Bridge Loans to Affordability

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Bridge Loans to Affordability is a revolving loan fund established in 2019 to catch up delinquent real property taxes for homeowners ineligible for other grants and loans. The loans are often the last step for homeowners who have recently gained legal title to their home through the Home for Generations program (a NACo Achievement Award winner in 2021). Participants must demonstrate an ability to pay their property taxes going forward for long-term housing sustainability. The program supports Washtenaw County community goals of homeownership and affordable housing. The program addresses historic practices of segregation, redlining, restrictive covenants, and other housing discrimination. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners made a high-impact appropriation of $500,000 to the Bridge Loan Fund in the 2023 budget. These funds will allow a multiplicative expansion of the scope and impact of this ground-breaking program targeting housing affordability and racial equity.