Hornell City Community Development Office

Residential Rehabilitation Program (City-wide Program)

The City of Hornell has received funding through the Small Cities Program to assist homeowners to make essential home repairs and to correct basic structural deficiencies that present health and safety hazards to the residents.  Eligible improvements include repairs to major building systems (roof, electrical, heating, plumbing) as well as code items and other necessary repairs.  The program does not provide funds for basic remodeling costs.  Priority will be given to properties in greatest need of rehabilitation. 

As part of the project, a lead based paint risk assessment will be performed.  Measures to mitigate existing lead based paint hazards will be included in the scope of work.  The program does not abate (that is, completely remove) lead based paint from the house.

The application list for the 2008 Small Cities Program is now closed and names are being accepted for a waiting list only.

Eligibility

To be qualified for this program, you must be the owner and occupant of a single family house in the City of Hornell.  Your total household income (gross income from all sources) may not exceed the income limits shown below for your household size:

Priority will be given to households that qualify as low or very-low income households.  In addition, the mortgage (if any) and property taxes for the property must be current.  Residents who are buying a house under a land contract will not be eligible for the program.

Prior Assistance

If the City of Hornell has provided rehabilitation assistance for this property within the past 15 years, the property will not be eligible for assistance under the proposed program. This condition will be imposed because of the high level of interest in the RRP and in the interests of being able to assist as many homeowners as possible throughout the City.

The Community Development staff may make exceptions to this requirement to make emergency repairs required to protect the health and safety of residents of the property. Such assistance may be provided as loan only assistance under the City's program income fund and will be limited to the emergency repairs.

Types of Assistance

Assistance under the Residential Rehabilitation Program will not exceed $24,500 per structure.  For owner occupants who qualify as low or very low income, 100 percent of the project cost up to a maximum of $24,500 will be provided as a grant.  The grant awards do not have to be repaid unless the property is sold or transferred within 5 years.  The amount to be repaid will depend on the length of time between the completion of the work and the sale or transfer of the property. 

For owner occupants who are moderate income, 75 percent of the project cost, up to a maximum of $18,375 will be provided as a grant.  The remaining project cost will be provided as a low interest loan.  Loans will be provided as an interest rate of 0 to 4 percent for terms of up to 20 years.  Interest rates below 4 percent are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the household income and need.

If the cost to bring the property up to Housing Quality Standards and address existing lead based paint hazards exceeds $24,500, the property owner will be required to provide his or her own funds or obtain other assistance to complete the project.  If the project cost exceeds $24,500 and other funding is not available, the application may be rejected.

Program Income Assistance (Loan Only)

The City has established a revolving loan fund to assist property owners to make critical repairs to their properties.  Funding under the program is extremely limited and generally available for emergency repairs only.

To be eligible, you must be the owner and occupant of a single family house in the City of Hornell.   The total annual household income (gross income) may not exceed the income limits shown under the City-wide Program for the household size.  The mortgage (if any) and property taxes for the property must be current.  Residents who are buying a house under a land contract will not be eligible for the program.

Assistance under the program income fund is provided as a low interest loan at an interest rate of 0 to 4 percent for terms of up to 20 years.  Interest rates below 4 percent are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on household income and need.

Other Housing Agencies

Other housing agencies may provide rehabilitation assistance to qualified property owners, including:

              Arbor Development                                                                 607-776-7664

              Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation                       585-657-4114

Homeowners should contact these agencies directly for information on eligibility requirements and funding availability.

Property owners who are able to obtain partial assistance from these agencies may request loan assistance under the City’s revolving loan fund for some or all of the remaining project cost.  Approval of assistance from the City will depend on the availability of funding and the nature of the repairs.  Assistance from the City program will not generally be provided for non-emergency repairs.

Homeownership Assistance Program for First-Time Homebuyers

The City’s Homeownership Assistance Program, funded under a 2001 Small Cities Program, is closed and all funding has been exhausted.

Prospective first-time homebuyers should contact Tri County Housing Council (607-562-2477) for information on homebuyers counseling classes and homeownership assistance.  The Tri County Housing Council also provides post-purchase counseling and classes. 

Economic Development Loan Program

Program Description

The Hornell Economic Development Loan Program (EDLP) provides low interest loan money to stimulate local business development opportunities. The EDLP loan funds are provided on a matching basis; previous loans have provided up to 50 to 60 percent of the cost of approved projects.

An applicant business must be able to provide private resources (bank loan, corporate, or personal assets) as its share of costs. Further, applicant businesses must be credit worthy, offer acceptable security for the loan, and document the feasibility of the project. Financial statements (corporate and/or personal) will be required, and applications will be reviewed in accordance with procedures normally followed by banking institutions to ensure sound lending practices. Cash flow projections must also be provided and will be used to justify the proposed loan terms.

Repayment from the loans will be utilized to establish a revolving loan fund that will make resources available for economic development activities in future years.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities include the acquisition and renovation of commercial/industrial property in the City and the purchase and installation of capital equipment. Small Cities resources may be used for working capital, however, this should not be a major component of the loan request. The amount of working capital must be fully justified by supporting documentation.

The allocation of public and private resources among the elements of a total project will be determined on an individual basis following a detailed analysis of the information in the application and supporting documentation. Under no circumstances will Small Cities monies be released without an expenditure of private resources.

Work in some cases can be accomplished on a "self-help" basis, but an applicant business cannot be reimbursed for any labor costs. Further, the business must agree to hold the City of Hornell harmless for any damages or injuries which result from work carried out on a "self-help" basis. Contractors hired to work on the project will be required to pay their employees not less than the prevailing Federal wage rates.

Basic Requirements

Renovation work must be constructed in compliance with all local codes and regulations. All permits must be obtained and filed with the Program Administrator prior to the execution of the Loan and Security Agreement for the EDLP loan.

Any building determined to be historically significant by the State Historic Preservation Officer must be renovated in compliance with applicable standards.

No loan funds will be awarded to a business if mortgage payments, property taxes or water and/or sewer charges are delinquent.

All contractors participating in the program must be insured at levels acceptable to the City.

Applicant must agree to comply with all requirements established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including: Federal floodplain and wetlands guidelines; lead-based paint restrictions; and, conflict of interest provisions.

All applicants must submit a standard application form, agree to provide all information requested, certify as to the accuracy of the information, and complete an affidavit. The financial information of individuals will be kept confidential.

Interest Rates and Terms

The interest rate for this program is 6% but can be negotiated.

Loan Terms

The interest rate and term of the EDLP loan is negotiated with each applicant, based on the nature of the project and the financial projections. The loan terms, and the need for EDLP assistance, may be justified in one of the following ways:

1. Financial Gap - The amount of funding that the firm can raise is only a portion of the debt and equity funds necessary to complete the project. EDLP funds may be requested to fill this gap. In this case, the EDLP loan terms should be comparable to the terms available on the private sector debt committed to the project.
2. Rate of Return (ROR) - The firm may be able to raise sufficient debt and equity to complete the project, however, the returns to the firm are inadequate to motivate the firm to proceed with the project, i.e., the project risks outweigh the rewards. In this case, the firm may request a subsidized or below market interest rate or other favorable loan terms in order to provide a reasonable rate of return on the invested equity. Firms requesting EDLP loans based on Rate of Return considerations must provide financial projections to justify this request.

The applicant may request loan terms based upon other considerations, provided that the request is fully supported by financial data and other project information. The City will evaluate such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Supporting Documentation

The applicant must provide documentation to support the EDLP loan request, including:

1. A detailed description of the project, including a project schedule and maps or drawings as appropriate.
2. Third party documentation of all project costs.
3. A project budget showing the proposed sources and uses for all project funds.
4. Letters from all other financing sources, discussing the terms of the proposed financing and the current status of the application for funding.
5. Historical financial data of the firm, if available. (Financial information will be kept confidential).
6. A two to five year cash flow pro-forma with accompanying notes citing basic assumptions.
7. An analysis of the market and other data to support the project.
8. A discussion of all appropriate feasibility issues such as site control, zoning, public approvals and permits, corporate authorizations, infrastructure, environment and relocation.
9. An explanation of the collateral available to secure the EDLP loan.
10. A personal financial statement for each principal of the business.

Additional information may be requested upon the review of the application by the City.

Contact Information

If you are interested in this program, please contact the Community Development Office located at City Hall by calling Kathleen Dear or Cindy Burdell at (607) 324-7421.