Palm Coast Sets Aside Nearly $350k in Grants for Housing Assistance

The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday approved $350,000 in federal grant money to be used for housing assistance. The money does not come at any cost to local taxpayers, having been granted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds will be distributed as outlined in Palm Coast’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Action Plan. The HUD funding includes $481,889 of Community Development Block Grant Funding. Of that, $299,606 will go toward owner-occupied home rehabilitation. Another $50,000 will go toward the first-time homebuyer program, totaling $349,606 in housing assistance funds. Already the Consolidated Action Plan has established $100,000 for the first-time homebuyer program with $50,000 left over from other years. This means the $50,000 in HUD funding will fully replenish the program’s funds. Those eligible for housing assistance must meet certain income criteria. The City of Palm Coast says eligible households must be at or below 30% of the area median income to receive up to $35,000. Houses at or below 50% may receive up to $25,000. Houses at or below 80% may receive up to $10,000. The city government says around three to 10 households will be awarded assistance funding each year. As for the housing rehabilitation funds, eligible homeowners may receive up to $80,000 for necessary repairs. $299,606 of funding is available, with each homeowner typically receiving $40,000 to $65,000 according to the city. The maximum amount that can be awarded is $80,000. Additionally, $37,283 will be put toward eligible public service grants. Another $35,000 will go to income-qualified participants in Palm Coast’s summer camp program. The final $60,000 will be put toward “required federal planning, administration, monitoring and program compliance”. Recipients of these and other grants included in the Community Development Block Grant must be within HUD’s low-to-moderate-income eligibility requirements. “Safe, stable housing can have a lasting impact on a family’s quality of life,” said Jacqueline Gonzalez, Palm Coast Site Development Coordinator I. “Through these programs, we can help eligible residents take an important step toward homeownership while also assisting current homeowners with repairs that protect their homes and allow them to remain there safely.”