Comment Submitted by Chris Petersen

I believe this to be a very good regulation. Too many times our low-income clients have been out looking for a home to purchase on the HCV Homeownership program and the homes just do not pass inspections as the housing market is just too old. Even when clients do find homes that pass inspections and purchase them, the homes are needing repairs just a couple of years into the purchase. By being able to purchase new construction, low-income clients will not have to be burdened with repairs for many years. Trying to find a home to purchase after the footers have been poured is impossible for many clients as builders want money up-front before they will break ground, let alone to even purchase the plot of land. It just does not work for clients on the HCV homeownership program. However, being able to purchase new construction will work as the client can put down the money on the land and to break ground - especially if they are an FSS client as they have escrow money to use. This regulation would be very good for clients and the housing authorities as we would be able to give clients more options and move more families into home ownership. We are all for giving clients more options - the more options families have the better.