The Office of Housing has designed a first-time homebuyer’s education program that provides an in depth overview of the home buying process.  Classes are featured in two, four-hour long sessions and are generally conducted on Saturdays.  Topics of discussion typically include: A guide to homeownership; obtaining a mortgage and the various types of loan products; understanding credit and what lenders look for; shopping for a home; what to expect in a home inspection; understanding the aspects of a real estate closing.  These topics are usually led by volunteer guess-presenters of the subjects.  The course is free to the public and offered several times throughout the year.  All first-time homebuyers seeking downpayment and closing cost assistance must complete a certified homebuyer education class.

Contact the Office of Housing to register for any scheduled classes at (413) 787-6500. 

Just as access to homeownership has impediments for many aspiring to own their first home, so are those that that exist for current homeowners that desire to maintain their homes in a safe, decent and sanitary manner.  An obstacle for existing homeowners is the age of the home, particularly, in neighborhoods and communities determined to be low to moderate-income.  The breadth of repairs needed to maintain or bring the property up to appropriate housing quality standards (HQS) is beyond the means for many households within this income category; presenting yet another obstacle to home ownership that is affordable and sustainable.  Lastly, the potential threat of lead-based paint hazards present in most homes built prior to 1978 is another.  The City of Springfield, in conjunction with other public and private-sector partners, endeavors to help ameliorate these conditions by helping to improve the quality and safety of housing for existing homeowners. 

The City of Springfield, through the Office of Housing, has created a Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP), using the standards set by the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership programs.  The HRLP program will provide financial assistance in the amount of $45,000 and will include technical assistance; interest bearing and non-interest bearing loans, as well as deferred payment loans to assist eligible low and moderate-income households within the City of Springfield.  It is designed to help meet the financing needs of Springfield homeowners interested in making needed repairs to their homes, in particular, those who may fall short of meeting the required guidelines established by traditional lending sources.  Households interested in the program must first meet these requirements:

A.     The home must be the owner’s principal residence and the applicant may not own other real estate.

B.     Owner-occupancy must be established for a minimum of three (3) years.

C.     Household income may not exceed 80% of the area median income.

D.     Title to the property may not have liens other than a first and/or second mortgage. 

E.      The appraised value may not exceed 95% of the FHA 203(b) maximum mortgage limits.  

F.      All property taxes, fees, fines or municipal liens must be current. 

G.     Satisfy HUD’S minimum Housing Quality Standards (HQS), along with state, local zoning and building code requirements upon completion of project.

H.     Grant to value ratio may not exceed 120 percent of the property’s established after-rehab value.

Please contact the Office of Housing at (413) 787-6500 for more information on how you may qualify.

The City of Springfield is aware that some homes may contain heating systems that are outdated and inefficient in their ability to sufficiently meet the heating needs of a family’s household.  Consequently, these factors can prove to be a financial burden as well as a threat to the safety of the property; ultimately effecting a homeowner’s ability to afford or maintain the home.  As a result, the Office of Housing, in conjunction with the New England Farm Workers’ Council, offers the Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Tasks Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP) to income-eligible homeowners..

HEARTWAP is designed to provide emergency heating system repair; pay for the cost of an annul inspection of a fuel burning system; or pay for the replacement of the system, if needed.  The program is intended to assist homeowner’s whose household income does not exceed 60% of the area median income.  Households interested in the program must first contact the New England Farm Workers’ Council.  Once approved, the Office of Housing will coordinate the delivery of this service.  All work is performed by a licensed and insured heating contractor.

To learn more about this program, please contact the New England Farm Worker’s at (413) 272-2209, or the Office of Housing at (413) 787-6500.