Joplin announces homebuyer assistance program

(City of Joplin) — As demonstrated by the success of the first Joplin Homebuyers Assistance Program (JHAP), which was offered during the City of Joplin’s post-2011 tornado recovery efforts, the City is pleased to announce JHAP2, a second round of homebuyer assistance that is now available to eligible City of Joplin homebuyers. This is the first of three grant-funded housing programs the City is launching this year to strengthen neighborhoods and boost investment across the city.

The purpose of JHAP2 is to help improve opportunities for homeownership through the disbursement of a portion of the City of Joplin’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant funds. JHAP2 funding can be used to provide down payment and closing cost financial assistance of up to $40,000 per qualifying household when purchasing an eligible home in the city of Joplin.

With the goals to support single-family homeownership affordability in Joplin, improve the opportunities for homeownership for low and moderate-income (LMI) families, help improve housing stability in the city, and further the goal of recovering from the economic harms caused by COVID-19, JHAP2 provides a new opening for citizens.

“JHAP2 will provide potential homeowners funding assistance to help bridge the gap that may have prevented them from buying a home in the past,” said Nick Edwards, Joplin City Manager. “This is a similar program that was offered following the disaster and helped more than 500 families into home ownership. Through this ARPA grant, we’re pleased to offer this to our community as part of the JHAP2 program.”

Edwards explained that as part of a federal funding program, there are several steps in the application process. These include:

• Step 1: Talk to your preferred Home Mortgage Lender. In this step, an applicant will talk to their lender about their interest in participating in the JHAP2 program. The lender can help evaluate whether an applicant may be a good fit for the program. If the lender and applicant determine that the applicant may be a good fit for the program, the lender can help the applicant through the JHAP2 application process.
• Step 2: Submit JHAP2 Application and Lender Pre-Qualification Letter. If an applicant believes they meet the eligibility criteria and would like to participate in the program, they should submit an application including all necessary documentation and required information, including their Lender’s Mortgage Pre-Qualification Letter. For most applicants, the quickest and easiest route to submit an application will be through their lender. The outcome of Step 2 is that the JHAP2 Program Office will determine whether the household income of the applicant meets the guidelines of the program. The JHAP2 Program Office will communicate with the applicant to inform them of their ability to proceed to Step 3. Please note that the amount of JHAP2 financial assistance will be determined in a subsequent step.

 Step 3: Search for a Home. During this step, the applicant will work with their lender and realtor to search for a home within the City of Joplin. Once  the applicant has a home under contract, the lender will notify the City and the City will evaluate the home’s eligibility. If the home is determined eligible, the JHAP2 Program Office will communicate to the applicant and lender the estimated JHAP2 financial assistance amount. This financial assistance amount will be reserved for the applicant  for up to 90 calendar days until the closing of the home purchase. The public should note that because of the limited ARPA funding for this program and the federal guidelines, JHAP2-approved properties will be required to close within 90 days of the applicant being notified that the home under contract is eligible for JHAP2 assistance. If the JHAP2 applicant’s property under contract does not close within 90 days following the notification, the City will withdraw the JHAP2 financial assistance offer.

Step 4: Close on a Home. The applicant’s lender and realtor will work with the JHAP2 Program Office to arrange the closing documents. The JHAP2 funding assistance proceeds will be provided by the City at the time of closing. The applicant will then complete the closing and move into their new home.

To prepare for the opening of the JHAP2 Program, City staff and their consultant have met with numerous community partners, including local mortgage lenders, title insurers, the Ozark Gateway Association of Realtors, and housing-related nonprofit organizations. The input and recommendations from these partners were considered as the program’s details were finalized.

“The City is here to help residents and encourages them to review these steps. If they have questions, they can call us or talk with their lender or their realtor,” said Edwards.

The application packet is available for download at: https://www.joplinmo.org/JHAP2

Paper copies are also available at Joplin City Hall (4th Floor) at 602 S. Main Street. This program will continue until all funding is expended or until the application deadline of early 2026.

There are three ways in which an individual may submit their JHAP2 application:

1. Work with your lender to submit an application and required documents through the City of Joplin’s online application portal (City to announce availability). Work with your lender to submit an application and required documents through the City of Joplin’s website
2. Hand-deliver the paper application and required documents (in a sealed envelope) to the JHAP2 Program Office, located at Joplin City Hall (4th Floor) at 602 S. Main Street
3. Mail the paper application and required documents to the following address: Joplin City Hall, JHAP Program Office – 4^th Floor, 602 S. Main Street, Joplin MO  64801

Important Note: Applications submitted via email will not be accepted. Prospective JHAP2 applicants can learn more about the program on the City of Joplin’s website at (https://www.joplinmo.org/JHAP2) or contact their selected mortgage lender. The JHAP2 Program Office is available to assist applicants with any questions, including scheduling an appointment (if desired), via email at jhap@joplinmo.org or by calling 417-624-0820 ext. 1577.

This product is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP4542 awarded to the State of Missouri by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The American Rescue Plan (2021) is providing fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries.

The American Rescue Plan continues many of the programs started by the CARES Act (2020) and Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) by adding new phases, new allocations, and new guidance to address issues related to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan also creates a variety of new programs to address continuing pandemic-related crises and fund recovery efforts as the United States begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan was passed by Congress on March 10, 2021, and signed into law on March 11, 2021.