Council modifies $1 million state housing allocation to boost down-payment assistance for 100‑homes program; staff says 48 units remain

The Jackson City Council voted to approve changes to the city and housing commission portions of a 2024 state allocation grant that staff described as a $1,000,000 legislative allocation. According to city staff member Corey, the grant is split into three $300,000 awards for the housing commission, Residents in Action (RIA) and another recipient, with an additional $100,000 allocated to the city for administrative fees.

Corey told the council the housing commission will reallocate some of its award to perform a full elevator overhaul rather than a smaller repair. The city's proposed change adds additional down-payment assistance layered onto the ARPA-funded 100 homes program to reach buyers who are slightly lower on the income scale. "We have 48 left to go," Corey said of the 100 homes program. He added: "We have 1,800 pending applications, and this is going to open up wide for folks that have really been on that line. They've got a good credit score ... 25,000 wasn't quite enough. This is going to provide that lifeline that we've been looking for."

Corey also said staff are exploring options to engage local realtors by proposing a flat commission model to help close more sales; he said staff would present that proposal at the next council meeting. The transcript records that Residents in Action's budget and scope are not changing as part of the action tonight; Corey emphasized that RIA's portion was not part of the proposed amendments.