Western Egyptian
Economic Opportunity Council
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Serving the Community Since 1965 |
Homebuyer Program
What Is The Homebuyer Program?
¨ The Homebuyer Program is locally operated, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development administered through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
¨ The Homebuyer Program provides eligible applicants assistance with down payments, closing costs, and provides funding for rehabilitation of the property bringing the dwelling up to Section 8 Housing Quality Standards. The assistance is in the form of zero-interests forgivable loan. Homebuyer applicants are provided workshops, one-on-one counseling, and follow-up counseling after the purchase. The mandatory workshops include program general information, mortgage and closing information, home selection, home maintenance, lead paint, dealing with contractors, budgeting, credit, avoiding foreclosure and other related subjects.
¨ The rehabilitation component provides such things as roofing, siding, insulation, plumbing, interior and exterior repairs, electrical, foundations, furnaces, flooring, windows and doors.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Must purchase a home in Jackson, Monroe, Perry or Randolph County.
2. Income eligibility is based on projected 12 month annual gross income from all sources, and must be
less than or equal to 80% of the area median income. Purchase must be through fee simple title.
3. Applicants must attend scheduled Homebuyers’ workshops and participate in the follow-up
counseling.
4. Applicants must not have ownership interest in any real estate and they must have satisfactory credit.
5. Using their own funds the homebuyer must provide the required percentage of the purchase price of
the home as down payment, pay some upfront lending institution fees, and pay for first year
homeowner’s insurance.
6. Property value and rehabilitation work must not exceed HUD’s Purchase Price/Value limits.
Application Process:
1. Complete preliminary application and provide al necessary documentation including credit report.
2. Successfully complete the Homebuyer Workshops. Western Egyptian EOC will issue each
participant a “Homebuyer counseling Certificate of Achievement.”
3. Select property and Section 8 Quality Standard inspection completed.
4. Mortgage loan applied for, approved, closing is held.
5. The home is inspected to determine what work is needed.
6. A bid document is prepared, sent out, returned and the homeowner assists in award of the bid.
7. A construction contract is signed. Materials are ordered, work is scheduled, and the applicant is
notified of the date when the work will begin.
8. The work is performed by experienced general contractors and subcontractors who will apply the
appropriate materials to the home.
9. The home is inspected to ensure the work has been done, and meets Federal and State
standards.
10. If the loan is not approved, Western Egyptian EOC will work with the participant to identify the
reasons and a course of action will be proposed to alleviate the problem.
How To Apply For The Program:
Contact The Housing Department.
WEEOC Warehouse
1130 North Sparta
Steeleville, IL 62288
618 / 965-3193
Information Also Available At the Following Outreach Offices
Jackson Country
342A North Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618 / 684-3341
Monroe Country
207 W. Fourth (rear)
Waterloo, IL 62298
618 / 939-8715
Perry Country
310 East South
DuQuoin, IL 62832
618 / 542-4656
Randolph Country
128A Koeneman Acres
Chester, IL 62233
618 / 826-3141
Randolph Country
214B North Fulton
Sparta, IL 86
618 / 443-5231
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