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Homeownership Program (HOP)

New homeowner and daughter in front of their new home.

SPHA's Homeownership Program (HOP) offers a pathway for eligible residents to move from renting to becoming first-time homebuyers.

 

For Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Holders

For families who are assisted under the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and meet other eligibility requirements, the Homeownership Program allows you to use your voucher to buy your first home and receive monthly assistance towards homeownership expenses.

 

To participate, your family must: 

  • Join or be currently enrolled in the SPHA Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. (This requirement may be waived by the CEO in some individualized cases.)
  • Have a housing voucher issued by SPHA.
  • Your family must be a participant in good standing in the HCV program for at least one year.
  • Meet specific income and employment requirements.
  • Your family must meet the Federal minimum income requirements.
  • At least one adult family member who will own the home must be currently employed full-time and must have been continuously employed for one year prior to homeownership assistance, unless elderly or disabled.
  • Be a first-time homeowner as defined in the regulation.
  • Abide by any other applicable program guidelines.

If you would like to learn more, please contact your Section 8/HCV Specialist.

 

For Public Housing Residents

If you live in one of SPHA's Public Housing communities, the Homeownership Program offers homebuyer education and resources to you, helping to reduce roadblocks and prepare you to buy your first home. Eligible public housing residents participating in the Homeownership Program will receive all of the benefits of the FSS Program, including the creation of an escrow savings account, and lender relationships. However, you will not have a voucher to use towards your mortgage.

 

If you would like to learn more, please contact the Social Services Department. Email: socialservices@stpeteha.org

 

Next Steps

Once your Homeownership Program eligibility is determined by SPHA staff, you must attend and satisfactorily complete the pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program required by SPHA.

 

When the counseling program is complete, you will be ready to seek financing for the purchase of your first home from the lender of your choice. SPHA is also working in partnership with local banks, realtors, lenders, and mortgage brokers to help you reach your homeownership goal!

 

 

Realtor / Lender Information

Archer Realty Solutions

  • Tierra Archer, Georgia & Florida Real Estate Broker
  • Based in St. Petersburg, Florida
  • Tierra is fueled by her passion for understanding the nuances of cross-cultural real estate. With being a full time mother and business women, she considers herself a 'forever student,' eager to build and stay in tune with the latest digital marketing strategies through continued coursework and professional development. Her hunger for knowledge and determination to turn information into action has contributed to her most recent success at Archer Realty Solutions. There, she leads a team of professionals with whom is just as eager as she is.
  • Phone: 727-600-4600
  • Email: tierraismybroker@gmail.com
  • Website: www.archerrealtysolutions.com

 

Chase

  • Autumn Waters, Community Home Lending Advisor
  • NMLS ID: 745626
  • Autumn proudly serves clients in the Tampa Florida area and specializes in pre-qualification, lending to self-employed clients, low-to-moderate income lending programs, FHA mortgages, VA mortgages, and first-time homebuyer programs. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, need to expand or downsize, or are looking for a second home, Autumn is here to help you find the right mortgage to fit your needs. Starting with a review of your finances, Autumn can help you get a clear picture of what might work best for you. Autumn will explain your options, answer any questions you may have, keep you informed and guide you through every step of the mortgage process. Above all, Autumn wants to ensure that you have a positive home lending experience.
  • Phone: 813-600-9189
  • Email: autumn.waters@chase.com
  • Address: 8942 Bertha Palmer Blvd. Temple Terrace, FL 33617
  • Website: homeloan.chase.com/autumn.waters

 

Dalton Wade Real Estate Group

  • Address: 260 1st Ave S., 5th Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  • Website: daltonwade.com

 

Florida Mortgage Pros LLC

  • Parris Williams, Branch Manager
  • NMLS#2450936
  • Address: 2031 E Edgewood Dr, Suite 3, Lakeland, FL 33803
  • Phone: Office: 863-353-2712 Direct: 917-842-9498
  • Email: Parris@FLMortgagePros.com
  • As an independent mortgage broker, I have the privilege of collaborating with numerous lenders and banks, each of whom provides a diverse selection of mortgage products. This extensive range includes the well-known traditional conventional mortgages, as well as options such as FHA, VA, USDA loans, and even Non-QM and investment opportunities tailored for non-traditional clients. The various agency programs that require low money down.
  • In addition to my expertise in the mortgage and real estate industry, I bring a unique perspective to my clients'
    experiences by drawing upon my background in holistic health and wellness. Recognizing that purchasing a home is one of life's significant milestones, I apply my holistic approach to support my clients through this transformative journey.
  • By integrating my knowledge of holistic health and wellness principles, I work collaboratively with my clients through
    strategic planning to address their homebuying process. I understand that this can be an exciting yet potentially overwhelming time, and my aim is to empower my clients at every step. I strive to be a trusted partner and advocate by providing support, guidance, and resources tailored to your specific needs, I am dedicated to ensuring that your homebuying experience is not only successful but also fulfilling on a personal level. From DREAMS to KEYS! We make it happen for you. I look forward to my team and I working on your behalf.
  • Website: FLMortgagePros.com

 

Homesphere Realty

 

The House To Home Collective, Powered by LPT Realty

  • Hannah-Lynn Wallace, Realtor
  • License ID: SL3438781
  • Phone: 727-748-9022
  • Email: HL@Hannahlynnyourrealtor.com
  • Address: 200 S Pegasus Ave, Clearwater, FL 33765
  • As a Tampa Bay real estate professional, I have developed a reputation for excellence in customer service, "thinking outside
    of the box" and providing each client with a creative and unforgettable home buying experience. I maintain an active role in my community and my passion for education, wealth building, and homeownership has become the driving force behind my
    team, my business, and my mission.
  • Each buyer I work with has a one-on-one buyer experience session where we discuss their goals. Together we create an
    accountability timeline to achieve those goals. My clients receive a full concierge service from contact to closing with myself
    and my team. We provide them with all the tools and resources they need to find success in homeownership. We also give
    each buyer a closing experience to remember.
  • I genuinely love what I do. For me, there isn't anything more rewarding than helping a first-time homebuyer achieve their goal of homeownership. I work with some of the best local lenders who are well versed in different grants and city specific DPA programs.
  • Website: house2homefl.com

 

Republic Bank

  • Jessie Boniface, Mortgage Loan Originator
  • NMLS: 2034830
  • Phone: 727.528.5176
  • Email: jboniface@republicbank.com
  • Address: 6600 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33707
  • Republic Bank Mortgage, is committed to finding the home loan solution that fits your unique financial situation. For buyers with low-to-moderate income, their Neighborhood Housing Program offers the ability to purchase a home with a lower down payment.
  • Website: republicbank.com

 

Right Turn Realty, LLC

  • Tahisia Scantling, MBE & SBE Real Estate Broker
  • Address: 6591 70th Ave N Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  • Phone: 727-688-6559 or 1-800-867-5503
  • Email: tahisia@rturnrealty.com
  • Tahisia Scantling, is the Principal Real Estate Broker for Right Turn Realty, LLC and the Founder & CEO of Crossroad Consulting, A Benefit Corporation & holding company for RTR, LLC. Ms. Scantling graduated from the University of West Florida with her Master's Degree of Administration.
  • Ms. Scantling launched Right Turn Realty, LLC (RTR) in 2019. Her vision is to become a game changer for buyers, sellers & Realtors. Ms. Scantling is known for her extensive market knowledge with over 20 years in commercial & residential real estate, retail & business banking, consulting and exemplary customer service. Over the years, she has built her real estate business from referrals. She has assisted with several hundreds of real estate transactions throughout her tenure including working with first time home buyers, commercial sales, and real estate closing agents. She is passionate and caring and will go the extra mile for her clients.
  • We provide more than selling a home to our client. We assist them in picking the right lender, credit restoration if needed, and discuss the best financing options available to them to include DPA.
  • I was a first generation homebuyer who was on the section 8 program. Through hard work, drive and good mentoring from my relator, I was able to buy my first home at 25. I experienced what every buyer goes through firsthand and that is why I want to be involved in this program. I'm passionate about my community and believe that the first start to building wealth is through homeownership. Now we own 7 properties and I encourage my tenants to consider buying.
  • Website: rturnrealty.com

 

Synovus Bank

 

Turnkey Real Estate Brokerage, LLC

  • Shawntavia Turner, Broker
  • NMLS: 2233827
  • Phone: 727-320-6566
  • Email: shawntavia@turnkeytampa.com
  • I am passionate about affordable housing and am dedicated to serving our community. I am also a developer that partners with the city of St. Pete to build affordable houses. My company is centrally located to serve all.
  • I am also a mortgage broker that can provide the lending and enroll buyer in DPA programs. I have worked with SPHA clients and currently assisting them with loan approvals and representing them in their purchase transactions. I work with nonprofits who perform the homebuyers education courses as well. I have closed several loans with DPA to affordable buyers.
  • Address: 3651 42nd Avenue South, 5149 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
  • Website: turnkeytampa.com

 

Valley Bank

  • Leo Diaz, Community Mortgage Officer
  • Address: 2028 E 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
  • Phone: 813-244-7597
  • Email: lediaz@valley.com
  • Mortgage products offered: VNB Community Advantage, VNB Community Plus, HomeReady, HomeOne, HomePossible, Medical Professional Program, FL Housing
  • They offer a First-Time Homebuyer Information Session called Journey to Homeownership where FTHBs can take before the actual Homebuyer Education through a HUD agency.
  • Credit qualifications required: VNB Community Plus & VNB Community Advantage Purchase - 620
  • Website: valley.com

 

Veritas Funding

  • Address: 10300 49th St N, Unit 118, Clearwater, FL 33762
  • Website: vfund.com

 

Waterstone Mortgage

  • Matt Landgraff, Senior Loan Originator
  • NMLS: 1861525
  • Waterstone Mortgage offers a wide variety of products. They have have FHA, VA, conventional, USDA loans. 100% financing Powerhouse 100 Loan and Down Payment Assistance programs.
  • Address: 4902 Eisenhower Blvd, Suite 380 & 385, Tampa, FL 33634
  • Phone: 352-573-7797
  • Email: MLandgraff@waterstonemortgage.com
  • Website: waterstonemortgage.com/apply?lar=mlandgraff

 

 

Resources


First time homebuyer & financial fitness classes

 

Credit building

 

Mortgage Calculator

 

Career

 

Small Business Support

 

Homeownership Programs

 

 

Credit Bureaus

 

Experian

  • 888-EXPERIAN 888-397-3742
  • P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
  • experian.com

 

Equifax

  • 888-EQUIFAX 888-378-4329
  • Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (ET)
  • Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (ET)
  • P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
  • equifax.com

 

TransUnion

  • 833-395-6938
  • Monday-Friday, 8 am to 11 pm (ET)
  • Saturday & Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm (ET)
  • P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000
  • transunion.com