Housing and Community Development

San Mateo County Department of Housing

Provides low-interest loans for the rehabilitation of residential property and assistance to first-time homebuyers.

Description:

Assists very low, low- and moderate-income residents through housing assistance, financing and community development. Provides subsidized housing, loan financing, project funding and technical assistance, primarily through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, other public agencies and the private sector. Promotes, plans, creates and financially manages housing and community development. The Rehabilitation Loan Program provides low-interest loans (3%) for the rehabilitation of residential property to low- and moderate-income persons who own their own homes in designated areas and multi-family rental units whose tenants are low and moderate income. Deferred loans are available, usually for elderly, very low-income and disabled persons. After the initial contact the applicant's financial eligibility is checked. The assigned rehabilitation loan officer and specialist will visit the property owner to determine the work that needs to be done. The work is then bid and performed by licensed contractors. First-Time Homebuyer Program administers the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program, which allows qualified first-time homebuyers to take 15 percent of their annual mortgage interest payments as a tax credit against their federal income tax. Also administers the San Mateo County START/StartPLUS Program as well as programs for Foster City and Menlo Park.

Location

Public Transit:

CALTRAIN, SAMTRANS stop within 3 blocks.

Service Options

Languages Spoken:

Spanish
Tagalog

Accessibility Options:

Disabled Parking
Disabled Restroom
Wheelchair

Services

Fees:

Vary according to type of loan.

Audience:

Low-income and moderate-income homeowners or landlords of low-income households, first-time homebuyers, nonprofit and for-profit developers

Eligibility:

For homeowner: 80% or below of current San Mateo County median income. For landlord and for information on other programs: phone for information

How to Apply:

Apply by phone or mail.

Service Wait Estimate:

Varies according to program.

Service Areas:

San Mateo County