On November 11, 2016, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation notified the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) that additional funds in the amount of $33,330 are available to the City of Orlando. This funding is made available from the Foreclosure Counseling Program and will be considered as part of the City’s 2016-2017 SHIP allocation. The additional funds are to be specifically dedicated for the purpose of providing housing counseling services for the following activities only:

·         First-time homebuyer counseling

·         Foreclosure prevention counseling

·         Financial coaching

·         Financial management education

·         Extended financial management

The City of Orlando’s current 2015-2018 Amended Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) includes a first-time homebuyer strategy which incorporates funding for required pre-purchase counseling. If these funds are accepted, they will be utilized in conjunction with this strategy for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

The HCD request City Council accept these funds and authorize the Mayor to sign the attached “Housing Counseling Funding Certification and Request” form.

Staff requests City Council accept the additional funds to provide housing counseling services and authorize the Mayor to sign the attached “Housing Counseling Funding Certification and Request” form.