Agency report goes behind open doors

The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency hit another “home” run with its annual report, “A Story Behind Every Door.”

The title alone shows where the agency’s priorities lie: with people.

The report includes the statistics common to any such report. But it also shines a spotlight on four individuals, their quests for a home of their own, and how a particular OHFA program helped.

Here’s a taste of each:

Barbara

When her children were small, Barbara worked in the cafeteria at Page Woodson School. Today she walks the halls as a resident of the newly opened Page Woodson Apartments.

Developers have breathed new life into one of Oklahoma City’s most historic school buildings. Originally built in the early 1900s, Page Woodson once held stature as a focal point of Oklahoma City’s black community. After closing in 1993 as Page Woodson Fifth Grade Center, the once stately school building was nearly lost to neglect and vandalism.

New Page, LLC was awarded a maximum of $1 million in four percent Affordable Housing Tax Credits and a maximum of $25 million in tax-exempt multifamily bonds to convert the former Page Woodson School, 600 N High Ave. in Oklahoma City, into 68 apartments and to construct a new building to house an additional 68 apartments on the same property . ...

Paul

Paul enrolled in OHFA’s Family Self-Sufficiency program with the goal of working toward purchasing a home. An unexpected job loss followed by a cancer diagnosis delayed his plan.

After a program extension, he completed his goal of purchasing a home and has spent most days since then bringing in bright colors inspired by nature. He stained the hardwood floors in a color resembling his beloved sand plums. He painted the walls in tones that reflect the Oklahoma prairie . ...

Sarah

When cigarette smoke kept creeping through the walls and vents into her apartment, Sarah turned to CDSA, an organization she knew could help her find a healthier home.

With the help of CDSA, Sarah was able to move into the perfect home with her two small children.

Using HOME Investment Partnership Fund grants from OHFA, CDSA builds and rehabilitates homes for rent, so that people like Sarah have the peace of mind of living in a quality home . ...

Erik

For years, Erik had considered purchasing a home. Yet as a single father and a teacher, he wasn’t quite sure he could make it happen financially. After visiting with Janette Douglass with Gateway Mortgage Group, he got the news he’d long been hoping he’d receive.

Not only had Erik qualified for OHFA Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance, he was also eligible for a limited-time product called OHFA Star, which added an additional $1,500 toward closing costs. This meant he could purchase a house without breaking the bank . ...

Read all about their fulfilled dreams of a home here: http://ohfa-annual report.org/2017/.

Here are a few other highlights from 2017 (go to the website for more):

• OHFA allocated $9 million to build 1,027 tax credit rental units at 60 percent or less of the area median income.

• OHFA provided $5 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The money created 145 units of affordable rental housing and four homes for low-income buyers, and helped 55 families with downpayment assistance. Plus, National Housing Trust Fund allocations created 83 units at 30 percent or less of area median income.

• Twelve participants completed Family Self Sufficiency requirements. Through the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, four families became homeowners. OHFA served more than 10,000 households each month with the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

• Thanks to OHFA Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance, 727 loans were closed. Lack of down payment is a big obstacle for many potential homeowners.

“An affordable home is a basic fundamental that should be available to everyone,” said Deborah Jenkins, who became executive director of the agency last year. “My vision for the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency is to be the premier agency for providing resources that offers every Oklahoman access to affordable housing.

“We will be a catalyst for creating strong, sustainable communities that transform neighborhoods and enhance livability.”