Restore SGF‘s Down Payment Assistance Program is now accepting applications for homes in its target neighborhoods: Grant Beach, Woodland Heights, Doling Park east of Robberson Avenue, Fassnight and Meador Park east of National Avenue. The program provides to qualifying homebuyers a $9,000 grant for down payment and closing costs. Borrowers must contribute at least $1,500 of their own money.
To be eligible for assistance:
- The borrower’s income cannot exceed 150% of AMI (Area Median Income).
See the below chart. - The borrower must be a first-time homebuyer (have not owned a home in the last three years).
- The sales price of the home must not exceed $250,000.
To apply for assistance:
- The borrower must provide to Restore SGF their most recent:
- Federal income tax return
- Past 30 days of payroll statements
- Program documents upon submission of request:
Once a house purchase contract is signed, the borrower must provide Restore SGF with the exact address of the house to reserve funds and to determine if the property is located in one of Restore SGF’s five selected neighborhoods.
When that is determined, the borrower will apply for a loan from a local lender of their choice. Only lenders that have a physical office in Greene County will be eligible. The loan must be a fixed-rate mortgage.
Upon approval of the loan, the lender will notify Restore SGF of the closing date and the location of the closing agent, title company or bank so the check can be delivered.
Restore SGF will file a deed restriction on the title which will require repayment of the $9,000 grant if the property is sold within the first five years. After five years have passed, no repayment is required. To apply, visit RestoreSGF.com.
Longtime City planner takes helm as director
The newly retired interim director of Planning and Development for the City of Springfield became Restore SGF’s new executive director in January.
Brendan Griesemer assumed leadership of Restore SGF on Jan. 16, following his hiring by the Restore SGF board of directors Jan. 11. He oversees the organization’s mission to encourage reinvestment in Springfield’s historic neighborhoods.
In his 27 years with the City of Springfield, Griesemer had a focus on housing and neighborhoods. He created the Springfield Community Land Trust for affordable homeownership and authored the $2.1 million Neighborhood Stabilization grant to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed houses. The City’s first “boarded buildings” ordinance was co-written by Griesemer as a means of encouraging housing redevelopment. Collaborating with four local nonprofits, he developed the Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP).
Griesemer was inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2022. He holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s in community and regional planning from Missouri State University.
Joining City staff in 1996, Griesemer moved up to assistant director of the planning and development department in 2017 and in May 2023 took the interim director vacancy. Besides Springfield, Griesemer worked in planning and economic development for the cities of Nixa, Kansas City and Shawnee, Kansas.
Dana Elwell, retired senior vice president of Guaranty Bank, helped the nonprofit get off the ground in June 2023.
Launched in 2021, Restore SGF is using innovative programs in selected Springfield neighborhoods to improve housing conditions, leading to higher property values. The Block Challenge Grant Program provides up to $2,500 in reimbursement for exterior home improvement projects that can be seen from the street .