Help to Control Feral Cat Population

We spotted this nice write-up this week over at "The Animal Advocate Blog" about spay/neuter options available in Solano County for both pet and feral cat populations.

Here's a bit of the post:

The Solano Feral Cat/ TNR Task Force works tirelessly to humanely reduce the huge overpopulation of homeless cats, both tame and feral, living in Solano County.

Thousands of cats and kittens are euthanized in our county shelter every year because there are just not enough homes for them all. Cats reproduce very quickly, and are pregnant for only about 8 weeks. Cats also become pregnant while still nursing a previous litter. The time is NOW to spay and neuter your pets.

We offer weekly appointments to out of county low cost spay/neuter clinics, and transportation is provided. Depending on which clinic we have openings for on any given week, and depending on the sex of the cat, spay and neuter prices range from $20-$45. Carriers are also available to loan, free of charge, if needed.

>>READ MORE HERE>>

Suisun City Pursuing Federal Neigborhood Stabilization Funds

FRIDAY HEARING TO COLLECT INPUT ON HOW FUNDING IS USED

In partnership with four other local cities and Solano County, Suisun City is applying for federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Funding that is being distributed by the State of California. The State has received $145 million it is distributing to local agencies.

This funding is designed to help government agencies address the challenges posed by home foreclosures in their communities. For nearly a year, Suisun City has worked proactively on the foreclosure issue, including using $3.4 million in local affordable housing funds to establish a First-Time Home Buyers Assistance / Foreclosure Eradication Program.

Suisun City is applying for approximately $665,000 in NSP funds. The program is designed to:

• Establish financing mechanisms for the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties;
• Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, in order to sell, rent or redevelop them;
• Establish land banks for foreclosed homes;
• Demolish blighted structures; and
• Redevelop demolished or vacant properties.
  

The first step in this process is a Public Hearing on the design of the local program to determine how the funding should be used. The public's input is important to help guide upcoming policy decisions that could impact the community.

The hearing is set for

Friday January 30, 2009
3:30 p.m.
Three Oaks Community Center
1100 Alamo Drive, Vacaville

Local action by the Suisun City Council is required to submit the application.

>>Click here for the full public notice>>

Redevelopment Agency Closes First Home Buyer Loan

FIRST-TIME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TARGETS FORECLOSED HOMES

SUISUN CITY — Escrow closed this week on the first foreclosed home to be purchased through the Suisun City Redevelopment Agency’s First-Time Homebuyer Assistance / Foreclosure Eradication Program.

“We are moving quickly and aggressively to address this challenge in our community,” said Mayor Pete Sanchez. “I was delighted when I heard this first deal closed.”

Suisun City, which has a population of 27,950, committed $3.4 million in local affordable housing funds to underwrite about 100 down payment assistance loans for first-time home buyers of foreclosed properties. The loans can be worth up to 25% of the value of the property.

The program provides equity share loans on which the homeowner makes no payments. The Agency recovers the principal it invested and shares in any equity appreciation in the home upon future sale.

The Agency has received more than 108 inquiries and qualified 12 homebuyers who have 60 days purchase a home. Four additional homebuyers are in escrow with the help of a Suisun City down-payment loan.

“I’m very pleased with all the hard work that has gone into making this a successful program,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “We’re moving very rapidly to make a real impact on our foreclosure challenges and preserving the quality of our neighborhoods.”

The First-time Homebuyer Assistance / Foreclosure Eradication Program was designed to provide homeownership opportunities for qualifying families while helping to address the glut of vacant homes on the market as a result of the broader foreclosure crisis. The City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency Board, wanted to move quickly without waiting to see what federal and state programs may be developed.

For more information on the program, visit www.suisun.com/ed.html or call 707-421-7307.

The down payment assistance program is one proactive step Suisun City has taken to buffer the impact of the broad national financial crisis, others include:

• City Council created the Foreclosure Task Force to investigate how to work directly with financially distressed homeowners
• The Task Force and Economic Development Department sponsored two community workshops
• The Agency launched Foreclosed Home Rehabilitation Program in partnership with local home builders
• The Agency launched Neighborhood Reinvestment Program offering matching grants up to $2,500 to make “curb appeal” improvements for homeowners to upgrade their homes and assist first-time homebuyers
• The City initiated revision to City’s Nuisance Ordinance to hold banks accountable for condition of foreclosed properties
• The City initiated application for approximately $665,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds through the state