The homes that are acquired and rehabilitated by Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. are funded by various state and federal funding sources and therefore the homes must be sold to individuals and families that meet certain family-income guidelines depending on the source of funding used.   For example, if the home was acquired and rehabilitated with HOME funds through either the cities of Scranton or Carbondale, homebuyers must meet the current year HUD Family-Income Guidelines which are displayed below:

                                                                                          Household Size 

                                                                                  1 Person        $31,700

                                                                                  2 Persons      $36,250

                                                                                  3 Persons      $40,750

                                                                                  4 Persons      $45,300

                                                                                  5 Persons      $48,900

                                                                                  6 Persons      $52,550

However, if the home was acquired and rehabilitated with funding from the Commonwealth’s Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Program (HRA) which we are utilizing for some homes in Carbondale , the income guidelines can be up to 115% of Lackawanna County’s median income.  For example, family income for 1 person - $45,540; 2 people - $51,095; 3 people - $58,535; 4  people - $65,090; 5 people - $70,265, etc. To prepare homebuyers for homeownership and to make them better homeowners, Lackawanna Neighbors and other agencies offering financial assistance to assist with homebuying, require potential homebuyers to complete Homeownership Workshops prior to purchasing a home.  Classes are conducted by the following HUD certified counseling agencies:

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Scranton, 709 E. Market St., Scranton, PA  18509.  Classes are generally held during the last 2 Tuesdays of each month but individual sessions may be arranged. To register for classes, please phone 570.558.2490.

United Neighborhood Centers (UNC) 414 Olive St., Scranton, PA  18503 and 66 N. Church St., Carbondale, PA 18407.   To schedule an appointment with a counselor, please phone Jill Moyle at 570.343.8835 ext. 112.

Catholic Social Services (CSS) 516 Fig St., Scranton, PA 18505.  To schedule an appointment, please phone Mike Coyle at 570.558.3019.

Due to specific regulations of the funding sources used, other homebuyer requirements are as follows: 

Homes purchased by income-eligible individuals and/or families must utilize the home as their PRIMARY residence for a period of 15 years which means that it can not be used for speculation purposes.  The homebuyer and/or their family members must live in the home during this affordability period and it can not be rented to others.  If you sell the home within the 15 year affordability period, it must be sold to another income-eligible individual or family that meets the family income guidelines that are in effect at the time of sale and at a sales price that is affordable to potential homebuyers meeting the income guidelines.  This regulation is enforced through a deed stipulatoin and you will not be able to sell the home unless you comply with this requirement.

Lackawanna Neighbors does not provide financing for the purchase of the homes; however, financial assistance may be available through the following local government programs and banking institutions depending upon where the home is located (either Scranton or Carbondale):

City of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD)   homebuyer program that offers forgivable grants up to $10,000 for downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that are purchasing homes in Scranton.  For information or to apply for financial assistance, please phone Liza Skelton at 570.348-4216 for further information.

Neighborhood Housing Servies (NHS) is administering the Lackawanna County First Time Homebuyer Program that offers downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that want to purchase homes anywhere in Lackawanna County, including Scranton.  Please call Ellen 570.558.2490 for further information or to obtain an application.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) - Keystone Home Loan Program and Home Loan Plus - Offers a 30-year fixed interest rate mortgage to income-eligible persons (same income guidelines as displayed above).   This program allows people who have already owned a home to participate.   Most local banks participate in these programs and loan officers will assist homebuyers with the programs that are available.   More information relating to participating banks can be obtained by phoning 1.800.822.1174 or on the internet at http://www.phfa.org./consumers/homebuyers/khlprograms.aspx.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) - First Front Door Program - offers first-time, income-eligible homebuyers up to $5,000 toward downpayments (a 3-1 match).  Most local banks participate in this program.  When applying for a mortgage, make sure to ask about this program which can be use with other programs (i.e., City of Scranton Homebuyer Program and Lackawanna County’s Homebuyer Program).   For additional information and a list of participating local banks go to  http://www.firstfrontdoor.com

Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. has recently started a Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Plymouth Borough, Luzerne County.  This project is funded through the Luzerne County Office of Community Development in Wilkes-Barre, PA  and homes acquired and rehabilitated in Plymouth Borough will be available to income eligible individuals and families using the above income table for Scranton and Carbondale.   All homebuyers must complete counseling through the Luzerne County’s Homebuyer Program and may also be eligible to receive financial assistance through that program.  More information will be available very soon.