ST. CROIX — Virgin Islands Housing Authority tenants living in the Williams Delight housing community are now closer to taking advantage of a homeownership opportunity nearly three decades in the making that allows them to purchase the houses they are renting.
The residents learned about the availability of $15,000 grants toward the purchase of their houses in addition to an obligation from VIHA to fund at least $15,000 in home repairs during a meeting Thursday evening in the Williams Delight Center.
Senator Marise James told members of the Williams Delight Residents Council during the meeting that she proposed the idea to Governor Albert Bryan Jr. to utilize federal funds for the grants. She said she made the suggestion after hearing residents from the neighborhood testify about their financial “struggles” toward homeownership last year during a Senate meeting.
“This homeownership started for you in 1995, which is almost 30 years ago,” James said.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved its Section 5(h) homeownership program in 1995, offering public housing agencies a flexible way to sell public housing units to low-income families that provides a beneficial arrangement to both the buyer and PHA that sells the unit.
James told the residents who attended the meeting why it was important for her to coordinate with the governor so federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act could be utilized to offer the grants.
“It gives you the opportunity to build wealth because that’s what homeownership does,” she said. “It gives you the opportunity to establish a safe, stable, and secure place for you and your family, and for your children and your grandchildren. It connects you with your community. You become different when you are a homeowner.”
So far, VIHA has identified 70 houses that will be available for purchase by the tenants living in them. All 70 of the tenants will have an opportunity to apply for the grant program, but they must meet the VIHA requirements to finalize the purchase.
Dwayne Alexander, VIHA executive director, said during the meeting that the Housing Authority was “thankful and grateful” the governor and James worked out a grant option toward the purchase of the homes.
“Seventy of these units will be sold,” he said. “Fourteen of them sold back in 1995, and it’s been a long trek to get these units sold and put these in the hands of residents.”
Alexander said one of the good things about becoming a homeowner is the ability to control house payments. He also discussed how purchasing a home is a good investment.
“With the escalating values of properties, typically most of these properties are valued right now close to $60,000, $70,000,” he said. “So, the minute that you move into these properties, or purchase these properties you have a lot of equity in these properties, so that’s a very, very good thing.”
Alexander also shared more good news for the residents.
“One of the key things is that the Housing Authority will build out $15,000 of repairs of these units,” he said.
James pointed out the $15,000 in renovations that VIHA will cover are separate from the $15,000 grants that will be available. She said the Housing Authority will now work with the Williams Delight Residents Council to come up with the process of applying for the grants that will include the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development as the third-party fiduciary.
Gladys Krieger Washington, St. Croix Foundation board chair, said during the meeting that the Foundation is a 33-year-old philanthropic institution based in Christiansted that has a strong history of financial responsibility and fiscal accountability. Since Hurricane Hugo struck in September 1989, she said St. Croix Foundation has shepherded $40 million into the territory.
Although the grant-application process has not yet been determined, Washington assured the Williams Delight residents that St. Croix Foundation has a “stellar” track record as a third-party fiduciary.
“They have never had a problem with handling the money of other people, and we often get large grants from foundations in the states that is then distributed to nonprofits that work in the community here,” she said. “We will have that accountability with the money that’s being given to you through the government.”
During a question-and-answer segment with residents, the discussion focused on the complexities of purchasing homes to include interest on mortgages or loans, and insurance requirements. Residents also questioned whether the $15,000 in home repairs to be completed by VIHA would meet quality standards.
As VIHA moves forward to develop the grant-application process with the Williams Delight residents and the St. Croix Foundation, James stressed the need to include a component to ensure quality repairs will be made to the homes.
The Virgin Islands received $557 million in ARPA funds that are being used in different ways, including for the VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program, James said. She said she recently received notice from the governor that ARPA funds would be available to fund the $15,000 grants for qualifying residents in Williams Delight who would like to purchase their homes. After trying to come up with a name to call the grant program, she said the only thing she could think of came from the Holy Bible.
“And it’s about hope and future,” she said. “This is hope and a future for you, and I believe strongly that these grants are a beacon of hope for your community.”
The homes, which are more than 50 years old, are being sold for $22,000 for two bedrooms, $25,000 for three bedrooms, and $30,000 for four bedrooms, James said. Since the grants will be limited to $15,000, she said a tenant living in a two-bedroom home who qualifies for a grant would be able to purchase it for $7,000.
“That is a great deal,” James said.
