Community Development and Redevelopment (CD&R) administers various housing programs for residents within unincorporated areas of Tulare County. Currently, the following programs are available: Housing Rehabilitation
First Time Homebuyers
Emergency Repair
Infill New Construction
Affordable Subdivision Projects
Multi-Family Housing Projects Funding is secured through federal and state grants, with assistance from Redevelopment’s low and moderate income Housing Set-aside Funds. Typical funding sources include Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the CalHome Program. For additional information regarding these programs and funding sources, or to be placed on the waiting list, please contact CD&R housing staff at (559) 624-7000.
Fair Housing Rights and Responsibilities Assisting families to improve a home or to purchase a first home not only provides a safe and decent environment, it revitalizes neighborhoods and strengthens communities while fulfilling the goal of providing affordable housing for persons of low and moderate income. In this endeavor, there are basic rights that must be followed.  The Fair Housing Laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, physical handicap, or families with children. Property owners and landlords can be held legally responsible for discriminatory actions. Whether rehabilitating or purchasing a home, everyone has the right to be treated equally and fairly.
Concerns may be filed with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing at 1-800-884-1684 and with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-347-3739. Tulare County is an Equal Housing Opportunity lender.
Additional Housing Assistance Resources The following document provides contact information for housing assistance services from other agencies. These services are available to Tulare County residents.
Housing Resources Brochure (Spanish) “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” Albert Einstein
Housing Rehabilitation
 The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program provides low interest housing rehabilitation loans to low income homeowners who occupy homes in the unincorporated areas of Tulare County. The goal is to provide an affordable way to improve and preserve the existing housing stock. For additional information or to sign up for the program you can call (559) 624-7000, or you can print the brochure below:
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Brochure
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Brochure (Spanish)
First Time Homebuyers The First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Assistance Program (FTHB) provides low interest loans to assist with closing costs or a portion of the down payment, in order to promote homeownership for low income persons located in the unincorporated areas of Tulare County. To qualify for the program the buyer must be low income, contribute a down payment of 3% of the purchase price, qualify for a loan to purchase a home and commit to living in the home. For additional information or to sign up for the program you can call (559) 624-7000, or you can print the brochure below:
First Time Homebuyer Program Brochure
First Time Homebuyer Program Brochure (Spanish)
Emergency Repair
 This program addresses the emergency health and safety issues that arise from an aging housing stock. A collapsed or leaking roof, burned homes, and faulty electrical wiring are just a few examples of emergency issues. For additional information or to sign up for the program you can call (559) 624-7000, or you can print the brochure below:
Emergency Repair Program Brochure
Emergency Repair Program Brochure (Spanish) The County has utilized the CalHome Program to fund these Emergency Repairs. The CalHome Program was established by SB 1656. The CalHome Program was designed to support existing homeownership programs aimed at low and very low income persons. For additional information on the CalHome Program please see California State Department of Housing and Community Development.
Income Eligibility For all of these County housing programs, household income must be less than or equal to 80% of the area median income adjusted for household size. Income limits are determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible participants must have a combined gross annual household income that does not exceed the following limits per household size: Family
Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Earn
Less
Than | $28,850 | $32,950 | $37,100 | $41,200 | $44,500 | $47,800 | $51,100 | $54,400 |
(2007 Annual Income Guidelines) Subject to change!
Community Development Block Grant Program The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was established by Congress in 1974 and was designed to fund housing and community development projects. CDBG is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The primary federal objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.
Larger cities and counties are entitled to receive an automatic allocation of CDBG funds directly from the HUD. Smaller cities and counties such as Tulare County (2000 census unincorporated population in 141,150) compete with other like jurisdictions for CDBG funds that are passed through the California State Department of Housing and Community Development. The County generally applies for an annual maximum funding of $870,000 from the General, Economic Development, and Planning and Technical Assistance Allocations.
These funds are used for: housing activities, public works, community facilities, and public services projects serving low income people. In the past the County has used CDBG funds for a variety of different projects and programs. CDBG programs in the County are administered by the Community Development and Redevelopment Division in the Resource Management Agency. Examples from the General Allocation include, owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, water connections for the Lone Oak subdivision, Doyle Colony fire station, Poplar Chamber of Commerce building, Plainview test well, as well as many planning studies. Economic Development activities have been loans to specific businesses and microenterprise training and assistance.
Home Investment Partnerships Program The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and passed through to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The objectives of the HOME program are to provide affordable housing to low-income households, increase the ability of governments to provide housing, expand the capacity of non-profit housing providers, and to leverage private sector participation. These objectives are met through housing rehabilitation, new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, for both single-family and multifamily projects, and predevelopment loans by nonprofit community housing development organizations (CHDOs). All activities must benefit low-income renters or owners. In the past the County has used HOME funds for a variety of different projects and programs. HOME programs in the County are administered by the Community Development and Redevelopment Division in the Resource Management Agency. HOME funds have been used for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation and first time home buyers assistance. | 
