINION: Homeownership

September 25, 2009

Widely promote housing program

IF BUYING A home in Luzerne County, you might be eligible to receive up to $7,500 for the down payment and/or closing costs.

That’s not a loan. It’s essentially free money – part of a grand incentive to help more people achieve the American dream of homeownership, which, in turn, can pay dividends in the form of more stable families and stronger communities.

Not a bad deal, eh? But, who knew?

Apparently the answer is this: Not enough of the people who are house hunting in Luzerne County. A Housing Trust Fund, established in 2002, has amassed millions of dollars because requests for the cash haven’t kept up with the fees collected. Every time a mortgage or deed is recorded in the county, $13 of the fee is added to the pot.

As of earlier this week, the fund held about $2.8 million.

Yes, certain readers might argue this program should not exist, suggesting it goes beyond the proper role of government. Other readers might take umbrage that some money from the fund, rather than be given directly to first-time home buyers, has been disbursed to the nonprofit Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity to support its mission of providing affordable, local housing.

But the overriding issue is this: If Luzerne County chooses to run what appears to be a beneficial program, one with ample cash available to help people, it should have a plan in place to let people know about it.

Is it possible for the county’s Community Development Office to partner with real estate agents to consistently send the message? Has it been tried? Has word been spread far and wide to people who never even broached the possibility of buying a home?

Might a building supply store chip in to cover expenses for a sustained marketing campaign? How about home builders? Mortgage companies?

Could an area civic club or service group take on this project, helping to develop an effective public relations blitz for the little-known Growing Homeowners Initiative? Can the program be touted more prominently on the county’s Web site?

If nothing else, why doesn’t someone associated with the program occasionally write a few specifics about it and submit letters to the editor of the local newspaper?

It’s a start. And it’s free.

There is, of course, another option that could prevent the Housing Trust Fund from accumulating a huge surplus: Reduce the fee.

Home buying help

• Get information on Luzerne County’s Growing Homeowners Initiative by calling these numbers: in Greater Wilkes-Barre, 824-4803; and in the Hazleton area, 501-1030.

• Participants must meet income guidelines. Maximum income for a single person is $39,600 per year. Maximum income for a family of four is $56,600 annually. Participants also must meet other eligibility requirements, including attendance at three or more homeowner-readiness workshops and the establishment of a special savings account. The county provides $2 for every $1 provided by prospective home buyers.

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