By: Nora Sovo
While the Comanche Nation Housing Authority’s (CNHA) lease-to-own program placed fifteen families in the past year, more than double its average, other services were also provided to assist our Tribal members. CNHA, a Comanche Nation-affiliated organization that promotes self-sufficiency and provides affordable, safe and decent housing to low-income families, offers six assistance programs to help members with their housing needs .
Its programs include the down payment and closing cost grant, Elder home rehabilitation program, rental program, student housing program, homeownership lease purchase program and CNHA home improvement program (HIP).
How it Works
The down payment and closing cost grant assists with costs associated with the closing of a home mortgage loan, such as the appraisal fee and home inspection fee. Elders can receive up to $15,000, and all others are eligible to receive as much as $10,000.
The Elder home rehabilitation program is a social benefit program intended to promote the general welfare through home rehabilitation and grant assistance. Qualified elders, age 62 and up, can receive up to $8,000 in assistance for home repairs, renovation and rehabilitation.
CHNA’s rental program provides affordable housing for individuals or families by placing them in available rental units owned by the Housing Authority.
The home improvement program (HIP) assists with emergency home repairs to ensure members’ homes are safe and sustainable.
The student housing program offers low-cost housing to full-time students attending one of the following institutions: Cameron University, Platt College or Great Plains Technology Center. CNHA has eight one-bedroom apartments reserved specifically for this program.
The homeownership lease purchase program is a lease-to-own program that provides families the opportunity for homeownership without requiring them to meet standard credit score requirements or make a down payment. CNHA contributes to the cost of the home by deducting $50,000 from the final sale price, paying the taxes and insurance associated with the property and dropping the interest rate to zero.
CNHA’s programs strive to provide a practical approach to standard homeownership and other housing initiatives across five counties in Southwest Oklahoma, including Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Kiowa and Tillman. The Elder home rehabilitation and home improvement programs also serve Grady and Stephens counties.
“We have served the community for over 60 years and provided more than 850 homes to Tribal members,” said Russell Sossamon, executive director of CNHA. “We are committed to providing affordable and safe housing to promote the community’s general welfare.”
How to Qualify
If you or someone you know needs housing assistance, they can complete an application to determine if they meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) low-income (where applicable) and other program requirements. Those who qualify will be placed on a waiting list, and it is essential to annually update the application to remain on the list.
For more information about program requirements and low-income guidelines, call 580-357-4956 or visit www.comanchehousing.com.
