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Centre County updates first-time homebuyer policy to expand flexibility; commissioners approve CDBG amendments and extensions
Summary
The board approved updates to the Centre County first-time homebuyer program to allow more flexibility around credit thresholds and expand potential assistance from $10,000 up to $15,000 in certain cases; staff also presented CDBG amendments extending Greg Township Community Center completion to October 2026.
Centre County commissioners on March 27 approved changes to the county’s first-time homebuyer policy designed to broaden eligibility and provide limited additional assistance for qualifying applicants.
Staff explained three primary changes: greater flexibility around credit-history thresholds (the county may consider applicants within 20 points of a benchmark if other evidence of financial stability exists); the possibility, with board approval, of offering additional assistance above the standard $10,000 cap up to a maximum of $15,000 in cases with extenuating circumstances; and increased flexibility in how participating lenders can allocate Act 137 funds between down payment and closing-cost assistance, subject to repayment rules on refinance.
"These updates reflect the commissioners’ commitment to helping more Centre County residents achieve homeownership while maintaining a fiscally responsible and well managed program," staff said.
Commissioners praised staff work on the program and highlighted that roughly 9–11 households used the program last year. Leslie also presented two CDBG-related items: readoption of the citizen participation plan and amendments to FY2022 and FY2023 subrecipient agreements with Greg Township to extend the community center restoration completion date from March to October 2026 to allow for environmental review and closeout documentation; staff said the project should be physically complete by August with closeout steps finished by October.
The board approved the homebuyer policy changes and the planning and community development items by voice vote. Staff noted environmental review steps remain ongoing for some CDBG projects.
