Homeowner asks Putnam commissioners for fast SHIP subordination; staff: request requires formal agenda action

A Putnam County homeowner asked the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 to accelerate review of a SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) subordination request so she could close a loan to make necessary repairs.

Melissa Ray told the board she purchased her home in 2014 and received SHIP assistance in 2016; she said she has continuously occupied and owned the home since then and is not selling or transferring title. Ray said she was seeking subordination of a $17,000 SHIP mortgage to access a portion of her home equity for repairs and continued nonprofit work and that she had attempted to obtain county assistance beginning in January. She told the board prior subordinations of larger, corporate loans had been processed far more quickly, and asked for similar consideration.

County staff advised that SHIP subordination is a matter that requires formal agenda placement and review. Staff explained that Guardian (the local SHIP administrator referenced in the discussion) applies program guidelines and that acceleration of a subordination depends on program rules and the commission’s willingness to act on an agenda item. Miss Young (county staff) said the county would review the caller’s contacts and the steps she had taken to identify any procedural breakdowns on the county side and work to assist where possible.

Commissioners noted the procedural limitations: individual requests cannot be granted spontaneously during public comment and must be brought back as a properly noticed agenda item for board consideration. A commissioner offered to attend SHIP meetings to learn more about the program’s processes.

Outcome: No immediate grant of subordination was made at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with the homeowner to review the administrative record, identify gaps in communication, and to advise on next steps for formal agenda consideration.