The Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates celebrated its 21st year in Alabama during its annual awards banquet held February 25. In an added cause for celebration, Alabama's Habitat affiliates have received high national rankings for production in 2012, including 8th in the nation for new house production, 3rd in the nation for rehab production, and 6th in the nation for total projects. 

  

In 1992, AHFA assisted with the creation of AAHA along with local affiliates. The first of its kind in the nation, AHFA's Habitat Loan Purchase Program is used to purchase mortgage loans from Alabama's affiliates. This process allows the affiliates to receive the loan amount up front in a lump sum, while AHFA receives the monthly payments for the life of the loan. The affiliate then uses the up-front funds to build more housing for low-income families.

 

To date, AHFA's collaboration with Habitat has resulted in the purchase of $20.8 million in loans for 468 families.

 

Applications will be accepted for 2013 HOME Investment Partnerships and Housing Credit program funding beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19 and ending at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Hert.

On February 25, AHFA hosted the annual HOME & Housing Credit Workshop with more than
200 in attendance. This seminar is offered free of charge each year to assist developers with
the application process. The event was held in conjunction with the Alabama's Better Living Expo sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Alabama.

 

AHFA staff promoted its ServiSolutions product for banks during the Alabama Bankers Association's Bank Operation and Management 

Summit on February 6-7.

AHFA's single-family staff is training participating lenders in preparation for the transition to EDocs-only file submissions through the Lender Online portal. We anticipate the transition to be complete in mid-March. Lenders, watch your email for more information and training details.

The Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE) reports that, in 2012, Alabama new home sales were up 7.2 percent compared to declines of 13.0 percent in both 2010 and 2011.