Housing | Programs

Inclusionary Housing

The City requires all new residential developments with 50 or more housing units to sell at least 10% of their units at an affordable price for low- to moderate-income residents. Homeowners can earn equity on the property while the homes remain affordable for a minimum number of years before they can be sold at market rate. Prospective buyers can also qualify for up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. For more information, contact the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium at 850-222-6609 or email kmiller@tallahasseelenders.org.

Eligibility
Total household income must be 100% of the area median income (AMI) or less, adjusted for family size, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applicants must demonstrate proof of income.

Down Payment Assistance

The City offers up to $12,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help low-income residents to purchase an affordable home and to start a path towards building equity and wealth. The program is administered by the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium (TLC) on behalf of the City. TLC also provides homebuyer education, credit and finance counseling and assistance in selecting a mortgage lender.

Eligibility
Total household income must be 80% of the area median income (AMI) or less, adjusted for family size, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applicants must demonstrate proof of income and assistance amount will be based on demonstrated need. In addition, clients must be able to gain approval for a home mortgage and attend TLC's homebuyer education classes.
Visit https://www.tallahasseelenders.org/down-payment-assistance.html to learn more. Apply online through the City's application portal here.

Community Land Trust

Tallahassee launched its first Community Land Trust (CLT) in March 2020 in partnership with Leon County and the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium. A CLT is a nonprofit entity governed by community stakeholders that can build and preserve affordable housing and can help stabilize neighborhoods by reducing the negative impacts of gentrification. In a traditional real estate sale, the owner owns the building and the land it sits on. CLTs keep homes affordable by leasing the land and selling only the house for low- to moderate-income people. Under this model homeowners can earn a portion of the equity on their home and eventually go on to buy a market rate home, while the CLT is able to keep the home affordable for the next owner.
Contact the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium at 850-222-6609 x100 for more information.

Construction Loan Program

Private developers may apply for a short-term construction loan to build affordable single-family homes (including duplexes, triplexes, and quadraplexes). Loans carry an annual interest rate of below the 'prime rate' as reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The loans are due and repayable to the City within 18 months from the date of the loan agreement or 6 months following the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (CO), whichever occurs first.

• Maximum loan of $175,000 per project, up to two project loans at a time
• Eligible uses for the funds include construction and major rehabilitation of single-family homes.

In addition to the loan, the City may offer other incentives to developers such as expedited permitting, and a waiver of water and sewer system and tap fees for homes whose purchasers have been identified upfront and whose income is at or below 80% AMI.

Eligibility

• Must be a private developer or contractor that is licensed and insured to perform such work.
• Must demonstrate capacity to develop affordable single-family housing units and/or experience working with the targeted homebuyers at 100% AMI or less.
• Must submit audited financial statements or financial statements prepared and signed by a Certified Public Accountant to demonstrate capacity to carry the loan and complete the proposed home construction in the event construction costs exceed the maximum $175,000 loan amount.

Applications are received on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply online through the City's application portal here.

Habitat City Build

Since 2017, the City Commission has partnered with the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity to construct affordable homes through a revolving fund supported by the State Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP). Tallahassee was one of the first cities to engage in this innovative partnership with Habitat and has since inspired several others across the state. In addition to the financial contribution, City employees and other volunteers have provided hundreds of hours of volunteer labor to build 2-3 homes each year for fellow neighbors in the community.

Home Repair Program

The purpose of the Home Repair Program is to improve the living conditions of low-income homeowners by removing health and safety hazards and by correcting exterior code violations. The program provides up to $12,500 in a forgivable loan to assist low-income property owners. The zero-interest loan requires no monthly payments. If the homeowner continues to occupy the home for a minimum of 5 years after the repairs are complete, then the loan amount is forgiven.

Typical repairs include:

• Plumbing repairs
• Structural repairs to the roof, ceiling, walls, floors, stairs, etc., where hazards exist
• Roof repair or replacement
• Heat repair or installation
• Electrical repairs where hazards exist
• Exterior painting
• Rafters, soffit and fascia repair
• Windows and screens
• Railings and stairs
• Landings and porches
• Yard clearings and debris removal when done in conjunction with repairs to the home

Eligibility

To receive assistance, the applicant must own and reside at the property located within the City limits. The household income cannot exceed 50% Area Median Income or 80% Area Median Income if a household member is special needs or disabled. The home must be listed as a homestead and the market value as determined by the Leon County Property Appraiser cannot exceed $170,000 (this amount is subject to change annually).

Applications are received on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply online through the City's application portal here.

Home Rehabilitation Program

The goal of the Home Rehabilitation Program is to enhance and strengthen neighborhoods and preserve existing housing stock through rehabilitation. The program provides up to $25,000 in a forgivable loan to address significant improvements with priority for health and safety hazards. The assistance is provided in the form of a zero-interest loan that requires no monthly payments. If the homeowner continues to occupy the home for a minimum of 10 years after the repairs are complete, then the loan amount is forgiven.

The rehabilitation is completed in partnership with community agencies and typically includes:

• roof replacements,
• window repair/replacement,
• flooring replacement,
• bathroom modifications, or
• plumbing replacement

The City may also fund Rental Rehabilitation in the event funding is available. Units must be rented to income eligible applicants. For more information, please call the Housing Division at 850-891-6566.

Eligibility

To receive assistance, the applicant must own and reside at the property located within the City limits. Homeowners must have an income that does not exceed 50% Area Median Income or 80% Area Median Income if a household member is special needs or disabled. The home must be listed as a homestead and the market value as determined by the Leon County Property Appraiser cannot exceed $170,000 (this amount is subject to change annually).

Applications are received on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply online through the City's application portal here.

Home Accessibility Program

The Home Accessibility Program removes architectural or structural barriers from the homes of disabled persons. Up to $12,500 is provided through local partners such as the Center for Independent Living (Ability 1st) to make handicap accessibility improvement. Typical repairs include installing:

• wheelchair ramps,
• hand railings and grab bars
• raised countertops and other kitchen modifications,
• wider doorways, and
• ramps for easy ingress/egress.

Eligibility

To receive assistance, the applicant must own and reside at the property located within the City limits. Homeowners must have an income that does not exceed 50% Area Median Income or 80% Area Median Income if a household member is special needs or disabled. The home must be listed as a homestead and the market value as determined by the Leon County Property Appraiser cannot exceed $170,000 (this amount is subject to change annually).

Applications are received on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply online through the City's application portal here. Call the Center for Independent Living, also known as Ability 1st, at 850-575-9621 or visit https://www.ability1st.info for more information.

City CARES Home Repair Program

The City CARES Home Repair Program (CCHRP) is funded State CARES Act funds to stabilize and preserve the homes of residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of CCHRP is to improve the living conditions of households affected by COVID-19 by removing health and safety hazards and/or architectural barriers from their homes. Up to $15,000 is available for eligible repairs including but not limited to:

• Sewage backup and other plumbing repairs
• HVAC repair or replace
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Roof repair or replace
• Accessibility challenges
• Broken or leaking windows or screens
• Exterior paint deterioration
• Dangerous/rotting railings, stairs, landings, or porches
• Rotting interior flooring

Eligibility

The applicant must be a homeowner living within the City limits, with documented household income at 120% Area Median Income (AMI) or less. Mobile homes are eligible if the unit was manufactured after June 1994 and was installed by a professional/licensed installer. Applicants must prove that they have been impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency since March 2020. Reasons may include loss of income, increased cost of health precautions, increased cost of utilities, dependent care, and cost of living expenses, among others. Priority given to elderly (62 years+), disabled, and low income.

Home Resilience Program

The Home Resilience Program is a one-time grant assistance to income eligible homeowners to help secure their home against future natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding. Up to $12,500 in a forgivable loan is available for repairs to storm damaged structures or to help secure the home against future damage. Assistance is provided as a zero-interest loan requiring no monthly payments. If the homeowner occupies the home for five years after the repairs are complete, the loan is forgiven. Typical work includes:

• removal of hazardous trees,
• roof repair or replacement, and
• elevate at-risk hot water heaters and HVAC units in flood prone areas

Eligibility

To receive assistance, the applicant must own and reside at the property located within the City limits. Homeowners must have an income that does not exceed 50% Area Median Income or 80% Area Median Income if a household member is special needs or disabled. The home must be listed as a homestead and the market value as determined by the Leon County Property Appraiser cannot exceed $170,000 (this amount is subject to change annually).

Applications are received on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply online through the City's application portal here.

Applying for assistance is as simple as a phone call or click away! You can apply online for through the City's portal at https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/tallahassee/Participant/Login.

If you need assistance applying, please contact the Housing Division at housing@talgov.com or call 850-891-6566 to speak with staff.

General Income Eligibility Guidelines

2020 Income Limit by Number of Persons in Household

Frequently Asked Questions