“Come Home to Howard County” Housing Fair Set for April 10

March 24, 2010

by Maryland RealEstateRama

Category: Press Releases || Events, Grants, Housing & Development | No Comments

Housing lottery at 1:40 p.m. – application deadline 5 p.m. on April 7

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – March 24, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Howard County Housing will host the “Come Home to Howard County” Housing Fair on Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane in Columbia. The event is free and open to the public.

The Fair targets individuals and families who currently live in the county or those who live outside the county and are looking for information on the diverse and affordable home ownership and rental opportunities available in Howard County. There will be real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, housing specialists, educational workshops, hands-on seminars, give-a-ways and county personnel to answer questions or explain more about the programs and services that make Howard County such a great place to “come home to.”

The Housing Fair will also be the site of two housing lottery drawings beginning at 1:40 p.m. in the school’s atrium. The two drawings will offer an opportunity to purchase a home priced below market rate in Howard County. Lottery winners may also be eligible for up to a $10,000 downpayment and closing cost assistance from the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI). These funds are available to first-time homebuyers whose household income does not exceed 80% of Howard County’s median income; which as of January 1 is $102,540. Contestants must be present to win.

The first lottery home, a detached bungalow located at 10163 High Ridge Road in Laurel, features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a great room, kitchen and separate garage, and is listed for a substantially-reduced price of $199,900. The home is presently undergoing a green design renovation that includes new Energy Star appliances, low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and Green Label certified carpet throughout. The second lottery home, priced at $151,000, is a brick townhome located at 9110 H Tumbleweed Run in the Whiskey Bottom neighborhood of Laurel. The home features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a finished basement, and is currently undergoing renovations as well.

All entrants in the lottery drawing must pre-qualify by submitting an application form available at www.hocohousing.com or by visiting the Housing office at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Factors considered for eligibility include income, assets and household size. Visit Housing’s website for a complete list of pre-qualification requirements and lottery rules. Applications for the lottery must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7; no applications will be accepted at the Fair.

The lottery homes were acquired with Neighborhood Conservation Initiative grant funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The Neighborhood Conservation Initiative is the State’s federal stimulus allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, as authorized by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. The grant was awarded to address the negative impact of foreclosure and sub-prime lending nationwide by acquiring and rehabilitating foreclosed properties and preparing the homes for resale to moderate income households at reduced prices.

For more information about the Housing Fair and/or lottery houses, visit www.hocohousing.com or call (410) 313-6318.

Media Contacts:
Kevin Enright, Director, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Stacy L. Spann, Director, Dept. of Housing & Community Development, 410-313-6318