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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN) will be taking applications for the Title VI Loan Guarantee program in Cherokee County for a limited time only. This program is for Native Americans and the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation gives preference to Cherokees.

"We have gone through our existing waiting list in Cherokee county," said Ron Qualls, HACN executive director. "And have room for more applications for the Title VI program."

According to Qualls, the family's income must be within the Title VI program income limits of less than 80 percent of the national median income.

"Applications will be reviewed for credit worthiness and must agree to a 4 percent loan for 30 years with zero down and no closing costs," Qualls said.

Underwriting criteria will require the family be able and willing to repay the debt within the loan agreement. The mortgage payment will include the home, land, taxes, and insurance.

The HACN Title VI program was not developed for refinancing, but to allow first time homebuyers the opportunity to choose what type of housing will meet their needs.

According to Qualls, families will be required to select housing they can afford. The following options will be considered based on the families' income and debt in deciding the type of housing to be purchased. Types of housing include: new construction with the HACN hiring the contractor, existing homes that qualify and were constructed after 1978, or single or double wide manufactured housing.

"The applicants must be credit worthy," stated Anita Smith, HACN area 1 director in Cherokee county. "And the home must be their primary residence."

"This Title VI loan guarantee program, along with recent awards of two affordable housing programs from the Federal Home Loan Bank totaling $550,000 and the Low Income Housing Tax Credits totaling $3.8 million for two 40-unit congregate elderly apartment complexes, are examples that the Housing Authority is one of the most progressive Indian Housing Authorities in developing new programs for Tribal members," said Mary Adair, chairperson of the HACN Board. "As a commissioner of the board, I fully endorse and support all Title VI efforts. I am very excited that the HACN has a goal to provide in excess of 300 homes per year, and look forward to the second Title VI announcement in 2004."

Applications will be taken for a limited time only, and for Cherokee county only. Please call Leslie Kirkpatrick, phone: 458-5666, or Ferna Scott, phone: 453-2464, for an appointment. Appointments will be set from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday and Friday, January 16-17 at the Gregg Glass Community Center, located at 120 McSpadden Court, Tahlequah.