Housing Programs
Ripon First Housing Program
Now Accepting Applications!
The Ripon First Housing Program (RFHP) focuses on bringing home ownership within reach to families and individuals who are buying a home for the first time. RFHP offers qualifying first-time homeowners with down payment assistance for purchasing a new home in the city. The program is designed to help close the affordability gap for many lower income households currently unable to purchase their first home without assistance. Funds from the program will be available in the form of a one-time forgivable loan. Grants will be funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, to the extent funds are available, in Ripon, at the sole discretion of the City of Ripon. The initial funding allocation for the program shall not exceed $15,000.00. Important byproducts of the program include attracting new and diverse residents to the community and addressing employer workforce retention challenges.
Eligibility Requirements: Eligible applicants will be first-time home buyers seeking to purchase a home within the City of Ripon. First-time home buyer is defined as an individual or an individual and his or her spouse who have not had ownership interest in a property prior to the purchase of a home with program funds. Any individual who is a single parent may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time home buyer under this program on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse. The primary applicant must be 18 years old or older and have the minimum income necessary to qualify for a loan from a lender. If married, both spouses must apply for the grant and loan from a lender. There are no income restrictions on applying for this program. Applicants may only pay up to 30% of their gross monthly income for a housing payment, including principal, interest, insurance and taxes. Applicants must prove the existence of a legitimate primary mortgage lender or other financing acceptable to the City of Ripon. At the time of application, the homebuyer must have an accepted sales contract. A property inspection is required for this program. Homes eligible under this program include single-family homes, single-family condo units, and twin-homes in Ripon. Applicants must intend to use the property purchased as their principal residence and must live in the property on a year-round basis.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds: Funds may be used for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers purchasing a single-family home, single-family condo unit, or twin-home in the City of Ripon. Mobile home purchase is not an eligible use. All decisions regarding grant fund disbursements, grant eligibility, and the uses of grant funds will be made by the City Administrator’s office.
Grant Terms and Conditions: If funding is available, the maximum amount of grant, in the form of a deferred loan, will be five thousand dollars ($5,000). Applicant(s) must be prepared to commit to living primarily in the property for a minimum of three (3) years. The program provides a grant, in the form of a deferred loan, for down payment and reasonable closing costs. The deferred loan shall not exceed $5,000. A lien or second mortgage will be placed upon the property for three (3) years and will be released, provided the owner(s) maintain and occupy the property as their primary residence and do not rent or sell the property within three (3) years. If the property is sold or rented within the 3-year period, the owner shall return all the financial assistance received. The amount is not pro-rated. If sold the full amount of assistance due back will be paid out of the net proceeds at closing. The program will allow for loan subordinations for the purpose of refinancing to a lower percentage rate or shorter loan term only. Applicant(s) must be approved for and obtain a first mortgage loan by an approved FHA, VA, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Wisconsin licensed mortgage lender. Loan terms secured by housing under this program shall be considered reasonable in the local primary lending trade. The interest rate for the mortgage must be reasonable and customary. The homebuyer, mortgage lender, and settlement agent will be notified by the city that a check will be disbursed. The check will be issued to the settlement agent. The City of Ripon Administration office will keep record of the dates of grant approval and program awards. The City of Ripon reserves the right to take and use photographs, as well as develop project summaries of individual construction projects for publicity purposes.
For questions regarding the program, please contact: Adam Sonntag, City Administrator City of Ripon 100 Jackson St. Ripon, WI 54971 (920) 748-4914 asonntag@cityofripon.com. Program information is attached below.
Sandmar Lot Sale Program
Now Accepting Applications
The City of Ripon Sandmar Lot Credit Housing Program focuses on increasing housing stock in the city and assists owners and/or developers (“Buyer”) by reducing the price of residential lots in the Sandmar development. The program offers qualifying applicants a $14,000 lot sale credit for a vacant single-family residential lot for as low as $16,000 to construct single-family homes. The program uses partnerships and lot sale credits to offer these residential lots at a significant discount. The number of eligible lots shall be capped at ten (10) for this program starting in 2025.
How It Works
1. The City of Ripon uses a partnership agreement with Sandmar Properties, LLC to assist the purchaser with the acquisition of a vacant residential lot in the Sandmar Development.
2. The City provides a grant to the buyer under the following terms:
a. The purchase price for the lot shall be negotiated between the buyer and Sandmar Properties, LLC.
b. The City shall provide a grant at closing not to exceed Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00).
c. Sandmar Properties, LLC shall provide at closing a lot sale credit not to exceed Seven Thousand ($7,000.00).
d. The buyer shall be responsible for the balance to acquire the lot from Sandmar Properties, LLC.
e. The buyer agrees to the following installment payment schedule via special assessments from the city for the grant:
i. An assessment of $2,000 shall be levied against the property if the buyer fails to construct a single-family home on the lot and obtain an occupancy permit within (1) year from closing.
ii. An assessment of $2,500 shall be levied against the property if the buyer fails to construct a single-family home on the lot and obtain an occupancy permit within (2) years from closing.
iii. An assessment of $2,500 shall be levied against the property if the buyer fails to construct a single-family home on the lot and obtain an occupancy permit within (3) years from closing.
f. If buyer constructs a single-family residential home and receives an occupancy permit from the City of Ripon Building Inspector on the parcel purchased herein, the remaining installment payments not yet due at the time said house is completed shall not be required.
g. If the buyer fails to construct a single-family home on the lot under the terms of this agreement, the installment payments shall be assessed as a special charge to the real estate in accordance with the schedule in Section (e.) above as a grant repayment.
Program Terms and Conditions
Please allow up to sixty (60) days to close. Program funding and lot availability is subject to change. This program does have limited funding and may be suspended by the city at any time.
Lot Eligibility: Vacant lots in the Sandmar residential neighborhood would be available for the program. The Buyer is encouraged to have all housing plans and financing established prior to closing on the lot. Prior to beginning work, the new home shall be insured against loss by fire and other perils, in accordance with lending institution standards and all construction permits obtained. In addition, prior to beginning, all taxes and utility bills must be current and kept current. The City of Ripon reserves the right to take and use photographs, as well as develop project summaries of individual construction projects for publicity purposes.
For questions regarding the program, please contact: Adam Sonntag, City Administrator City of Ripon 100 Jackson St. Ripon, WI 54971 (920) 748-4914 asonntag@cityofripon.com
Exterior Home Repair Program (EHRP): Currently not accepting applications.
CDBG HOUSING PROGRAM
The City of Ripon recently received notice of another Community Development Block Grant for Housing Rehabilitation. The funds will be loaned at 0% interest to eligible households for home repairs. Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis. There is no cost to fill out an application and all information submitted is strictly confidential.
Funds are available for the following types of projects:
HOMEOWNERS
These funds will be lent to eligible households for home repairs. The loan is a 0%, deferred payment loan – you do not pay it back until you sell the house or no longer live there.
TENANTS
Loans are available to assist with purchasing a home. The loan is a 0%, deferred payment loan – you do not pay it back until you sell the house or no longer live there. Funds can assist you with down payment and closing costs. There will also be funds available to make repairs to the home that you purchase.
LANDLORDS
Installment loans are available for landlords who rent to tenants that are low- to moderate- income. The loan is a 0% interest loan. Contact the program administrator for more details.
The loan can be used to make the following types of repairs:
|
☼ |
Handicap Accessibility |
☼ |
Electrical Upgrades |
|
☼ |
Replace Windows & Doors |
☼ |
Connect Water & Sewer Lines |
|
☼ |
Roofing |
☼ |
Painting, Siding, Porch Repairs |
|
☼ |
Lead-Based Paint Removal |
☼ |
Other General Improvements |
|
☼ |
Repair/Replace Heating Systems, Water Heaters & Plumbing Systems |
||
In order to be eligible, your income must be below the following limits for Fond du Lac County:
|
Family Size |
Income Limit
1 - $42,200
2 - $48,200
3 - $54,250
4 - $60,250
5 - $65,100
6 - $69,900
7 - $74,750
8 - $79,550
For more information or to obtain an application for the CDBG Housing Program, please contact Kari Justmann at the Housing Program Office at 1-800-552-6330. Applications are also available at City Hall.