Suisun City is Still Helping First-Time Homebuyers

Program Extends Beyond Tax Credits to Target Foreclosed Homes

SUISUN CITY - Federal homebuyer tax credits may have expired, but Suisun City is still in the business of helping first-time homebuyers get into a house of their dreams.

Qualified buyers can get down-payment assistance of up to 25 percent of a home’s value through the Suisun City Redevelopment Agency’s First-Time Homebuyer Program. The program targets foreclosed and short-sale homes to return them to individual and family ownership so they are neighborhood assets.

The program was designed to support existing Suisun City neighborhoods to ensure the long-term quality, value and availability of a variety of housing options.

“The federal government may have done all it could to reinvigorate the housing market, but Suisun City isn’t done yet,” said Project Manager Vivien Chua Togonon. “Despite State raids on our redevelopment funds, we are committed to reinvesting in our neighborhoods to make Suisun City the region’s best community for families.”

The Redevelopment Agency has streamlined the program to make it easy to understand and navigate.

Qualified buyers can get a loan in the form of a second mortgage on which the homeowner makes no monthly payments. Upon future sale of the property, the Agency recovers the principal it invested and shares in a pro-rata portion of any equity appreciation in the home.

Approved First-Time Homebuyer Program participants also get first chance to make an offer on properties acquired and completely renovated through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. These homes may qualify for down-payment assistance of up to 35% of the property’s value.

Households that qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Program are also qualified to participate in the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, which provides up to $2,500 in a matching grant to help homeowners with exterior improvements.

The Suisun City Redevelopment Agency launched the First-Time Homebuyer Program in January 2009, committing $3.4 million. Since then, the program’s staff has fielded 278 inquiries, qualified 30 homebuyers with 60 days purchase a home, and closed 22 escrows with the help of a Suisun City down-payment loan.

For more information, go online to www.suisun.com, call 707-421-7309 or e-mail homebuyer@suisun.com.

Suisun City Public Works Seeks Landscaping Firm

Plantings to Beautify New Bike Trail Extension

SUISUN CITY - The Public Works Department wants to hire a landscaping firm to install attractive new plantings along the recently completed Central County Bikeway Extension along north Main Street.

The work, estimated to cost about $55,000 to $70,000, includes removing existing plants, installing trees, shrubs and vines along with necessary irrigation systems, grading, soil preparation and constructing a retaining wall.

The landscaping will provide the finishing touches on the Bikeway Extension that links Suisun City's main residential neighborhoods with the Train Station and the Waterfront District. The Bikeway Extension officially opened in October 2009.

In addition to providing recreational opportunities and a new safe route to school, the Bikeway also is expected to be a significant route for people attending Waterfront District events, such as the upcoming Independence Day Spectacular.

>>Click for more information on the landscaping project>>

FasTrak Tags Now Available at Suisun City Train Station

Commuting drivers can now purchase a FasTrak toll tag at the Suisun City Train Station as part of the Bay Area Toll Authority's effort to expand the retail locations for the automatic tolling device. >> Map to Train Station >>

The FasTrak transponder can be purchased at the Transit Information Center in the Train Station staffed by the Rio Vista Delta Breeze. Until July 15, new customers who pick up a FasTrak toll tag can get up to $10 in free tolls.

"With the toll tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and the Rio Vista Municipal Airport, central Solano County bridge commuters have another location where FasTrak enrollment can become more convenient," said Solano County Supervisor and Bay Area Toll Authority member Jim Spering. "And convenience is really what FasTrak is all about. Because FasTrak customers prepay their tolls, they don't have to stop to pay cash at a toll booth. The correct toll is deducted electronically from a customer's prepaid account when they pass through the toll plaza. Having the tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and Rio Vista Municipal Airport is especially timely for carpool commuters because they will have to use FasTrak to qualify for the new discounted carpool toll that begins July 1."

The new $2.50 carpool toll, which is half of the new $5 regular toll (and a $3.50 discount off the new $6 peak-period toll on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge), will be assessed for carpool vehicles that cross the region's state-owned toll bridges in designated carpool lanes on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

July 1 also will mark the debut of congestion pricing—also known as time-of-day pricing—on the Bay Bridge, which is by far the region's busiest toll bridge. Beginning July 1, auto tolls on the Bay Bridge will vary from $4 during weekday off-peak hours, to $5 all day on Saturdays and Sundays, and to $6 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The regular auto toll will rise to $5 from the current $4 at all times on the six other state-owned toll bridges: the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

For Rio Vista Delta Breeze transit route and schedule information, call (707) 374-2878 or 511 and say "Rio Vista Transit." You can also visit Rio Vista Delta Breeze on the internet at www.deltabreeze.org. Rio Vista Delta Breeze is a service of the City of Rio Vista.