Category: Truth & Rumors

Public Communications, Truth & Rumors, Water Services

Truth & Rumors: Repairing Private Water, Sewer Lines

Rumor: The City of College Station endorses specific insurance coverage for repairing water and sewer lines on private property.

Status: False

It has come to our attention that some insurance companies plan to advertise in College Station regarding an insurance policy to cover repairs to private water and sewer lines. 

In most cases, city ownership of water lines ends at the water meter, and city ownership of sewer lines ends at the property line. City employees are not allowed to work on private lines and if something happens to those lines, the homeowner is responsible for making the repairs. 

Continue reading “Truth & Rumors: Repairing Private Water, Sewer Lines”

Economic and Community Development, Truth & Rumors

Truth & Rumors: Low Income Housing

RUMOR: “The City of College Station is subsidizing low-income housing through federal grants.”

FALSE : The city is not subsidizing low-income housing using federal funds.

FACTS: The City of College Station supports non-profit partners constructing new housing for income eligible applicants. That means this program is not funded through federal stimulus bills or grants. The City of College Station previously used the federal HOME Investment Partnership Grant (HOME) grant to directly fund new home construction through the New Construction Program, but that program has been retired.

The city has five homes for sale, four of which were constructed in the past year. These houses are available only at the appraised value, and the asking price has never been lowered. To purchase one of these homes, the applicant must acquire a private mortgage that meets the applicable underwriting requirements. The city’s community development programs do not offer free rides; the city offers down payments for these homes in the form of a zero percent, deferred loan of $14,999.

Continue reading “Truth & Rumors: Low Income Housing”