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Housing Services

The Housing Department plans and administers affordable housing programs such as Home Ownership, Rehabilitation and Mobilehome Rental Assistance. The Housing Department also recommends policies and programs, provides housing information and referrals and administers the Mobile Home Park Accord.

Assistance

Vista Home Ownership Program (VHOP) - Down Payment Assistance Loans

The Vista Home Ownership Program (VHOP) serves qualifying first-time home buyers with down payment assistance loans to purchase homes located within the City of Vista.

Important information for you to print and read regarding the qualifications and steps to home ownership:

Información Sobre el Programa Para Ser Propietario de Una Vivienda

How to Apply

Follow these steps to homeownership:

  • Attend a HUD approved home ownership counseling class to determine credit and financial readiness. View the list of homebuyer education providers and the home inspection guidelines.
  • Contact an approved lender or broker to pre-qualify.
  • After lender approval of your financial readiness, shop for a home.
  • Make an offer on the selected property.
  • Lender will process the VHOP application and submit it to the City of Vista for loan approval and commitment of funds.
  • Close escrow.

Program Information

The maximum VHOP loan amount is $60,000 for single family homes/condominiums and $40,000 for mobilehomes OR no more than 100% of the buyer's primary loan amount, whichever is lower. There are no monthly payments on the VHOP loan, however, the loan must be repaid upon sale, transfer, refinance, or if the owner no longer resides in the home.

Prospective applicants must have a household income that does not exceed 120% of the San Diego County Area Median Income. View the chart showing the 2009 income limits for low- and moderate-income households.

A new component of VHOP serves sworn law enforcement officer households. The property to be purchased must be located in qualified areas within the City of Vista. Please call (760) 639-6191 to request a map showing these areas.

The Vista Home Ownership Program also requires that the applicant attend a homebuyer education class, and that the home to be purchased passes a City health and safety inspection.

View the list of homebuyer education providers and the home inspection guidelines.

For more information, please call (760) 639-6191.

VHOP Lender Information

View the links to the EPA Lead Based Paint pamphlet in English and Spanish.

Mobilehome Accord

The City of Vista City Council has found and determined that mobilehome parks within the City are an important supply of housing for senior citizens and low and moderate income persons and families. It has been determined it is necessary and proper for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens to regulate certain aspects of the tenant/landlord relationship and other conditions within mobilehome parks.

Therefore, the City of Vista has established a program of contractual obligations, known as the Mobilehome Park Accord, with owners of privately held mobilehome parks within the City to encourage equitable treatment, fair dealing and an alternative "model lease agreement" between the owners and their tenants. An important element of the Accord is the provision of a means for identifying and resolving disputes between owners and residences.

Vista Mobilehome Assistance Program (VMAP)

This program helps very low income mobilehome owners with assistance for housing costs. The amount of assistance is based upon household income. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Registered owner-occupant of a mobilehome located in Vista participating park.
  • Gross household income does not exceed 50% of the San Diego County Median Income adjusted by household size as established by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
  • Net household assets do not exceed $50,000.
  • Household is paying 30% or more of its gross income for housing costs.

View the VMAP Summary of Eligibility Requirements.

For additional information please call (760) 639-6191.

View the VMAP brochure in English or Spanish.

Mortgage Credit Certificate

This program allows low to moderate income, first time home buyers to take a 15% federal income tax credit for the annual interest paid on the mortgage use to buy their home. This credit reduces the federal income taxes of the buyer, resulting in an increase in the buyer's net earnings, as well as an ability to qualify for the mortgage loan.

The home buyer must occupy the home as a principal residence, and cannot have owned a home in the last three years.

For more information visit the AHA Housing website.

Rehabilitation Contractors

If you are a licensed and insured contractor and would like to be on our contractor list, please complete the forms attached and forward it to the Redevelopment & Housing Department, Attn: Sr. Housing Specialist.

Residential Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program

The City of Vista Rehabilitation ("Rehab") Loan Program preserves housing stock within the City while assisting very low and low-income persons. This home preservation program may be used for many repairs such as roofs, siding, plumbing, electrical, steps, windows, heating & air conditioning, hot water heaters, etc.

The Rehab Loan Program is an owner-occupied program that applies to single family homes, duplexes and mobilehomes.

This program aids owners who have an annual income that does not exceed 80% of the Area Medium Income (AMI) adjusted by family size as determined by HUD. The maximum loan amount is no more than $50,000 for single family or duplexes and $25,000 for mobilehomes.

When the property is sold, leased, title is transferred or is no longer owner-occupied, the loan must be re-paid. A single family loan accrues at 5% interest (which is forgiven after 10 years of occupancy) and the mobilehome loans are at 0 interest.

To be placed on a waiting list, either complete the inquiry card and send it to the Housing Department at 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084 or call (760) 639-6191.

Click the following for more detailed information:

View the Rehab Program Brochure in English or Spanish

Housing Discrimination/Fair Housing

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

State and Federal Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, familial status (children under the age of 18), disability, sexual preference, source of income, or any arbitrary status.

If a housing provider refuses to rent or sell a home, offers unequal terms, quotes different prices, or applies different policies based on the protected classes, he or she is violating federal law. Additionally, state law prohibits unequal treatment based on marital status, ancestry, age or any other arbitrary class discrimination.

A landlord may take into consideration income, credit rating or any other pertinent information that directly relates to a prospective tenant’s ability and willingness to pay rent. However, perspective tenants have the right to request and receive a reason why when they are denied housing and may file a private civil lawsuit anytime within two years of an alleged discrimination incident. Complaints may be filed with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing at (800) 884-1684 and with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at (800) 347-3739 or online at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

The City of Vista contracts with North County Lifeline, a non-profit organization, to counsel property owners, managers, tenants and homebuyers on fair housing related issues. They can also advise you of landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, including repair issues and to mediate with your landlord on your behalf. If you think you are a victim of a housing related discrimination incident or would like more information about fair housing, please call North County Lifeline at (760) 842-6226 or email kmatthews@nclifeline.org or visit them online at www.nclifeline.org. You may also contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair housing hotline at (800) 424-8590.

OTHER FAIR HOUSING RESOURCES - websites & phone numbers

 

Fair Housing Poster Contest

> Contest Information (K-8 Grade Levels)

Homeless Prevention Programs

Two programs are offered to help prevent homelessness in Vista: Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Security Deposit Assistance Program. North County Lifeline administers both programs, and can be contacted at (760) 726-4900 or 200 Michigan Avenue, Vista CA 92084.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP): HPRP is a federal “Recovery Act’ grant program that provides short and medium-term rental assistance to individuals and families who are currently in housing but at risk of becoming homeless, and individuals and families who are homeless.  Through the City of Vista’s participation in the HPRP – North County Collaborative (NCC), low-income Vista residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless may be eligible to receive funding for rental and utility assistance, security and utility deposits, moving costs assistance, motel vouchers, intensive case management, housing search and placement, tenant counseling, mediation, legal services, and financial literacy training. For more information on the HPRP program please visit the HPRP-NCC website (see link below).