AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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Affordable housing program set for San Juan Island

$320K available for down payment assistance

By Sharon Kivisto

posted 08/29/01
The county's program to help first-time homebuyers has $320,000 available. The program is not being advertised because there aren't any homes available in a price range participants could afford according to the program administrator John Manning.

Sixteen families bought homes in the first round of the program which began in 1999. The county loaned the residents up to $25,000 toward a down payment. Participants had to be residents, their assets couldn't exceed $25,000, and they had to have $2,000 for a down payment. Income restrictions also applied.

The loan amount has been increased to $30,000. For more information about the program, contact Manning at 360.378.4474 or call Islanders Bank at 360.378.2265.

Manning to manage loan program

posted 08/29/01
Health and Human Services Director will add Loan Program Administrator to his list of duties. San Juan County Board of County Commissioners decided yesterday (Aug. 28) to delegate responsibility of the county's revolving loan fund program to Manning.

Under the program money is loaned to qualified residents for down payments on homes. Sixteen homes have been purchased by residents using the program. In lieu of interest the county receives one-half of the amount the property appreciates. Sixteen homes have been purchased by residents using the program.

In the first round of the program, the state gave the county $424,000. Another $225,000 has been authorized by the state according to County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen.

An Affordable Housing Program Audit compiled at the request of San Juan County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord included several recommendations. Appointment of a county employee to administer the program was one. Limiting the role of the county's Housing Advisory Board was also recommended. Several of the recommendations involved record-keeping.

The report also recommended prohibiting county employees from participating in the loan program. According to the report wording in the Grant Contract precludes participation in the program by any San Juan County employee. Manning told the commissioners he had concerns about eliminating participation by county employees. He did not think there was any conflict and noted the "need to keep the process transparent to assure there is no preferential treatment."

At Tuesday's BOCC meeting, Manning noted the advisory board would not be meeting until mid-September. He recommended the BOCC not wait to transfer authority to him. "The program has been in limbo long enough," he said.

The BOCC directed him to draft a resolution transferring the administration of the program to him.

Manning will prepare the resolution. He told the board he will prepare an entire new manual for the program and have it reviewed by the county prosecutor by the end of September.