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Council committee clears plan to file HUD amendment adding $350,000 to Wilmington First Start program
Summary
The Community Development and Urban Planning Committee reviewed a resolution to file a second substantial amendment to the city's annual action plan that would move $350,000 in CDBG funds to the Wilmington First Start homebuyer assistance program; committee discussion was informational and no committee vote was required.
Maria Cabrera, Council Member at Large and chair of the Community Development and Urban Planning Committee, opened the session to consider a resolution authorizing the mayor to file a second substantial amendment to the city fiscal year 2025/federal fiscal year 2024 annual action plan with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Director Wier, the city’s director of real estate and housing, described the amendment to members of council. “This amendment would provide an additional $350,000 of federal funds to the Wilmington First Start homebuyers program,” he said, and explained the money would be drawn from unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) balances.
The amendment would add the funds to the FY2025 activities list and target buyers who meet federal income limits at 80 percent of area median income. Under program rules, eligible households may receive up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs and, depending on income and debt, an additional affordability subsidy of up to $25,000 to ensure mortgage affordability. Director Wier said the First Start program began in December 2023 and that CDBG-supported assistance to date has helped about 45 homebuyers, while general-fund assistance has helped roughly 20. He reported current available balances of roughly $78,000 in the general fund and $84,000 in the CDBG account; the proposed $350,000 would be allocated from CDBG funds.
Council members asked for additional, practical information. Council Member Christian Willower requested a district-level breakdown of homebuyers assisted; Director Wier agreed to provide that. Council Member Owens asked to confirm the funding source; Director Wier identified it as CDBG. Several council members praised the program’s results and asked about outreach; Director Wier said the city conducts regular outreach with mortgage brokers and real estate agents and that staff will align budget requests later in the year to support the general-fund portion of the program.
The committee treated the item as an authorization to file with HUD; the chair noted the resolution “does not have to be voted out of committee” and the committee moved on without a committee vote. The resolution remains scheduled for further consideration by the full council at a later meeting.
