Housing Authority of the City of Longview

SHARE
Homeownership Program

Longview Housing Authority (LHA), in partnership with cities, businesses and agencies in Cowlitz and Lewis counties is assisting low-income families in obtaining homeownership counseling, down payment and closing cost assistance, and help in purchasing and rehabilitating existing housing stock.

Families participating in the program will also be investing their own time and labor in rehabilitating their homes, thus encouraging an on-going commitment to maintaining their homes and investing in their community.

Eligibility Requirements

Participation in the SHARE Home-ownership Program is voluntary and each participant must meet the following eligibility requirements;

1. Low Income Family
Homeowners are required to verify that their income meets low income limits as set forth by HUD (80% of Median Income).

2. First-time Homeowner
A "first-time homeowner" means that no member of the household has had an ownership interest in any residence during the three years preceding commencement of home ownership assistance. However, a single parent or displaced homemaker who, while married, owned a home with a spouse (or resided in a home owned by a spouse) is considered a "first-time homeowner".

3. Time Commitment of Three Building Partners
Each family must have three building partners that will commit to meeting the weekly building requirements. A minimum of 30 hours per family will be required per week (with the two partners required to contribute a minimum of 15 hr/week and friends, family, or others contributing the balance).

4. Purchase a Home in Cowlitz or Lewis Counties
All homes must be located in the jurisdiction for which the funding was given, within the cities along the I-5 corridor from Longview/Kelso to Centralia.

5. Down Payment
At a minimum, the participant is required to provide $750 as a down payment which must come from the family’s personal resources (i.e. savings, IDA account, or FSS Escrow).


Program Advantages

When you become a participant in the SHARE Homeownership Program, you can expect:

• Increased Buying Power to purchase a home
• Comprehensive counseling and referral programs that help with budgeting, financing, and buying a home, along with post-purchase issues
• Referrals to pre-approved lenders and available funds to help with down payment and closing costs
• Assistance in choosing a home that will be a good match for your family.
• Supervision in rehabilitating your home

For more information, please contact:
Rena Mattison
LHA Homeownership Coordinator
(360) 423-0140 ext.27
rmattison@longviewha.org

Other Resources

SHARE program bruochure
SHARE program pre-application

This project is funded by the Longview-Kelso HOME Consortium under a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.