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County Secures Federal HomeAid

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By SHANNON BEHNKEN

sbehnken@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County will soon get $19 million from the federal government to buy abandoned, foreclosed homes in neighborhoods hard-hit by foreclosures and falling home values.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said Tuesday that it has approved the county's plan to spend the grant money.

"Through a number of viable partnerships, our primary focus will be to acquire foreclosed or abandoned properties in the targeted areas and place eligible families into affordable housing units," said Valmarie Turner, director of Hillsborough County's Affordable Housing Office.

The money is part of the Bush administration's foreclosure relief plan, announced in the fall. It calls for $3.92 billion to be paid to states and municipalities slammed by foreclosures.

Governments can use grants to buy homes at a discount, to demolish or rehabilitate abandoned properties and offer down-payment help to low- to moderate-income homebuyers.

Florida, because of its large volume of abandoned homes, is slated to get up to $541.4 million - more than any other state. The government deemed 37 Florida municipalities, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, at either a high or medium risk of abandoned homes. So far, though, only Cape Coral and Fort Myers have won approval.

The city of Tampa is eligible for $13.6 million, but its plan has not yet been approved by HUD. All plans were due on Dec. 1, and it takes time to review and approve them, said Brian Sullivan, spokesman for the agency.

Hillsborough County's plan targets foreclosures in the University of South Florida area, Orient Park, and in the Clair-Mel City, Palm River and Progress Village neighborhoods.

To view the plan, go to www.hillsborough county.org/affordablehousingoffice/.

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