Hermitage to launch first-time homebuyers pilot program

HERMITAGE, Pa. (WKBN) — The city of Hermitage announced that it will launch a First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program next week.

The pilot program was adopted by city commissioners last month.

The assistance is a $5,000 grant payable to the closing/settlement agent for disbursement. No lien, the right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged, will be placed on the property. The transaction must be closed within 60 days of the application, with an extension available in limited circumstances.

The program is being funded by the city’s Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.

Hermitage Director of Business and Community Development Mark Longietti says the city has been doing a number of projects to grow the local community.

“We’ve met with local realtors,” Longietti said. “They have a lot of folks that want to move into Hermitage, and we need to make sure that they have the housing opportunities available here.”

Eligible applicants must:

• Have not owned a principal residence in the city within the last three years (a couple is eligible if either individual meets this requirement)
• Be an individual and not a corporate or other form of entity
• Purchase a single-family home (condos and townhouses are separated by a ground-to-roof wall are eligible) as their personal, primary residence and not a rental or investment property
• Purchase the home in a bona fide arms-length transaction where realty transfer tax is assessed

The program will close once 15 applications have been accepted.

Applications will be available at the Municipal Building, 800 N. Hermitage Road, starting Monday, Sept. 16, or online at www.hermitage.net . For further questions, contact Mark Longietti at 724-981-0800, ext. 1130, or at mlongietti@hermitage.net .

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