Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton, President Mosby, Councilmembers Stokes, McCray, Conway, Schleifer, Costello
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Baltimore City Senior Homeowners Grant Program
For the purpose of establishing the Baltimore City Senior Homeowners Grant Program; specifying the purpose of the Program; establishing eligibility criteria for the Program; specifying the assistance provided by the Program; defining certain terms; and generally relating to the Baltimore City Senior Homeowners Grant Program.
body
By adding
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Section(s) 6E-1 through 6E-6, to be under the new subtitle designation,
“Subtitle 6E. Baltimore City Senior Homeowner Assistance Grant Program”
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal
Subtitle 6E. Senior Homeowners Grant Program
§ 6E-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Department.
“Department” means the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.
(c) Principal residence.
“Principal residence” means the one location where an individual regularly resides and is the location designated by the individual for the legal purpose of voting, obtaining a driver’s license, and filing income tax returns.
(d) Program.
“Program” means the Baltimore City Senior Homeowners Grant Program.
(e) Senior citizen.
“Senior citizen” or “senior” means an individual who is at least 62 years old or older and whose principal residence is located in Baltimore City.
(f) Reverse mortgage.
“Reverse mortgage” means the home equity conversion mortgage products authorized under 12 U.S.C. 1715Z-20 and defined in 24 CFR Parts 200 and 206 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Authority Mortgagee Letters in the Code of Federal Regulations.
§ 6E-2. Program established.
There is a Baltimore City Senior Homeowners Grant Program, administered by the Department.
§ 6E-3. Purpose of subtitle.
The purpose of this subtitle is to stabilize Baltimore’s neighborhoods and retain valuable long-term residents by providing grants to seniors who are vulnerable to the loss of their homes due to a reverse mortgage.
§ 6E-4. Eligibility.
(a) In general.
An applicant is eligible for the Program if:
(1) the applicant is 62 years of age or older;
(2) the home is the applicant’s principal residence;
(3) the applicant has ever been in default with the applicant’s reverse mortgage;
(4) the home is not an unsafe or unfit structure as described in § 116 {“Unsafe Structures”} of the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City;
(5) the applicant provides documentation that they are able to pay or to secure other grants to pay any costs in excess of the maximum grant amount awarded by the Program;
(6) the applicant:
(1) holds the title to the home;
(2) demonstrates that the applicant will hold title to the home; or
(3) reasonably expects that the applicant will hold title to the home.
(b) Prioritization.
To ensure that Program funds are distributed in an equitable manner, the Department shall prioritize Program acceptance for applicants with a household income at or below 60% of Baltimore City’s area median income.
§ 6E-5. Program procedure.
(a) Application.
A prospective Program participant shall submit to the Department an application including:
(1) the applicant’s total household income;
(2) the sources of the applicant’s total household income;
(3) the number of family members who will live in the home;
(4) verification of the applicant’s eligibility for the Program; and
(5) any other information deemed necessary by the Department to determine the applicant’s eligibility for the Program.
(b) Acceptance of applicants.
The Department shall consider the following before accepting an applicant:
(1) the applicant’s compliance with eligibility requirements as described in § 2E-4 of this subtitle;
(2) the completeness of the applicant’s submitted application;
(3) the necessity of the costs the applicant is seeking a grant to cover;
(4) the availability of Program funds;
(5) the likelihood that the applicant will hold title to the home; and
(6) the applicant’s ability to retain and maintain the home, including consideration of:
(i) the applicant’s household income;
(ii) the applicant’s outstanding debts and liens; and
(iii) the condition of the property.
(c) Available assistance.
The Program may issue a grant of up to $5,000 to an accepted applicant, at the discretion of the Department.
(d) Proof of payment of costs.
A Program participant who has received a grant shall submit documentation of payment of the costs associated with the reverse mortgage.
§ 6E-6. Program funding.
Program funding shall be subject to an appropriation of funds in accordance with the City Charter.
§ 6E-7. Rules and Regulations.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act - Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.