In 2017, Howell County, including the cities of West Plains and Willow Springs, suffered from heavy rains and flooding.
Through federal funding awarded by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) is offering to help applicants secure a down payment for a home through a down payment assistance program. Once determined eligible, available funding up to 100 percent of the down payment will be awarded to the client through a CDBG-DR grant. SCOCOG will work with the clients throughout the process to get them into a new home. The grant will be secured with a lien on the property for the amount of CDBG-DR assistance through a Deed of Mortgage and Restrictive Covenants for a five (5) year affordability period. Customary and reasonable closing costs (not to exceed six percent of the total loan and cannot exceed 100 percent of the total down payment) will be covered. The household annual total adjusted gross income of the applicant must be under 120 percent of the Subrecipients Area Median Income (AMI). Some restrictions will apply.
The applicant will select a lender and get a pre-approval letter for their home loan. They will then make an appointment with SCOCOG to complete an application and provide the required documents. The representative will provide a list of documents to bring to the appointment. Once the application is completed, it will be reviewed for eligibility. The client will receive a determination letter. Next, the client should begin searching for a single family home. It must must not be located in a floodway or floodplain. Once the home has been chosen and the client is deemed eligible, the home will undergo an environmental review performed by SCOCOG, lead screening, termite and DSS inspections. Clients must complete an 8-hour home ownership course provided by a HUD Certified housing counselor, then submit a copy of the certificate of completion to the SCOCOG representative. As a final step, the client will work with their lender to finalize mortgage documents and the grant award will be provided to the lender as the down payment.
Below is more information on the down payment assistance for Howell County, West Plains, and Willow Springs. Please download the appropriate packet for the area you are interested in purchasing a home.
For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact the SCOCOG Office.