" Are these people going to be able to pay their house payments once their downpayments are made? Will there be anyway to get the money back if they fail and end up filing bankruptcy? $15k for closing costs & downpayments! Wow. We just put down $1600.00 closing cost on a $175K home. We didn't have to put down $13k. Where do these figures come from? Citizens, this is your money? Don't just let them hand out forgivable money. Let's have something to get ahold of if they don't do their part. "

" Thanks for the great questions which give the opportunity to explain more about homeownership opportunity programs. The downpayment and closing assistance makes the monthly payments affordable for the homebuyer. Here are few reasons to invest taxpayer funds to create homeownership opportunities for families and individuals: Homeownership builds families. According to the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership: • Nationally, the median net worth of a low-to-moderate income homeowner is more than 13 times that of a similar renter • A typical family that receives assistance to purchase a home will accumulate more than $43,000 in home equity in ten years of homeownership • Children of homeowners are nearly 60% more likely to own a home within 10 years of moving from their parents’ homes than similar children of renters; 25% more likely to graduate from high school; and 116% more likely to become a college graduate Homeownership strengthens our communities. • Homeownerships typically live in a community 3 times longer than a renter • Homeowners are 28% more likely to repair or improve their homes than renters Homeownership builds our state and national economy • Nationally home equity growth amounts to $3 billion annually • Housing is a key component of our nation’s economy – accounting for about 15 percent of the gross domestic product • Home sales generate $7.6 billion per year in Realtor fees and lender revenues Downpayment assistance helps to make homes more affordable so to lessen the chance of bankruptcy, default, etc. Homeowners that receive downpayment assistance through programs like the one administered by LAP are required to undergo a homebuyer education class. Successful completion of homebuyer education classes is proven to reduce loan defaults by as much as 30%. Most homeownership programs are structured so that funds are payable in the case of foreclosures or sale of the home before the affordability period has expired. For more information on homeownership please go to www.buildnebraska.org or to nw.org (NeighborWorks USA) "

" If your credit is not perfect you sometimes are encouraged to put down more on your mortgage and avoid points on your loan. Plus putting down more on your mortgage can reduce your payments, perhaps making it easier for these citizens to make their payment consistently. Let's not be synical and nasty tax payer! Just because you can clearly easily afford a $175k home doesn't mean everyone can and it also doesn't mean you need to look down your nose at those that can't! "

" I think these are great programs to help people that otherwise would not be able to own a home. Not everyone is able to do it on their own and this helps families have a little bit of the american dream. It also helps out the community by placing caring people in areas that would otherwise not have it. For the tax payer I can see your complaint there. But evidently you have never had to scrap the bottom of the barrel yourself. Not everyone is as fortunate as you and as you can see they have to have a job so they are also tax payers. "

" " This sounds like a great program, coming from a low income background, being the first to gradurate highschool and going to college, its nice to know that there are programs like this out there. No one in my family has ever owned a house, we have always rented. I would love to own a home of my own, to be able to watch my children grow in the same house year after year. If you think tax payer that this is too much to ask you have never been in a situation like mine. Yes most people will be able to make their monthly payments. I am a tax payer just like you, but I am unable to come up with closing cost and downpayments, and this program is a great thing. Don't be go greedy. "

" To taxpayer: This is NOT yours or taxpayer's money. This is a grant to Lincoln Action program for the express purpose of helping less fortunate buy a home. Please read and understand before you bias others with your comments. "