community
Community Action Team: Sweat Equity
work is mostly cosmetic or upgrade-fo-
cused.
Ultimately, USDA underwrites
the loan; it’s called a 502 Direct Single
Family Housing Loan. The 502 starts
off as a construction loan while the
renovations are underway and the family
is still living in their former dwelling.
When the household moves into the
home, the loan converts to permanent
financing. The loans are partially
subsidized through lower interest rates,
so those who would not qualify for a
conventional home loan do qualify for
the 502. Over the life of the loan, the
household will periodically be recertified
by USDA to determine possible changes
in loan terms. When the family is in a
position to sell the home, their sweat
equity helps them realize significantly
more financial equity than they could
have through conventional means.
The current program window
closes at the end of the year, but there
is still time for people to apply and
participate. Because SHARP uses
federal dollars, the qualification process
is lengthy and rigorous. For those
interested in learning more, there are
a few initial eligibility factors to keep
in mind. The first criteria involves
household income limits. If there are
between one and four family members,
the allowable maximum gross income in
Columbia County is $58,800; for four to
eight members it is $77,600. After that,
there are several other considerations:
applicants need a credit score of 640 or
higher; total consumer debt (including
the proposed mortgage) must be less than
Two Receive Life Saving Award
july21
2016
9
continued from front page
41% of the household’s gross income;
employment with the same employer or
industry must be stable for at least two
years; a bankruptcy or foreclosure needs
to have been discharged more than three
years prior; and there cannot be any
unsettled federal judgements.
The homes that can be
considered for SHARP need to be stick-
built and may not be manufactured or
mobile homes. USDA allows homes
to be up to 2,000 square feet and it is
recommended that the home be on city
services for water and sewer. And, of
course, the home must need some repairs
that the potential owner is willing and
able to do.
As many are all too aware, the
local housing market is rapidly changing
again. Going forward, the self-help
On Monday, July
18, 2016 at the Vernonia
Fire Department, two
individuals, Lt. Randy
Carlton, and Jeff Mathia,
Supervisor with Metro West
Ambulance, received the
Life Saving Award from
Mist Birkenfeld’s Fire
Chief, Joe Kaczenski.
A year ago these
two individuals responded
to a call in Mist Birkenfeld’s
District where there was
Mist Birkenfeld’s Fire Chief Joe Kaczenski (in red) presented Lt. Randy Carlton (l)
and Jeff Mathia (r) the Life Saving Award.
an individual who had no
pulse. Through good CPR and medical treatment, this individual was successfully resuscitated.
Congratulations to Lt. Carlton, Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District, and Supervisor Jeff Mathia, Metro West
Ambulance, on a job well done!
program may need to evolve another
time to keep pace with the market. CAT
is actively exploring options for adapting
the program to maximize opportunities
for Columbia County residents. The
eligibility requirements will remain
roughly the same even if the program
changes, so CAT encourages interested
parties to get in touch soon.
To get more information or a SHARP
application, please contact CAT’s
Sally McLaughlin at 503-366-6544.
For general information about how
Community Action Team may be able to
help you, please call (503) 397-3511 or
visit www.cat-team.org. Office hours at
125 N. 17 th Street in St. Helens are 8:30
am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AND WORK
IN DOWNTOWN VERNONIA!
736 Bridge Street, Vernonia
Asking price $199,900 MLS# 16228001
Run your dream business in this spacious
building or lease out. Keep as 1 large or make
2 separate storefronts. Upstairs 1600 sq.ft.
3 bdrm apt to live in or rent out.
Call for a showing today!
Andrea Grant
Real Estate Broker
(503) 702-1572
John L. Scott Real Estate
Vernonia Market Center
859 Bridge Street
andreag@johnlscott.com
Vernonia, OR 97064
www.andreag.johnlscott.com
http://www.zillow.com/profile/Andrea-Grant
V ernonia C hristian C hurch
Everyone is welcome in our vibrant & active community!
A Professional Power Line Clearance Company
Sunday
Worship Service
Dale Olson
(503) 867-9770
11:00 am
Mike Grant
(503) 429-1157
(971) 201-1533
Pastor Sam Hough
Arborist on staff
Tree Trimming and Removal
Land Development
Residential or Commercial
Mulching/Mowing
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
OR CCD #204414
WA North LC CCB #857BZ
Marie Krahn
Massage Therapy
lic#5495
mariekrahn@frontier.com
• Home Study Groups
• Outdoor Ministry
Christian Bow Hunters of America
Annual Sportsman’s Banquet
office@VernoniaChristianChurch.org
503-429-6522
PO Box 676, Wilsonville, OR 97070
Dale@NorthwestLineClearance.com
Bighorn Logging
since 1981
• Accepting: Medical Benefits Cards
503-429-5180
4th-6th Grade
Junior & Senior High
410 North St.
Vernonia
Auto injury recovery/medical billing
• Medical Massage Cupping
• Swedish Massage
• Reiki • Deep Tissue
• Reflexology
• doTerra Aroma Touch
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Myofacial Release
• Youth and Adult Sunday School
• Evening Youth Groups
Contract Logging
503-324-2422
Free Estimates
Timber Purchases
Timber Management
Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996
Owned and Operated by
Don & Kim Wallace
DON WALLACE, PLS
Professional Land Surveying
1224 E. Alder St.
Vernonia, OR 97064
Phone: 503-429-6115
FAX: 1-866-297-1402
Email: DWallace_KLS@msn.com
CORPORATE
MEMBER
