Due to the Federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, $4.3 million will be granted to Hernando County as an effort to aid communities that were affected the most by the economic crisis. Hernando County ranks high on the list of communities that are need of assistance, focusing mainly on Spring Hill zip codes 34606, 34608 and 34609.

Hernando County officials are a putting a plan into the works that would assist families or individuals that qualify for a loan, but cannot come up with the down payment or does not have the funds to fix up a foreclosure. To qualify for the program families would need to prove an annual income that is less than 120 percent of the median income in the area. That is to say that the annual income for a family of four can be no more than $67,800 and for an individual $47,540.

Above and beyond the $4.3 million for aid in purchasing homes, $1.34 million will be granted to provide rental assistance for families whose income is less than 50% of area mean income.

The plan is designed to help approximately 100 families with funds that would cover the costs of contractors to fix up foreclosed homes, bankers to aid in qualifying the buyers and a portion to go toward down-payment assistance.

There will be a public hearing on the plan that is scheduled for March 10, 2009 at the County Commission Chambers at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, Fl.

Come and let your voice be heard.