Committee informed of city commission decision to forgive some single‑family rehab loans upon borrower death

The Housing Commercial Loan Committee was informed Oct. 29 that the City Commission adopted changes to the City's single‑family rehabilitation loan program allowing loan satisfaction (forgiveness) upon the death of the borrower.

Dina Roscoe, senior assistant city attorney, explained the practical effect using a recently affected case: "Miss Carswell is since deceased, so she would follow in with the category that the commission recently passed. The intent is the maker is no longer alive, cannot comply because the forgivable nature of this loan is based upon the maker residing in the property. Obviously, that can't happen. The commission has decided the intent is to forgive this loan," Roscoe said on the record.

Staff and committee members discussed whether the committee would be notified when such forgiveness cases occur. Victor Turner, director of Housing and Community Development, said the department plans to provide regular reports—monthly or quarterly—listing loans affected by borrower death; he said the department currently identifies seven open cases that could be impacted.

The committee accepted the informational update; staff said they will provide periodic reports to the committee listing affected loans so the committee remains informed about program outcomes and any future administrative matters related to probate and loan satisfaction.