The homes that are acquired and rehabilitated by Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. are funded by various state and federal funding sources and therefore the homes must be sold to individuals and families that meet certain family-income guidelines depending on the source of funding used.   For example, if the home was acquired and rehabilitated with HOME funds through either the cities of Scranton or Carbondale, homebuyers must meet the current year HUD Family-Income Guidelines which are displayed below: (Effective 8/18/2011)

                                                                                          Household Size 

                                                                                  1 Person        $32,550

                                                                                   2 Persons     $37,200

                                                                                   3 Persons     $41,850

                                                                                   4 Persons     $46,500

                                                                                  5 Persons      $50,250

                                                                                  6 Persons      $53,950

However, if the home was acquired and rehabilitated with funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) which we are utilizing for homes in South Scranton , the income guidelines can be up to 120% of Lackawanna County’s median income ($58,100).  For example, family income for 1 person - $48,800; 2 people - $55,800; 3 people - $62,750; 4  people - $69,700; 5 people - $75,300, etc.  To prepare homebuyers for homeownership and to make them better homeowners, Lackawanna Neighbors and other agencies offering financial assistance to assist with homebuying, require potential homebuyers to complete Homeownership Workshops prior to purchasing a home.  Classes are conducted by the following HUD certified counseling agencies:

For an NSP funded home in South Scranton:

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Scranton, 709 E. Market St., Scranton, PA  18509.  To register for counseling, please phone Chad Pettuss at 570.558.2490.

For a HOME funded homes in Scranton and Carbondale, please call NHS or any of the following: 

United Neighborhood Centers (UNC) 414 Olive St., Scranton, PA  18503 and 66 N. Church St., Carbondale, PA 18407.   To schedule an appointment with a counselor, please phone Jill Moyle at 570.343.8835 ext. 112.

Catholic Social Services (CSS) 516 Fig St., Scranton, PA 18505.  To schedule an appointment, please phone Mike Coyle at 570.558.3019.

Due to specific regulations of the funding sources used, other homebuyer requirements are as follows: 

Homes purchased by income-eligible individuals and/or families must utilize the home as their PRIMARY residence for a period of 15 years which means that it can not be used for speculation purposes.  The homebuyer and/or their family members must live in the home during this affordability period and it can not be rented to others.  If you sell the home within the 15 year affordability period, it must be sold to another income-eligible individual or family that meets the family income guidelines that are in effect at the time of sale and at a sales price that is affordable to potential homebuyers meeting the income guidelines.  This regulation is enforced through a deed stipulation and you will not be able to sell the home unless you comply with this requirement.

Lackawanna Neighbors does not provide financing for the purchase of the homes; however, financial assistance may be available through the following local government programs and banking institutions depending upon where the home is located (either Scranton or Carbondale):

City of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD)   homebuyer program that offers forgivable grants up to $10,000 for downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that are purchasing homes in Scranton.   For NSP homes, OECD offers forgivable grants up to $12,000 for downpayment and closing cost assistance.  For information or to apply for financial assistance, please phone Liza Carroll, Director of Housing, at 570.348.4216 for further information.

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) is administering the Lackawanna County First Time Homebuyer Program that offers downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that want to purchase homes anywhere in Lackawanna County, including Scranton.  Please call Ellen Holden at 570.558.2490 for further information or to obtain an application.

Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. has recently started a Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Luzerne County.  This project is funded through the Luzerne County Office of Community Development in Wilkes-Barre, PA  and homes acquired and rehabilitated will be available to income eligible individuals and families using the above income table for Scranton and Carbondale.   All homebuyers must complete counseling through the Luzerne County’s Homebuyer Program and may also be eligible to receive financial assistance through that program.  For further, please contact Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. at 570.963.7616.

Filed under: News by Jody