All applicants to the program must fill out an application form prepared by the Department of Community Development and conform to certain program requirements. Homestead program property will be offered to qualified applicants for one dollar ($1.00) on a conditional deed basis provided the applicant:
(a) Is eighteen years of age.
(b) Is a citizen of the United States or a registered alien.
(c) Can provide evidence of financial ability and/or construction expertise to rehabilitate an existing dwelling or construct a new dwelling as the case might be.
(d) Has a reasonably good credit rating which indicates a significant regard for the timely payment of debts.
(e) Agrees to meet all the provisions of a time-phased rehabilitation work proposal drawn up by both the homesteader and an authorized staff member of the Department.
(f) Agrees contractually to rehabilitate the property in accordance with housing standards set out in Codified Ordinances relating to habitability within six months after assignment and further agrees not to occupy the property until such time as an occupancy permit has been issued.
(g) Agrees contractually to rehabilitate or construct on, as the case may be, the parcel assigned to him and further agrees to rehabilitate the property in accordance with the housing standards set out in the Codified Ordinances within eighteen months of the execution of the contract.
(h) Agrees contractually to permit periodic inspections by the Department for a determination of whether reasonable and satisfactory progress is being made in rehabilitation or construction on the contracted parcel.
(i) Agrees contractually to live in and maintain as a single family dwelling conforming to the housing standards contained in the Codified Ordinances, the property assigned, for a period of not less than four years.
(j) Accepts full responsibility for the payment of all utilities, taxes and fire insurance.
(k) Agrees to surrender and quit the contracted parcel in a condition at least equal to that when contracted, and upon thirty days written notice by the Department where as a result of a periodic inspection, it is determined that the homesteader has become unable or unwilling to proceed satisfactorily toward fulfilling the above requirements.
(Ord. 8767/79. Passed 5-21-79.)