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HomeMy WebLinkAboutubi_2009_febCity Offers Affordable Housing Assistance CITY OF COLLEGE STATION come limits for resident households to be eligible for these programs: In Home Income Limit 1 persons $31,250 2 persons $35,700 3 persons $40,200 4 persons $44,650 5 persons $48,200 6 persons $51,800 7 persons $55,350 8 persons $58,950 Down Payment Assistance If you are considering purchasing a home within the College Station city limits, you intend to occupy that home as your principal residence for at least 5 years, and your income meets the eligibility criteria, then you might qualify for this program. It offers a deferred loan of up to 10% of the purchase price, with a maximum of $10,000 for households of 1-4 per- sons, or up to $14,999 for households Inside College Station From the City of College Station, Home of Texas A&M University • College Station, Texas Now may be the best time ever to consider purchasing or improving your home. Interest rates are some of the lowest in history, which will help eligible lower-income residents take advantage of programs that will allow them to invest in a home. Owner-occupied home investment is still considered one of the best invest- ments for households planning to re- main in the home at least 5 years. College Station’s Economic and Com- munity Development Department of- fers programs to assist lower-income families with owner occupied homes in College Station. The department is offering the following programs to eli- gible residents, including eligible City of College Station employees: 1) Down Payment Assistance 2) Reconstruction, Rehabilitation or Minor Repair Assistance Below are the maximum allowable in- of five or more persons or for select new homes sponsored by the City of College Station. Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Minor Repair Assistance Reconstruction assistance includes up to an $85,000 maximum recon- struction cost. For households with five members or more, or with handi- capped or special needs there is an additional $5,000 available. Rehabilitation assistance offers up to $35,000 maximum to rehab owner-oc- cupied homes. The additional $5,000 is also available for this program as in the reconstructions assistance. Minor repair assistance is also avail- able for up to $3,000 on owner-oc- cupied homes that require necessary but minor repairs. This assistance is provided in the form of a grant requir- ing no repayment. This might be used to replace an air conditioner, heater, plumbing or other function necessary for safe living conditions. If you are the employer or acquain- tance of someone you might benefit from these programs, please make them aware of these possibilities. If you are interested in one of these programs for your own family, please contact the College Station Economic and Community Development Depart- ment at 979-764-3778. Go to the de- partment website at www.cstx.gov. For more about affordable Housing Assistance, go to: www.cstx.gov/housingassistance February 2009 BEFORE BEFOREAFTERBEFORE 3-ton central air conditioning system in the summer months. College Station Utilities offers cash rebates to single family residential customers who install complete system 14 SEER or greater central air conditioners, air-to-air heat pumps, or geothermal heat pumps in existing local homes. Replacement systems must be sized no more than 12,000 BTU’s (1-Ton) for every 500 square feet of conditioned space. For more information, call College Station Utilities at 979-764-3724 or go online to www.cstx.gov/utilities. NOTICE TO ALL COLLEGE STATION LANDLORDS Rental Registration Begins March 1. The City of College Station will begin registering all rental properties that are Single Family and Duplex Dwelling Units on March 1, 2009. The fee will be $15 annually, property owners will be required to identify a local point of contact, and will have 90 days to voluntarily apply. Applications may be completed online at www.cstx.gov/rentalregistration, via postal service, or by walk-in to the Planning and Development Office. Questions and answers will be handled by phone at 979-764-3570 or by email at rentalregistration@cstx.gov. This program was adopted by the City Council on December 16, 2008 under ordinance #3151, Chapter 4, Business Regulations. Failure to comply is a violation of City Code. to save landfill space and encourage recycling. To learn more, call 979-764- 6299 or go to www.cstx.gov/recycle. Warrant Amnesty ––––––– In an effort to clear thousands of outstanding warrants totaling millions of dollars from the City of College Station and Brazos County offices, a warrant amnesty period has been scheduled for February 16-27. The amnesty period allows citizens with outstanding warrants to avoid paying a $50 (per case) warrant fee if fines are paid in full. Following the warrant amnesty period, there will be a warrant round-up March 2-13. Citizens uncertain whether they have outstanding warrants should contact the court where they think a case may exist. The College Station Municipal Court number is 979-764-3683. Get Paid to Save Energy –– Did you know that your central air conditioning system is one of the largest energy consumers in your home? By replacing your central system with a high- efficiency unit, you can cut costs and get cash back from College Station Utilities. Air conditioner efficiencies are based on SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) value. The higher the SEER value, the more efficiently the unit operates. See below how SEER can affect a typical CITY OF COLLEGE ST A TION INSIDE COLLEGE STATION FEBRUARY 2009 • PAGE 2 Wind Watts Sponsors Aggie Men’s Basketball –––––––– The City of College Station and Wind Watts energy program were the official sponsors of the Aggie-Baylor Men’s Basketball game at Reed Arena on January 14. City officials took part in halftime activities by participating in a dance contest and promoting Wind Watts by giving T-shirts to all dancers. For more information on Wind Watts, go to www.cstx.gov/ucs. Christmas Tree Recycling –– As part of its Green College Station campaign, the City hosted a tree recycling event at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park, January 10, in an effort Looking to save money, save energy, and get paid for doing it? Get Energy Back II ! Did you know that your central air conditioning system is probably the biggest user of energy in your home and can account for as much as 50% of your summer electric bill? By replacing your central system with a higher efficiency unit, you can cut that cost dramatically, be more comfortable, and get a cash rebate from College Station Utilities. Air conditioner efficiencies are based on SEER value, (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the SEER value, the more efficiently the unit operates which in turn uses less energy and saves you money. This graph demonstrates how the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) can affect a typical 3- ton central air conditioning system during summer operation. College Station Utilities offers cash rebates to single family residential customers who install complete system 14 SEER or greater central air conditioners, air to air heat pumps, or geothermal heat pumps in existing homes. Replacement systems must be sized no more than 12,000 BTU’s (1 Ton) for every 500 square feet of conditioned space. For more information contact College Station Utilities at 979-764-3724 or go online to www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=808 for Energy Back II qualification requirements and rebate information. Air Conditioning Summer Operating Cost Building Relationships On December 19, Mayor Ben White and staff visited the Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek and Lawyers Title Company building sites to tour projects in progress and visit with contractors. The new program called Building Relationships aims to improve communication between local builders and City staff. For more information, call Chris Haver at 979-764-6254.