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Council approves Keys to Community homeownership pilot to help residents buy and fix homes
Summary
The council voted 5-0 to launch the Keys to Community pilot, a suite of Measure Q- and PLHA-funded programs including a forgivable up to $120,000 homebuyer loan, a $30,000 rehab loan, and up to $10,000 exterior beautification grants aimed at households at or below 120% AMI.
The Ontario City Council approved a pilot homeownership program aimed at helping local residents purchase and rehabilitate homes.
Helen Mackeler, executive director of community life and culture, said the Keys to Community suite — scheduled to launch in July 2025 — will include a first‑time homebuyer loan, a homeowner rehabilitation loan and an exterior beautification grant. "The purpose of the Keys to Community program is to aid Ontario residents to purchase or improve their homes and incentivize long term community investment," Mackeler said. Staff said the pilot would use Measure Q funds and permanent local housing allocation (PLHA) funds, with approximately $1,800,000 proposed for the initial pilot.
Under staff recommendations, the homebuyer loan will provide a maximum of $120,000 for down payment or closing-cost assistance, amortized as a 30‑year, no‑interest forgivable loan with an initial 40% equity‑sharing component that declines 10 percentage points every five years. A staff presentation described a companion homeowner rehabilitation loan of up to $30,000 and a nonrepayable exterior beautification grant of up to $10,000 for curb‑appeal projects. Eligibility will target households at or below 120% of area median income; staff noted the current San Bernardino County example of $124,700 for a family of four.
Council members asked about property types and eligibility; staff confirmed townhomes and condominiums qualify and that homebuyers must qualify through a bona fide lender. The council approved the pilot by an electronic vote of 5-0. The city will return with program documents and implementation details as the pilot launches.
