“OFFICER NEXT DOOR PROGRAM”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has introduced a new program called the “Officer Next Door” initiative.  While NAPO has not officially endorsed the program on a national level because of its indirect resemblance to residency requirements, there may be NAPO members who could truly benefit from this program on an individual basis.

HUD is looking to sell homes to law enforcement officers at a 50% discount off the appraised market value, and if an officer chooses to use a Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgage the down payment is $100.  In return, the law enforcement officer must occupy the purchased property as his/her principle residence for at least three years.  Although not required, law enforcement officers are encouraged to purchase a home in the community they serve.  The program will be tested for one year.

Many of the HUD homes available through this program are “fixer-uppers.”  They have been designated in neighborhoods that have many vacant properties, including properties needing extensive repairs, and have been selected by the locality for economic development efforts.  The Administration is hoping to help decrease crime in these neighborhoods through your presence.  They state that a similar program led to a 16% drop in crime when officers moved into a Columbia, South Carolina neighborhood.

Although the program is available in cities and towns across America, HUD has targeted 25 major US cities for this initiative and hopes to place at least 1,000 officers in such homes this year.  The targeted locations are:

Atlanta
Boston/Springfield
Buffalo
Chicago
Cleveland
Columbus
Coral Gables/Miami
Dallas/Fort Worth
Denver
Detroit
Grand Rapids
Hartford
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Knoxville
Los Angeles
Memphis
Milwaukee
Newark
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
Washington, DC

If you are interested in this program, please call (800) 217-6970 or contact the NAPO office.