BLOOMINGTON – Mayor John Hamilton announced the launch of a $100,000 no-interest, down-payment assistance pilot program to help up to ten police officers and ten firefighters purchase homes as an incentive to serve and live in the city of Bloomington.
This pilot program will pay $10,000 per year over ten years to sworn public safety officers to pay off the down-payment loan and ultimately provide $100,000 in home equity.
To be eligible for the program, participants must have been employed for one year and completed training and their probationary period. To receive the full benefit, they must remain employed with the City as a sworn firefighter or police officer throughout the 10-year term. The officers and firefighters must purchase a property within the City of Bloomington with an approved mortgage and maintain it as their primary residence.
The innovative program, among the nation’s most generous, is designed to accomplish several objectives. First, attracting and retaining sworn police officers and firefighters is an ongoing concern in Bloomington and nationwide, and by providing substantial financial support over ten years, the pilot program seeks to attract and retain officers more successfully.
Second, by enabling police officers and firefighters to live in the city where they work, better and deeper community connections are encouraged, and neighborhoods are safer with first responders living there. Mayor Hamilton has often said the more our community knows about our first responders, the better, and vice versa. Living in city neighborhoods with their families enhances those connections. It also reduces crucial travel time in the event of an emergency.
Third, by helping first responders buy homes in Bloomington and paying down their mortgages over ten years, the departments are helping employees build wealth and stability over time. After ten years of service, participants will have gained $100,000 in home equity paid for by the City.
“Our community strongly supports our public safety sworn officers in many ways,” said Mayor Hamilton. “This pilot program is designed to take that to another level, to help more of our dedicated professionals live right in our community, and to help them build connections and value through their years of service. I sincerely hope we see 20 folks take advantage of this pilot program and encourage our city government to expand it to more participants. I appreciate the support of the City Council thus far in launching this pilot.”
The City is collaborating on the program with JustChoice Lending, a division of Fahe, an experienced mortgage lender with a mission to expand opportunity for all, which will provide the down-payment loan. Participants can also apply for their regular purchase mortgage with JustChoice Lending or use any other first mortgage lender. Fahe and the city signed the cooperation agreement this week.
Mayor Hamilton announced his intention to develop this program in February, diversifying incentives for sworn police officers and firefighters. These include $750 in monthly rental assistance and $18,000 in one-time down-payment assistance for those who rent or purchase homes in the city, both currently available.
A maximum of ten sworn police officers and ten firefighters can use this pilot program; several eligible staff have already indicated their interest. New hires are eligible after one year of service, and transfers are available immediately if they have at least three years of relevant experience. Others interested in the program will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis; they should contact City Human Resources at hrmail@bloomington.in.gov.
About Fahe
Fahe is a network of 50+ community nonprofits serving Appalachia and other regions. Fahe provides people, especially those living in persistently poor rural counties, the opportunity to fulfill their potential through access to housing, community services, and inclusive local economies. JustChoice Lending is Fahe’s mortgage lending division, with more than 15 years of experience connecting families with financial resources to secure homeownership.
During the 2023 fiscal year, Fahe made total direct investments of $144.8 million. Total capital under management exceeded $300 million. Since 1980 Fahe has invested almost $2 billion and served more than 940,000 people. Learn more at fahe.org.
