HomeMy WebLinkAboutMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA AND THE CSRA ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AUTHORITY FY 2017 & 2018 Memorandum of Understanding By and Between
Augusta, Georgia ,
and the
CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority
FY 2017 & 2018
Background and Intent
This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)clarifies the roles,responsibilities and Augusta,Georgia
Homeownership Program.
This Agreement,is made and entered into as of the i 2' day of r; i 2018("the effective date")by
and between Augusta,Georgia,acting through the Housing and Co unity Development Department
(hereinafter referred to as"HCD")—with principal offices at 925 Laney Walker Blvd, 3rd Floor,Augusta,
Georgia,as party of the first part,hereinafter called"Augusta and CSRA Economic Opportunity
Authority,a Georgia nonprofit organization with an expertise in homeownership counseling and
homebuyer assistance and HUD Certified, organized pursuant to the Laws of the State of Georgia,
hereinafter called"CSRA EOA"as party in the second.
WHEREAS,the sole purpose of this MOU is to encourage cooperation between Augusta,Georgia,
CSRA EOA)and to further detail the separate and distinct roles and responsibilities of each party in the
HAP program of Housing and Community Development :
WHEREAS,there is a growing mismatch between the local workforce and the local housing stock
affordable to them,and;
WHEREAS,Employers,such as Housing and Community Development,are looking at ways to improve
their workforce's access to local homeownership opportunities to reduce long commutes and the resulting
tardiness,turnover and recruitment costs,and;
WHEREAS,CSRA EOA,has the expertise to provide quality and efficient services to Augusta,Georgia
in assisting their residents purchase homes through counseling sessions and linkages with appropriate
lenders,and;
WHEREAS,CSRA EOA supports such linkages between residents and housing organizations as part of
its objective of increasing the workforce housing stock while strategically increasing the constituency of
affordable housing advocates,and;
WHEREAS,CSRA EOA have worked with the Housing and Community Development(HCD)to
develop additional tools to strengthen employer-assisted housing initiatives,and;
WHEREAS,the residents will participate only on a voluntary basis in the HAP program put forward by
Augusta,Georgia;
WHEREAS,CSRA EOA agrees to work with other local nonprofits such as Sand Hills Urban
Development and East Augusta CDC in administering other select counseling programs;
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THEREFORE,Augusta Housing and Community Development and CSRA Economic Opportunity
Authority agree that it is in the best interest of all concerned to enter into this MOU.
Eligibility Determinations
Residents will be received on a first-come,first-serve basis. To be eligible for services through the HAP
program,ranging from homebuyer education and counseling from CSRA EOA to down payment/closing
cost assistance,applicants will have to meet the following criteria:
a) Household income must not exceed the following household income limits(80%of AMI):
1 PERSON 2 PERSON 3 PERSON 4 PERSON 5 PERSON
6 PERSON
$34,750 $39,700 $44,650 $49,600 $53,600
$57,550
b) Be interested in purchasing a home within Augusta, Georgia city limits.
c) Able and willing to contribute at least$500/$1000 of their own money towards their home
purchase(depending on income).
d) Maintain home as principal residency throughout the affordability period of said property.
e) Be interested in purchasing a home within Augusta,Georgia city limits.
f) Such other conditions as may be required by the parties hereto.
Roles and Responsibilities
It is understood that HCD and CSRA EOA must work together as a team to effectively meet the housing
needs of Augusta,GA's residents. This level of collaboration will require thorough and timely
communication between all parties.However,the parties to this MOU understand their separate and
distinct responsibilities,including but not limited to the following:
Augusta,GA is committed to make housing a viable option for residents who wish to live in the city
Accordingly,HCD agrees to:
1. Partner with CSRA EOA and incorporate and market the HAP program to the residents.
2. Provide to residents funds for down payment/closing cost assistance and homebuyer subsidy.
3. Provide to CSRA EOA,a$1000 annual stipend,at$250 per quarter. These fees are for the
administration of the program and provision of homebuyer education and individualized follow-up
services to eligible employees.
4. Distribute marketing materials to employees.
HCD shall have no obligations under this Memorandum of Understanding other than those outlined
above.
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CSRA EOA will coordinate and fully administer the HAP Program,and will consult,advise and assist
HCD and its interested residents in every aspect of the HAP Program. Without limitation of the
foregoing,CSRA EOA will:
1) Provide credit counseling and homebuyer education to residents.
2) Partner with the HCD Affordable Housing staff and Sand Hills Urban Development and East
Augusta CDC to incorporate and market the HAP program.
3) Promote quality program administration and accountability to HCD.
4) Provide residents assistance in selecting their professional team of local lenders,realtors,and/or
home inspectors.
6) Comply with all laws and ordinances connected with housing counseling.
9) Provide quarterly reports to HCD on the progress of the HAP program. See attached Reports.
Confidentiality
All parties agree that by virtue of entering into this MOU they will have access to certain confidential
information regarding the other party's operations related to this project.None of the parties bound in this
MOU will at any time disclose confidential information and/or material without the consent of the subject
party unless such disclosure is authorized by this MOU or required by law or court order.Unauthorized
disclosure of confidential information shall be considered a material breach of this MOU. Where
appropriate,releases will be secured before confidential information is exchanged. Confidential
information will be handled with the utmost discretion and judgment. This confidentiality paragraph shall
survive the termination of this MOU.
Nondiscrimination
There shall be no discrimination of any person or group of persons on account of race, color, creed,
religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, handicap, ancestry or national origin in the
implementation of the housing policies described in this MOU.
Modification
This MOU may not be modified or amended except by written agreement executed by the parties hereto.
Counterparts
This MOU may be executed in one or more counterparts,each of which shall be deemed an original,but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Severability
The parties hereto intend and believe that each provision in this MOU comports with all applicable local,
state and federal laws and judicial decisions. However, if any provision in this MOU is found by a court
of law to be in violation of any applicable ordinance, statute, law, administrative or judicial decision, or
public policy, and if such court should declare such provision to be illegal, void or unenforceable as
written, then such provision shall be given force to the fullest possible extent that the same is legal, valid
and enforceable and the remainder of this MOU shall be construed as if such provision was not contained
therein.
Construction
The headings of the MOU are for convenience only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
Where the context so requires,words used in singular shall include the plural and vice versa,and words of
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one gender shall include all other genders. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of
any other agreement and the terms and conditions of this MOU, the terms and conditions of this MOU
shall prevail.
Legal Review
The parties hereto acknowledge that they have been advised by legal counsel of their choice in connection
with the interpretation,negotiation,drafting and effect of this MOU and they are satisfied with such legal
counsel and the advice which they have received.
Applicable Law
This MOU shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois,
without regard to conflict of laws principles.
Term
The term of this MOU shall be for 2 years (FY 2017 and 2018), provided that this MOU is terminable at
will in writing, at any earlier time, for any reason, by AHCD ; provided that AHCD shall pay CSRA
EOA E] for any and all services performed prior to termination.
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ARTICLE XVII. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement is executed in two (2) counterparts—each of which shall be deemed an original
and together shall constitute one and the same Agreement with one counterpart being delivered
to each party hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties have set their hands and seals as of the date first written
above:
ATTEST: AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
(Augusta)
„.UAL,-----",......... .m .„,
..SEA t _w,--,.. .... . ,
By:
..�,;,,,.. , / o&P Hardie Davis,Jr. Date
9l;," di., Os Its Mayor
C if.a ;11 t44thr 1 X14 ,. gi I; 1 36
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KAssit 11: anice A. Jaciii Date
Administrate
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vAtuevem "eh .c V . _ 1
Z wthorne Wel Jr. at
Director,AHCD t
ATTEST: conomc Opportunity CSRA EiO np tv Authority
(Grantee)
Notary Pubec.Richmond County.Georgia
SEAL: My Commission 6ipi es Oct, 11,2021 / /
Its:
z" ) addl.\
(Plain :_' )
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