Heirs’ Property
Assistance Program
Program Guidelines and
Application Packet
Gainesville
Community
Reinvestment
Area
A. Applicant Information
B. Property Information
C. Acknowledgement and Signatures
D. Program Applicant Checklist
Contents
The Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (“GCRA”) was created in 2019
through the adoption of Ordinance 181001. The goal of the GCRA is to encourage
investment in underserved areas within the district.
1. About the Program
2. Program Oerings
3. Eligible Requirements
4. Application Steps
Section
1
1
1
2
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
APPLICATION
Section 3
3
4-5
6
Section 1. About the Heirs’ Property Assistance Program
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The purpose of the Heirs’ Property Assistance Program is to increase neighborhood stability by
growing individual wealth and access to property ownership through assisting owners of heirs’
properties to gain clear titles to their homes.
The objective of the Program is to assist heirs property “owners” achieve clear title to the property.
This objective will enable homeowners to negotiate with lenders, obtain homeowner’s insurance,
obtain property tax homestead exemption, and obtain repairs or rehabilitate homes at risk for
demolition.
When a property owner passes away (with or without a will), the ownership may become split
between multiple family members. This ownership is commonly known as “heirs’ property,” leaving
each owner a fraction of the property. Without going through probate and obtaining a clear title
of the property, these properties are not eligible for homestead tax exemptions and federal home
improvement grants. Inheritors can also be without negotiating power for mortgage refinancing
and bank loans. Failure to pay taxes will result in the loss of the property.
All of these factors may lead to an involuntary loss of property. Properties that exist for years
without a clear title are at greater risk of slum and blight, which aect the value of surrounding
properties. Probate or other appropriate legal proceedings will help the families gain clear title to
the properties.
As of 2020, there are 833 heirs’ properties located within City limits. One-third, or 282, of these
properties, are located within the GCRA boundary. The Program is supported by the “GCRA
10 Year Reinvestment Plan” Housing Objective, which is to maintain the population and culture
of communities. The Program helps people stay in their homes and is supported by the City
Commission’s Strategic Action Plan Goal 3: A Great Place to Live & Experience.
Section 2. Program Oerings
The Heirs’ Property Assistance Program is designed to assist heirs’ property owners clear the title to
their property. Under the Program, Recipients will receive legal assistance for no cost to them.
Section 3. Eligibili
ty Requirements
Eligible properties must be heirs’ property located within the GCRA district (See Map). Qualifying
program recipients must make at or below 120% of annual federally established Gainesville median
income limits by household size. Contact GCRA staff to figure out this amount and see if you
qualify. You may also visit this link for more information: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/
il.html.
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Section 4. Application Steps
Step 1. Application Submission
The Applicant applies online or by paper to the GCRA. Sta is available to meet with the Applicant
and help fill out the Application as needed.
Email:
bakaitisch@cityofgainesville.org
Drop o:
Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area
ATTN: Residential Improvements Program
2153 SE Hawthorne Road, Suite 223
Gainesville, FL 32641
Mail
Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area
PO Box 490, Station 48
Gainesville, FL 32627
Step 2. Approval
Upon submission, GCRA sta will review and approve the Application within 30 days and contact
the Applicant.
Step 3. Legal Assistance
After approval, the Applicant will be contacted by the Program Attorney, who will arrange an initial
meeting to review details about the case, counsel the client, and determine whether and what
appropriate legal proceedings need to be filed.
The Program Attorney will work with the Applicant to identify the names and addresses of family
members have an interest in the property and the percentage of the heirs’ respective ownership
rights. After obtaining the required information, the Attorney will file the appropriate pleadings with
the court.
If the Attorney determines that a probate proceeding is necessary, the time it takes to process each
case type is listed below:
• In most cases, a summary administration will be completed within three months after obtaining
the necessary information from the client.
• In most cases, a formal administration will take at least six (6) months to two years.
• Contested cases are expected to take longer than one year.
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Name:
Mailing address:
Telephone number: email:
What is the number of people living in your household?
What is your annual household income? $
*Attach previous year’s tax return as proof of income to this Application.
SECTION A: APPLICANT INFORMATION
SECTION B: PROPERTY INFORMATION
What is the address of the heirs’ property?
*The property must be located within the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area.
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SECTION C: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND SIGNATURES
By signing and submitting this Application, the Applicant certifies, attests, and agrees to the
following:
• The Applicant has been provided a copy of and has read, understands, and complies with
the Program Policies. Applicant’s failure to comply with the Policies will result in ineligibility to
participate in this Program.
• Applicant certifies that all information in the Application and furnished in support of this
Application is accurate and complete to the best of Applicant’s knowledge and belief. Any false
statement will be grounds for immediate termination of the Application, and if any funds were
disbursed to the Applicant, the City may require the Applicant to reimburse the funds. The Applicant
has a continuing obligation to inform the City (in writing) of any changes relative to the information
provided in this Application.
• The City does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin,
marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability (protected characteristics). It will not
tolerate any such discrimination(s) by or against its employees or citizens utilizing City programs.
• The Applicant shall not assign or attempt to assign, directly or indirectly, any rights under
this Agreement or any instrument referred to herein without the prior written consent of the City
in each instance. Any assignee shall be bound by all the terms of this Agreement and associated
documents.
• The Applicant and the City each binds itself, its partners, successors, legal representatives,
and assigns of such other party regarding all covenants of this Agreement.
• This Agreement and any associated documents will be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without giving eect to its provisions regarding choice
of laws.
• This Agreement and payment of any Program funding are subject to the availability of
funding.
• All activities authorized by this Agreement are subject to and must be performed in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• The Applicant agrees to waive any right to, hold harmless, and indemnify the City (which
includes the GCRA), its ocials, agents, and employees from suits, actions, damages, liability,
expenses, losses, and costs, including but not limited to reasonable Attorney’s fees, in connection
with this Agreement and any Program administration herein. This provision shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
• Nothing in this Agreement may be interpreted as a waiver of the City’s sovereign immunity
as granted under Section 768.28, Florida Statutes.
• The Applicant acknowledges that the City has the right and responsibility to enforce this
Agreement.
• The Program attorney is an outside attorney and not an employee of the City. The City is not
responsible for the quality of the counseling, or results obtained from legal services provided by the
program attorney.
• Applying for an application does not create an attorney-client relationship between the
Applicant and the City of Gainesville.
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Signature of Applicant Date
STATE OF , COUNTY OF
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of ,
20 , by , who is personally known to me or who has
produced as identification.
Notary Public, State of
My commission expires
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SECTION D: PROGRAM APPLICANT CHECKLIST
□ Completed application form.
□ Previous year’s tax return as proof of household income.
Return complete Application to:
Email:
bakaitisch@cityofgainesville.org
In Person:
Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area
ATTN: Residential Improvements Program
2153 SE Hawthorne Road, Suite 223
Gainesville, FL 32641
By Mail:
Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area
P.O. Box 490, Station 48
Gainesville, FL 32627
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FOR GCRA USE ONLY: DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SECTION
Date & Time Complete Application Received:
Received by (print name):
Reviewed by (print name):
Documentation Received:
□ Application
□ Previous year’s tax return as proof of household income.
Approval:
□ Approved
□ Denied. Reason
Date Applicant notified in writing of Approval/Denial:
