OKC Councilmember To Hold Virtual Town Hall On City Help With Home Repairs, Down Payments

Oklahoma City residents can find out how to get help from the city for home repairs and down payments through a virtual town hall with Ward 2 city councilmember James Cooper.

The city leader said with families scrapping to keep their homes because of the pandemic, he believes now was the right time to explain how the city can help.

“People just really struggling to make it just from month to month. I thought now was a perfect time to have a conversation with everyone with how the city has stepped in to make homeownership a reality,” said councilman Cooper.

Cooper said during the town hall, he’ll explain who qualifies for the Down Payment Assistance Program. This is a program where the city helps pay for down payments up to $15,000 and closing costs to eligible homes and homebuyers with low to moderate incomes.

The city leader said applicants must have a mortgage approved by a local lender and attend homebuyer training. The homes also need to pass inspection.

Cooper said he hopes people take advantage of this help and possibly break the homelessness cycle.

“How do we make sure people can move from renters to homeownership?” said the city councilman. “I think that is one way we can tackle some of the homelessness crisis that we are facing.”

“Heading into March, eviction protections at the national level start to end. Really, evictions are at the heart of so much of the housing insecurity that our residents experience," said Cooper.

Cooper will also explain how you can sign up for the Home Exterior Maintenance Program, which provides money so homeowners can repair code violations on the outside of their homes. He said the eligibility is based on the resident’s income.

“The better conditions our lawns and houses are, the safer our kids are en route to school, en route to recreation,” said councilman Cooper. “The safer a senior feels in his neighborhood as well. We can actually make a dent in crime.”

The virtual town hall starts at 5:30 p.m.

You can join the virtual town hall here with the Webinar ID 917 6738 9821.

Guests will also include Code Enforcement Superintendent Chad Davidson, Planning Director Geoff Butler, Housing and Community Development Principal Planner Chris Varga.

Alternate ways to attend the town hall are listed below: 

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By Telephone:

1. 669 900 6833
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5. 646 876 9923
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8. 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
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