Goal #4 Improve affordable housing options

Improve affordable housing options and ownership opportunities for DeSoto residents.

City Work Plan

1. Create a first-time homeowner assistance program to increase home-ownership opportunities for DeSoto residents | City Manager’s Office| Start FY 2021 Q1 | Complete FY 2021 Q2

2. Consider expansion of the Over-65 Homestead Exemption to improve seniors’ ability to maintain homeownership in DeSoto | Finance | Start FY 2021 Q1 | Complete FY 2021 Q2

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1st Quarter Update
January 2021

The first-time homeowner program was approved by the City Council and the program guidelines were submitted to HUD and currently under review.  The City Council approved an agreement with non-profit BCL to host first-time homeowner courses, a requirement for approved applicants. The next phase of this program will focus on marketing the program to DeSoto Realtors and Realtor Associations. The over-65 Homestead Exemption draft was presented to City Council in December 2020. The final draft was presented and approved by City Council at the January 19, 2021 meeting.