TRUMBULL COUNTY Warren revives $1 house lottery program

Applicants must fall within certain guidelines to qualify for the program.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A dollar doesn't buy much these days, but for five people who meet income eligibility, the small amount could buy a house.
The city's community development department has revived its urban homesteading, or $1 house lottery program, after a several-year hiatus.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 and between 50 percent and 80 percent of the median income based on the size of the family.
A family of four, for example, must earn between $25,300 and $40,500 annually.
The maximum amount is established by federal guidelines while the lower amount is to ensure the applicant has the financial means to maintain the house, said Michael Keys, community development director.
"We don't want to set someone up to fail," he said.
What's required
A $10 fee is required with an application for a credit report, buyers must provide proof of financial ability to rehabilitate the property and obtain financing, and they must agree to live in the house for at least five years.
Applications will be accepted at the community development department through Oct. 1. Call (330) 841-2595 to schedule an appointment with Melanie McBride. The $1 fee is to participate in the lottery.
"I think it's a good program any time you're giving somebody the opportunity to pick up a house for a dollar to rehab it, I think it's a good thing," said Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, chairman of council's community development committee.
It's an especially good opportunity for first-time homebuyers, he said.
"I think there should be more programs like it," Fonce said.
The city obtained the houses when the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department foreclosed on them. Their condition varies.
"The buyer has to be able to do what is necessary to bring the property up to code," Keys said, adding that's another reason the department established the minimum income requirement. "A couple of them need a lot of work."
Locations
The addresses are: 3259 Clearwater St. N.W., 2696 Wick St. S.E., 2770 Burton St. S.E., 1180 Parkman Road N.W. and 787 East Ave. S.E.
After the applicants are received, prospective buyers can walk through the houses to determine for which ones they want to throw their names into the lottery. Applicants may choose to try for all five or just one.
Whether the city will continue the program after the five houses are sold depends on how well it goes this time.
"We may find that we have five good families who want to maintain them moving into these houses," Keys said. If not, we're review whether we're going to do it again."
denise_dick@vindy.com