The POJHA Lease Purchase Program was created to promote home ownership among individuals and families within the Pueblo of Jemez that are fair and equitable in participant selection. This program provides an opportunity for an alternative method to home ownership when faced with financial obstacles and/or credit issues. The POJHA will provide applicants with free Financial Literacy classes to aid in the preparation of homeownership.

Who Is Eligible?

This program is specifically designed to assist low-income individuals and families as determined by HUD's yearly guidance on Income Limits.  Additionally, preference will be given to Jemez Pueblo Tribal members who are elderly, disabled, or handicapped, and to families where the head and/or spouse are working.  The POJHA will determine an applicant's eligibility based on the following program guidelines:

• A household member must be a citizen of a Federally recognized Tribe
• Criminal background report
• Sex Offender registrant status
• Annual Gross Income of household members​​

Upon being confirmed eligible, reference checks will be conducted for desirability. The POJHA will deny eligibility to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants, the Pueblo of Jemez community, or the POJHA Lease Purchase home.

Program Guidelines

• Eligible applicants will be selected from POJHA's Waiting List. The POJHA reserves the right to determine the method of selection from the Waiting List.
• The Lease Purchase Program provides housing units that require a 30-year Lease Purchase Agreement ("LP Agreement") from a Lessee ("Tenant") with an option to purchase the housing unit at the end of the 30-year LP Agreement.
• A Quit Claim Deed will be issued to the Tenant upon a successful purchase of the housing unit from the Lessor ("POJHA").  The Purchase Price ("Principle") of the housing unit will be established between the Tenant and POJHA prior to finalizing the LP Agreement.
• The Tenant will be required to adhere to monthly payments which will be applied to the Principle amount as reflected in the LP Agreement.
• The Tenant is solely responsible for all maintenance cost during the LP Agreement period.
• The POJHA will provide Home Insurance on the housing unit throughout the duration of the LP Agreement.
• Units that are purchased or built as part of this POJHA program will be inspected periodically to ensure the unit is being maintained and is not in disrepair.
• The Tenant will not be able to sell or sub-lease the unit while part of the POJHA Lease/Purchase program. This is due to POJHA maintaining Title Ownership of the home until a Quit Claim Deed is issued.

How Do I Apply?

Applications can be obtained from the POJHA Office or by downloading an Application in PDF format.

Applicant(s) must complete the application in its entirety and provide the following documentation in order for the POJHA to establish eligibility:

• Proof of Income
• Certificate of Indian Blood (Head of Household)
• Authorization for Release of Information
• Current Post-Secondary school schedule*
• Childcare Documentation*
  Doctor/Provider Documentation for Disability*

​* If applicable

Application

All applications must list all occupants of the home in the Family Information section. Any visitors who remain for an extended period of more than 60 calendar days are subject to inclusion on the family's official record.

Eligible applicants will be placed on a Waiting List. In order to remain on the Waiting List, it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to update their application on an annual basis with the POJHA office. This is done by updating your Application and returning it to the POJHA office.

Re-Certification

The purpose of re-certification is to determine and adjust, if required, the monthly payment to be charged. Tenants are required to re-certify on an annual basis. The date for re-certification will be the anniversary of the family's move-in date (initial occupancy). After the annual re-certification process is complete, an adjustment in payment amount will be made effective the month after the month following the re-certification.

Example: A family moves in on March 19, 2020. The Re-Certification date will be set for March 19, 2021. The re-certification process is completed on March 24, 2021. Rental payment changes, if any, will become effective May 1, 2021.

Tenants may voluntarily request a re-examination of income and/or re-certification if they experience any major changes in their circumstances that would affect the monthly required rental payment. Reasons for an interim re-certification are, but not limited, to the follow:

• Loss of Job or Income
• Obtains Job
• Increase in Income
• Retirement
• Family Composition Changes
  • Family Member Moves Out​
  • Family Member Moves In
    • Includes Newborns​
• Change in Allowances
  • Elder Family Members​
  • Child Care Expenses
  • Mileage for Employment /
  • Education (Head of Household/Spouse)
  • Medical Expenses