Primary Department: Housing and Community Development
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Thao Costis, Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): C2024-010a
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of the policy guidebook on the Harris County Single Family Acquisition & Rehabilitation First Initiative (HCSFARFI) program.
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Background and Discussion:
This program will expand access to affordable single-family homes in Harris County by acquiring and rehabilitating properties to assist eligible buyers, utilizing available CDBG (initially, program income) funds in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) rules.
The Harris County Housing Community & Development Single Family Acquisition and Rehabilitation First Initiative (HCSFARFI) will provide the community with additional affordable single-family homes through the acquisition, rehabilitation, and grant assistance to purchase homes for eligible buyers.
As a part of its mission, HCHCD is charged with the creation and preservation of affordable housing and a suitable living environment for low-income individuals within Harris County. HCHCD carries out its mission in part through the operation of HCHCD HCSFARFI. The goal of the program is to increase the number of affordable housing options in Harris County. All rehabilitation projects shall comply with Harris County’s Minimum Property Standards (MPS).
HCHCD will locate homes in Harris County that may be eligible for acquisition and rehabilitation services (excluding the City of Houston corporate limits). A Harris County housing inspector or designees will inspect the home to determine the scope and cost of improvements necessary to meet the MPS, as adopted by HCHCD HCSFARFI. Once the acquired homes have been rehabilitated, applicants may be eligible for assistance in purchasing homes.
Assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred, forgivable loan secured by a second-lien position deed of trust, with a minimum affordability period of 10 years. HCHCD is required to conduct an environmental review. The Environmental Review must be performed by HCHCD before acquisition.
Expected Impact:
This request to approve program guidelines has no immediate fiscal impact as program income use is approved separately.
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 6. Help residents achieve housing stability.
County Strategic Plan Objective: U: Build and preserve affordable housing, particularly for low-income families.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Anticipated Court Date: 11/13/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Bridgett Burnett, Project Manager, Single Family Housing Programs
Attachments (if applicable): HCD Single Family Acquisition & Rehabilitation First Initiative Guidebook