Title
a. Approve assignment of Monterey County's 2014 allocation from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) to CRHMFA (California Rural Homebuyers Fund Authority) Homebuyers Fund (CHF) for inclusion in their Mortgage Revenue Bond financing for the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program and authorizing and consenting to all CHF 2014 and 2015 Programs; and
b. Authorize the Economic Development Director to send a letter to the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee requesting the assignment and certifying that the use is consistent with the County's adopted Housing Element.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve assignment of Monterey County's 2014 allocation from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) to CRHMFA (California Rural Homebuyers Fund Authority) Homebuyers Fund (CHF) for inclusion in their Mortgage Revenue Bond financing for the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program and authorizing and consenting to all CHF 2014 and 2015 Programs; and
b. Authorize the Economic Development Director to send a letter to the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee requesting the assignment and certifying that the use is consistent with the County's adopted Housing Element.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey became a member of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with CRHMFA Homebuyers Fund (CHF) in 1996. Since 1998, the County has assigned its California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) allocation to CHF. In that time, a total of 400 families have received assistance with homeownership through the CHF. In September of 2011, CHF instituted the MCC program in Monterey County. To date, two households have been assisted with MCCs and 26 have been assisted with down payment and/or closing cost loans and grants. The current allocation from CDLAC is $3,335,041. By assigning the County's allocation to CHF, the County assists Monterey County residents to benefit from programs offered and administered by CHF.
DISCUSSION:
CHF is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) serving both rural and urban Californians since 1993. Currently, there are 31 California counties that are Members and another 23 counties and cities that are Associate Members. Monterey County has been a Member since 1996. Membership in CHF has many advantages for individual counties, the most important having to do with the assignment/transfer of all, or a portion of, the county's state allocated funds for single-family housing initiatives to CHF.
Since 1993, CHF has offered mortgage loan programs featuring low interest rates and down payment and/or closing cost assistance in a variety of forms to low-to-moderate income individuals and families in California. Recently, CHF expanded to also provide competitive financing and grants to homeowners interested in making energy efficiency improvements to their home as part of the CHF Residential Energy Retrofit Program <http://www.chfloan.org/Programs/Energy/energy_program.html>.
CHF loan programs are designed to provide affordability as well as down payment and/or closing assistance to eligible homebuyers in California. The most sought after are the tax-exempt bond programs which often feature below-market interest rates and grants. CHF's tax-exempt bond programs are offered exclusively to the CHF Member and Associate Member counties and cities that assign all, or a portion of, their state allocation to CHF.
Assignment of the County's Allocation to CHF can result in highly successful homeownership programs for county citizens. Each year, the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) distributes the federal government's private activity bond allocation throughout the state. One of CDLAC's priorities in the annual allocation process is to promote housing for low to moderate income families and individuals. A percentage of the annual state debt ceiling is reserved for Single Family Housing ($300 million for 2014). Typically, half of the reserve is awarded to the state housing agency (CalHFA) while the remaining is distributed to each county and some cities on a per capita basis and made available through an application process. Counties apply for the funds and stipulate how they will use the funds to support single-family housing initiatives.
Applicants must demonstrate ability to use the allocation within the time frame required and for the purposes of issuing either Mortgage Revenue Bonds or Mortgage Credit Certificates or both. The MCC Program is especially desirable as it provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to first-time homebuyers while also helping them qualify for a mortgage loan. CHF's affiliate housing entity National Homebuyers Fund, Inc. (NHF) administers the MCC program for CHF which results in a savings to the county in both time and resources.
CHF's has extensive experience issuing both taxable and tax-exempt bonds which is invaluable to counties. CHF combines the assigned allocations to take advantage of competitive pricing when issuing bonds. CHF also covers the costs associated with bond issuance and program development which eliminates a significant cost to the participating jurisdiction.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
In other counties, the Housing Authority may administer the MCC program. We have discussed that option with the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey. At this time, the Housing Authority supports the recommended action.
FINANCING:
There is no impact on the General Fund.
Prepared by: ______________________________
Jane Royer Barr, 755-5389
Housing Program Manager
Approved by: _____________________________
David Spaur 755-5387
Economic Development Director
Attachments: Letter of Assignment of County's 2014 CDAC Allocation
Attachment K: Housing Element Certification form