Photos of Lenders and Loan Officers of the Year, state recognition documents available online

(AUSTIN) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) this week joined Governor Rick Perry in recognizing June as Homeownership Month, using the opportunity to remind Texans of the safe and responsible lending products it offers to households ready to take the important step of purchasing their first home.

“The benefits of homeownership have been cited time and again, and they remain as true as ever,” said TDHCA Executive Director Tim Irvine. “Owning the home in which they live helps families achieve greater stability, strengthens neighborhood schools and institutions, and benefits communities by contributing to the local tax base. For these and many other reasons, helping families who are prepared to take on the role of homeowner is a critical part of our mission.”

To put this effort into context, the state housing agency and its network of participating lenders originated slightly more than $1.1 billion in mortgage loans from 2011 to 2013 under TDCHA’s homebuyer programs, helping place 8,555 Texas families in a home of their own.

TDHCA carries out this portion of its mission by offering qualified households access to 30-year mortgage loans through its My First Texas Home initiative, which provides competitive fixed-interest rates, coupled with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Complementing the loan program is the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate Program, which allows qualified borrowers to claim a tax credit on 40 percent of the mortgage interest paid per year, up to $2,000, for as long as the home remains the household’s primary residence.

The Department encourages low- to moderate-income households to visit its main homebuyer programs online at www.myfirsttexashome.com for more information regarding eligibility, income and purchase price restrictions, and how to find the nearest participating lender.