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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 35323CiTI( ���FiETA�If COf�iFiACi' f�0.�, AGREEMENT WI1�I FORT WORTH HOUSING AUTHORITY CONCERNING TI� HO�JSII�G �OICE �OUCgIER HOMEO�VloIERSHIP PROGRAlVI This Agreement (��Agreement") concerning the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program ("HCVI�'") is between the City of Fort Worth ("Fort Worth"), a home rule municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Texas, acting by and through its duly authorized Assistant City Manager, and the Housing Authority o� the City of Fort Worth, d/b/a/ the Fort Worth Housing Authority ("FWHA"), a Texas municipal housing authority, acting by and through its duly authorized Executive Director. (Sometimes Fort Worth and FWHA are referred to individually as a"Party" and collectively as the "Parties"). RECITALS Fort �J�.-,�h �wl FuruA a;;reP th�t the fol��wing st�tements �re tlue RYl(� Cn*'1'Pt`t and constitute the basis on which they have entered into this Agreement. WHEREAS, Section 555 of the Quality Housing and Wark Responsibility Act of 1998 ("QHWRA") which amended the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437f(y) permits the FWHA to create a homeownership option for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher ("HCV") recipients; WI�REAS, FVVHA has created the HCVHP to convert certain eligible HCV recipients into homeowners; WHEREAS, the HCVHP requires a�plicant-families to attend and satisfactorily complete a pre-assistance homeownership training and housing counseling program; - WHEREAS, Fort Worth offers homeownership tra'v�u1g, pre-purchase and post-closing housing counseling and homebuyers' assistance programs which provide the types of service needed to fu1fi11 the HCVIII''s requirements for pre-assistance counseling, including but not limited to assistance in outreach and marketing of the HCVHP to HCV recipients, client assessment, credit counseling, financial literacy counseling, homeownership training, participation in th� Home Buyexs Chib; post-closin� �oiir.sPlin�; aender training, real est�tP agent t�ai_ni»a and down payment and/or closing cost assistance for first time homebuyers; WI�REAS, an Applicant is defined as a person who is currently receiving renta.l assistance through the HCV program and has expressed an interest in participating in the HCVHP; WI�REAS, an Eligible Family is defined as an Applicant who has met the eligibility requirements for the HCVI�P, completed all required-counselirig -services -and-received-FWHA --- - approval to pl�rsue homeownership with the HCV; WI�REAS, FWHA Housing Assistance Payment ("HAP") is defined as the lesser of 1) the payment standard minus the total tenant payment, or 2) the family's monthly homeownership expenses minus the total tenant payment as determined by FWHA; WHEREAS, FWHA is promoting homeownership through the sale of �ts: scattered sites , ; �";�; ��._ �.. _, , ; HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEO�NNERSHIP ; j j ����i �,���,,,r 1'1�..,, �.�� PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 � � ';;,.;�;;^o,��'I;U �I�;�';�' !f�� L�:�::�J,U';i�+ U�:��� : + �.a_..r._ ---- % / rental units to qualified buyers "(Scattered Sites Program)"; WI�REAS, Fort Worth provides training and counseling services for FWI-�A clients in the Scattered Sites Program as well as similar counseling services to HCVI� clients; WHEREAS, increasing homeoa�anership and providing affordable housing for all income groups are among Fort Worth's housing policy goals and are affirmed in Fort Worth's Comprehensive and Consolidated Plans. NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows: 1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE. The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions under which Fort Worth will provide FWHA with housing counseling and homebuyer assistance to Applicants and Eligible Families in the HCVHP, clients in the Scattered Sites Program, and related services to the FWHA. 2. TERM. This Agreement shall commence on May 11, 2007 and will expire May 1G, 2008 unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement. The Parties may renew this Agreement for up to twelve (12) months by mutual written agreement. The Parties shall execute such renewals no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the current term. In addition to termination for default pursuant to Section 5, either Party may terminate this Agreement without cause upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the other Party, and neither Party shall have any further responsibility or liability hereunder except for services previously rendered and payment for the same. 3- DTITIES OF THE PARTIES AND SERVICES PR.OVIDED. 3.1 FWHA and Fort Worth will: a. Identify, recruit and establish a pool of mortgage lenders and real estate agents participating in the HCVHP. b. Develop and implement a marketing and training plan for mortgage lenders and real estate agents. �. Conduct orientation sessions with Applicants. 3.2 FWHA will: a. Administer the HCVHP. b. Develop and implement a marketing plan for I�CV recipients, including FWHA's Family Self-Sufficiency ("FSS") clients. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIP 2 PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 c. Revise written materials about the HCVHP as needed. d. Determine each HCV recipient's eligibility to apply for HCVHP in accordance with FWHA's HCVHP Administrative Plan. e. Refer Applicants to Fort Worth for pre-homeownership counseling. £ Establish a Homebuyers Club for Applicants categorized as Long Term lender-ready. Conduct quarterly meetings of the Homebuyers Club. g. , Issue HCVHP Certification of Eligibility and FWHA HAP voucher to an Applicant after completion of pre-homeownership counseling and after an Applicant is deemed lender—ready. Upon receipt of the HCVHP Certification of Eligibility and FWHA HAP voucher, an Applicant shall be deemed to be an Eligible Family. h. Complete housing quality standards ("HQS") inspections for Eligible Families not receiving closing cost and down payment assistance through Fort Worth's Homebuyers' Assistance Program ("FWHAP") and counsel Eligible Families on the inspector's findings. F'ar Eligible Families receiving FWHAP, Fort Worth will complete the HQS inspections and will counsel the Eligible Families on the inspector's findings. i. Review the sales contract for the house to be acquired by an Eligible Family. j. Make FWHA HAP payments in the manner prescribed by a mortgage lender either directly to an Eligible Family, directly to a mortgage lender, or to a financial institution on which payments are drafted by a mortgage lende�. k. Provide Fort Worth the following: � A copy of the relevant FWHA policies and procedures currently in place regarding the HCVHP and all future updates of such policies and procedures. • A copy of the current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD��) regulations pertaining to the HCVHP, as amended from time to time, including but not limited to those regulations found at 24 C.F.R 982.1 et seq. • A co�y of the FWHA Administrative Plan for pai�ticipation in trie HCVHP; and • A list of Applicants who are current FSS participants and the current balance of the participants' escrow accounts. 1. Determine each FWHA recipient's eligibility to participate in the Scattered Sites Program. 3.3. Fort Worth will: a. Obtain credit reports for Applicants at the Applicant's or FWHA's cost, as the case may be. b. Provide FWHA a copy of Fort Worth's Steps to Homeownership as amended from time to time. c. Provide each Applicant with an initial counseling session within two (2) HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIl' 3 PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 �I r. f. g• h. i. J• k. 1. weeks after an orientation session that describes the counseling process and the schedule of all necessary appointments. Provide an assessment of each Applicant's qualification for the HCVHP based on credit worthiness, employment, income history and any compensating factors. Applicants will be categorized as follows: • Fast Track - lender ready • Short Term- lender ready in six (6) months or less • Long Term - lender-ready in more than six (6) months Provide a copy of the assessment, including category designation, to FWHA and Applicants. Provide each Applicant categorized as Fast Track or Short Term with 20- 25 hours of pre-homeownership individual counseling, including an action plan, and homeownership training. Training/counseling shall include the following activities/topics: • Credit counseling. • How to find a house to purchase, including information about homeownership opportunities, schools, and public transportation in the City of Fort Worth. � Information on fair housing laws and regulations, including local fair housing agencies. • How to negotiate a purchase of a house. -� I�formation about the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, state and federal truth-in-lending laws, and how to identify and avoid loans with unfavorable and predatory terms and conditions. • How to obtain homeownership financing and mortgage loan pre-approvals, including a description of types of financing that may be available and the advantages and disadvantages of different types of financing. • House maintenance (including care of the landscaping and energy conservation). • Budgeting and money management. � Financial literacy in conjunction with the FSS program. • FWHAP or other similar programs offered by other agencies. � Other information deemed appropriate by FWHA and Fort Worth . Refer Applicants categorized as Long Term to the Homebuyers Club. Conduct sessions for the Home Buyers Club; Determine Applicant's readiness to apply for a mortgage loan. Certify Applicant's completion of pre-homeownership counseling and training. Submit a copy of certification to FWHA. Work with each Eligible Family in the selection of a mortgage lender and assist the Eligible Family in providing supporting documents requested by the mortgage lender. Work with each Eligible Family and its mortgage lender in resolving any credit issues. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 ,� � , � °,;�� %�� i ��=Y�'�..�j � I �+r,J v i� U��� c) s L ��1;� �'''y, � �' -� n �„ i i�j� �;'�r�+ , lf i?i � � m. Assist Eligible Families in the selection of a real estate agent and in sales contract negotiations. Review sales contract with the Eligible Family. n. Provide FWHA and each Eligible Family's mortgage lender with a copy of the final sales contract entered into with a seller. o. Complete an HQS inspection for Eligible Families receiving closing cost and down payment assistance through FWHAP and counsel Eligible Families on HQS inspector's findings. For Eligible Families not receiving FWHAP, FWHA will complete the HQS inspection and will counsel the Eligible Families on the inspector's findings. p. Assist Eligible Families in the selection of a licensed residential real estate inspector and review the real estate inspector's findings with the Eligible Families. � q. Provide continued assistance to Eligible Families tluough closing. r. Provide supporting documents for FWHA HAP payments to mortgage lenders. t. u. v. w. x. Y• z. Review Eligible Family's closing documents for accuracy to ensure that any down payment and other requirements have been met and appropriate financing and information have been utilized by the mortgage lenders. Provide FWHAP to Eligible Families if they qualify under FWHAP guidelines. Attend closing with Eligible Families, if requested by the Eligible Families. Provide copies of counseling and loan closing files to FWHA. Conduct quarterly post-purchase counseling with Eligible Families for one (1) year after loan closing. Provide delinquency or foreclosure prevention counseling to Eligible Families as needed. Provide FWHA with monthly reports on the activities of all Applicants and Eligible Families. Conduct orientation and provide counseling services to FWHA clients participating in the Scattered Sites Program. 4. CONSIDERATION. FWHA agrees to provide a grant up to, but not to exceed, $60,000.00 and Fort Worth agrees to provide in-kind services valued up to $60,000.00 for the costs of the operation of the pre-assistance and post-closing homeownership and housing counseling program for the HCVHP as follows: FWHA Fort Worth (in kind services) Tota.l $60,000.00 60,000.00 $120,000.00 FWHA shall pay its portion of the costs to Fort Worth, as follows: $15,000.00 on May 31, 2007; $15,000.00 on August 31, 2007; $15,000.00 on November 30, 2007 and $15,000.00 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHII' PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 5 on February 28, 2008. During any renewals of this Agreement, FWHA shall provide Fort Worth with funds in accordance with the terms of any renewal agreement. 5. DEFAULT. If either FWHA or Fort Worth fails, for any reason, to perform any provision or condition of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated if the default continues for a period of thirty (30) days after the notifying Party notifies the defaulting Party in writing of the default and its intention to declare this Agreement terminated for cause. If the defaulting Party does not cure or correct such breach within the tliirty (30) day-period, the notifying Party shall have the right to declare this Agreement immediately terminated, and neither Party shall have any further responsibility or liability hereunder except for services previously rendered and payment for the same. 6. G�I+fLlta[� �'ROVISIC�NS. 6.1 Reauest for Information FWHA and Fort Worth agree to provide each other any information on Applicants and Eligible Families within two (2) business days of the request. 6.2. No Waiver. The failure of either Party to insist upon the performance of any provision or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right granted herein shall not constitute a waiver of that Party's right to insi�t �.tpon ap}�ropriate performance or to assert any such right on any future occasion. 6.3. Senarability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceabiliiy of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. 6.4. Force Maieure. The Parties shall exercise their best efforts to meet their respective duties and obligations hereunder, but shall not be held liable for any delay in or omission of performance due to force majeure or other causes beyond their reasonable conti•ol, including, but not limited to, compliance with any state or federal law or regulation, acts of God, fires, strikes, lockouts, national disasters, wars, riots, material or labor restrictions, transportation problems or existing contractual obligations directly related to the subject matter of this Agreement. 6.5 Venue and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for any action brought on the basis of this Agreement shall lie exclusively in state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas. In any such action, the prevailing party shall recover from the other all reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and other reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the action. 6.6 Entiretv of A�reement. This Agreement, including all E�ibits attached hereto HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIl' 6 PROGRAM �1GREEMENT 04/19/07 and any documents incorporated herein by reference, contains the entire understanding and agreement between Fort Worth and FWHA as to the work and services to be performed. Any prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreement is hereby declared null and void to the extent in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement. 6.7 Compliance with Laws, Ordinances, Iiules and Regulatioms This Agreement is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, including but not limited to all provisions of Fort Worth's charter. 6.8 Independent Contractors. Fort V�orth shall operate hereunder as an independent contractor and not as an officer, agent, servant or employee of FWHA. FWHA shall operate hereunder as an independent contractor and not as an officer, agent, servant, or employee of Fort Worth. Fort Worth shall have the exclusive control of, and the exclusive right to control the worlc designated to be performed by Fort Worth under the terms of this Agreement, and of all persons performing the same and shall be solely responsible for the acts and omissions of its officers, members, agents and employees. Neither Fort Worth nor FWHA shall be responsible under the Doctrine of Respondeat Superior for the acts or omissions of its ofiicers, members, agents, employees or officers of the other. No partnership or joint venture is intended or formed between Fort Worth and FWHA by this Agreement. 6.� 1[mmunitv and Third Parties It is expressly agreed thaf, in the execution and performance of this Agreement, neither Fort Worth nor-FWHA waives, nor shall be deemed to waive, any immunity or defense that would otherwise be available to it against claims arising in the exercise of their respective powers and functions, Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to benefit any third party other than an employee ar officer of Fort Worth or FWHA while in the performance of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be construed to expand the liability of Fort Worth or FWI�A beyond the scope of Chapter 101 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated unless specifically stated herein. 6.10 Amendment. No amendment, modification or alteration of this Agreement shall be binding unless the same is in writing, dated subsequent to the date hereof and executed by the Parties. HOLTSINCF CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIl' � PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 7. NOTIC�S. All notices required by this Agreemen following address, or at such other address certified mail, postage prepaid or hand delivery: Fort Worth: Jerome C. Walker, Director Fort Worth Housing Department 1000 Throckmorton St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 t shall be addressed to the Parties at the as either Party designates in writing, by FWHA: Barbara Holston, Executive Director r'ort W ortli Housing Authority 1201 E. 13th Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 EXECUTED in multiple originals as of the last date indicated below: CITY OF FO •� WORTH: ,� � By. � .L, I)ale Fisseler Assistant City Manager Date: -� ("� ���--� � ATTEST: By: ' Marty Hendri City Secretarg� i . .� .� - -. �' 1�+_�+_�.�N_ • � FORT WORTH HOUSING AUTHORITY: By: ��.VLGc.��-`'.:� ,�����rL. Barbara Holston Executive Director Date• �� ;� - �' _ �' � ATTEST: � � ��By, �� �-� _"�, ;t � , � .�'�-�—� Selarstean Mitchell Director of Assisted Housing APPROVED AS 'I'O �n� AND LEGALITY4 By; �'t,C.��-�.�,c._. �� . , C�11�1.�-f�— Vicki S. Ganske Senior Assistant City Attorney HOUSING CHOICE �IOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT 04/19/07 ,.----_- p . c s � � , � vd!'�L1t � �!i� L + �,RS,-. '\J��,,/ � I, y�� (,`� ? �, :�, � �. _: � � � .,; , . �-:: �.. �� J LZ �'�'il��� �q .i� pr��r . ! �] :`:r.`:�Idl� i1��G1e i � „ � City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 5/22/2007 - Ordinance No. 17561-05-2007 DATE: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 LOG NAME: 05FWHA2007 Page 1 of 2 REFERENCE NO.: C-22135 SUBJECT: Accept Grant from the Fort Worth Housing Authority for $60,000 to Provide Housing Counseling and Homeownership Training and Related Services and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant of $60,000.00 from the Fort Worth Housing Authority (FWHA) to provide housing counseling and homeownership training and related services to its Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program (HCVHP) from May 11, 2007 to May 10, 2008; 2. Authorize the City Manager to renew the existing contract with the FWHA for $60,000.00 to provide housing counseling, homeownership training and related services to the FWHA 's HCVHP for the period from May 11, 2007 to May 10,2008; 3. Authorize the City Manager to amend, extend, or renew this contract in accordance with City of Fort Worth (City) policies and regulations upon mutual agreement with the FWHA; and 4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund by $60,000.00. DISCUSSION: The Fort Worth Housing Authority (FWHA) is allowed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement Section 555 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act to create a viable homeownership option for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher recipients. Under the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program (HCVHP), Section 8 Housing Vouchers may be used to help first-time homebuyers meet monthly mortgage and related housing payments and utility expenses. Housing counseling and homeownership and post-purchase training are critical elements of the HCVHP. The City of Fort Worth's (City) Housing Department is a HUD-certified counseling agency and has received other housing counseling grants from HUD in the last six years. This year, the City received a$57,037.00 Comprehensive Housing Counseling grant from HUD. The Housing Department also administers a Homebuyers' Assistance Program that provides closing cost/down payment assistance and/or deferred payment loans to eligible first-time homebuyers. These two City programs complement FWHA's HCVHP and the City's participation in HCVHP in turn helps meet its housing counseling and homebuyers' assistance program goals set forth in the City's Consolidated and Comprehensive Plans. On September 19, 2006, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with the FWHA (M&C G21684) to provide the required counseling services and homeownership .�raining for its HCVHP. The City Manager was further authorized to amend, extend or renew the contract'in accor.'dance with City policies and regulations upon mutual agreement with the FWHA. This contract will expire on May ; 10, 2007. It has been renewed from May 11, 2007 to May 10, 2008 for $60,000 to be paid by the F1NHA to http://www.cfwnet.org/council�acket/Reports/mc�rint.asp 5/23/2007 Page 2 of 2 the City on a quarterly basis. The HCVHP is available in ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Finance Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Fund. TO Fund/AccountlCenters � $60,000.00 GR76 451343 005445194000 (4) GR76 5 �60,000.00 (VARIOUSI 005445194010 Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Originating Department Head: Additional Information Contact: FROM Fund/Account/Centers Dale Fisseler (6140) Jerome Walker (7537) Benedict George (7339) http://www.cfwnet. org/council�acket/Reports/mc�rint.asp �'���1":;1>;,:'� :�:�:>����.�� `'1 ;�; :;;;'�'.��yti�;R; , ,� <��d�i, ;'S'.�,:uL'-1!(u� � ^, .� c , r �., n � li. I� ., �:� „� . � o �':�:��'� .. . � i ��� . . .. t - - 5/23/2007