Downpayment Assistance | Residential Rehabilitation | Fair Rent | Code Enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions about the Downpayment Assistance Program
Q: Is this a grant or a loan? Will I have to pay any money back?
A: The grant is a second mortgage (5) year declining lien, forgiven annually at a rate of twenty percent (20%) of the original amount. At the end of five years the lien is forgiven entirely if the applicant occupies the property as his/her primary residence.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for this program?
A: There are income guidelines which the applicant has to meet. The applicant must be current on all taxes including motor vehicles registered in the Town of Hamden.
Q: Can I purchase a home anywhere in town?
A: The Grant is a Community Development Block Grant therefore the home would need to be purchase in one of the three (3) designated target areas. Census Tract #1655 - Highwood, Census Tract # 1656 - Hamden Plains, and the State Street Neighborhood Revitalization Zone. A listing of specific street is included with the program guidelines and application.
Q: Will the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development help me find a home?
A: No, you will need to contact a real estate agent to assist in finding a home. If you do not already have a real estate agent, your mortgage lender may be able to recommend one.
Q: Can I purchase any type of home?
A: To qualify for the program you must purchase a detached single family or two to four-family dwelling. Investment properties are not eligible for assistance.
Q: Do I need to be a Hamden resident to apply?
A: No.
Q: When looking at houses, is there anything I specific I should consider?
When looking at houses, in addition to ensuring that they are in the target zone, you should consider the condition of the interior and exterior painted surfaces. All homes purchased with these funds must pass an inspection by a certified lead inspector, and any peeling, chipped, chalking, or otherwise damaged painted surfaces will cause the house to fail inspection until those defects are fixed. Click here to learn more about how to protect your family from lead.
Q: How can I find out more information and/or get an application for the Hamden First-Time Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program?
A: You can contact the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development at 203-776-5978 or stop by the office located at the Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine Street, Hamden, CT 06514.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Residential Rehabilitation Programs
Q: Is this a grant or a loan? Will I have to pay any money back?
A: The grant is a second mortgage (5) year declining lien, forgiven annually at a rate of twenty percent (20%) of the original amount. At the end of five years the lien is forgiven entirely.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for these programs?
A: There are income guidelines which the applicant has to meet. The applicant must be current on all taxes including motor vehicles registered in the Town of Hamden. For any non-emergency repairs, the home must be within one of Hamden's Community Development Target Districts. Participating homes must be one- to four-family detached structures.
Q: What kind of work can I do on my home with these programs?
A: OHND is permitted to assist in rehabilitation of existing structures, but is not permitted to assist with remodeling or new additions. Typical rehabilitation work includes roof repair, window replacement, painting, furnace replacement, and porch repair.
Q: How can I find out more information and/or get an application for the Residential Rehabilitation Program?
A: You can contact the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development at 203-776-5978 or stop by the office located at the Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine Street, Hamden, CT 06514.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fair Rent
Q: Does OHND handle Section 8 rental issues?
A: No, you should contact the Hamden Housing Authority for Section 8-related issues.
Q: How do I get my security deposit returned to me when I move?
A: You must leave a forwarding address with the landlord. The landlord then has 30 days to return the security deposit minus any damages to then property beyond normal wear. The Connecticut Banking Department (Security Deposit Department) handles all security deposit complaints. You can reach that office at 1-800-831-7225.
Q: How do I get the landlord to make repairs?
A: The Code Enforcement Officer from the office of Housing and Community Development can make an inspection within target areas. The Quinnipiac Valley Health District can inspect other areas outside the Code Enforcement Officer's jurisdiction. The landlord will be ordered to make the necessary repairs in a reasonable amount of time.
Q: How much rent increase is too much?
A: There is no amount set by law as long as it is within the Fair Market Rent value. However, if you feel the rent increase is too much, you have the right to file a fair rent complaint with the Fair Rent Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Code Enforcement
Q: When should the heat be on in the winter?
A: In the winter the temperature should be at least 65 degrees (F) inside.
Q: I have no heat, what should I do?
A: During the day, call the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, or the Code Enforcement Officer. After hours, weekends and holidays, call the Hamden Police Department.
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