For Washington University and BJC employees home ownership doesn’t need to be a dream. At a time when the market is active and interest rates are high, help is on the way!
Thanks to the Live Near Your Work (LNYW) program, BJC and Washington University benefits-eligible employees can apply for a $12,500 forgivable loan to purchase a home in designated areas within our region. After five years of living in their home and continuing to work in a benefits-eligible position at BJC or Washington University, an employee’s loan is forgiven.
The purpose of the Live Near Your Work (LNYW) program is the stabilization and revitalization of the neighborhoods, municipalities, and zip codes surrounding the Washington University Danforth Campus, North Campus, Medical Campus, and BJC HealthCare facilities.
This initiative provides down payment and/or closing cost assistance as an employee benefit for eligible Washington University and BJC HealthCare employees towards the purchase of a home within the approved eligibility area.
Announced on November 7th, the expanded Live Near Your Work program strengthens Washington University and BJC’s commitment to supporting the financial health and well-being of their employees.
Once accepted into the program, borrowers can apply the received funds to any home within the program’s boundaries. Founded in 1997 as the Employer Assisted Housing Program, LNYW now covers a wider area of the metropolitan area, including the following municipalities.
- Forest Park Southeast
- Skinker-DeBaliviere
- Portion of the Central West End Northeast
- Soulard
- Downtown St. Louis
- Tower Grove East
- Benton Park
- The 3rd Ward of University City
- Florissant MO
- Ferguson MO
- Jennings MO
- Berkeley MO
- Bellefontaine Neighbors
- Dutchtown
- Overland
Widening the program allows both institutions to make an impact in areas where systemic racial and spatial inequality create challenges for folks looking to buy a home. For people like these, the expanded LNYW program provides an opportunity for positive outcomes through equitable investment and sound economic development in areas where it is needed most.
While the expanded Live Near Your Work program strengthens Washington University and BJC’s commitment to supporting the financial health and well-being of their employees it also provide a variety of housing options for faculty and staff and help revitalize historic urban neighborhoods by providing a wide range of housing alternatives.
Available housing options in the program include 1-4 family buildings, single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, apartments, and townhomes located ineligible areas of St. Louis city or county.
Applicants may also purchase a condo unit or a single apartment. However, they are not allowed to buy an entire building which houses more than four units. The dwelling must also serve as the main residence for the purchaser.
At a time when sustainability and green communities are more important than ever, the Live Near Your Work program is an affordable option that also helps the environment.
Those looking to dimmish their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort will be pleased to know that the program supports sustainability in several ways:
- It encourages folks to come out of their comfort zones and walk or bike to work or use public transportation.
- Owning a house allows residents to try gardening, or if they have a green thumb, they can grow their own food.
- If the residents must drive to work, they will create a smaller carbon footprint because their drive time to is shorter.
- LNYW is a great way to carpool with co-workers.
- Many residents are moving into neighborhoods that provide recycling services.
- Moving into the program’s neighborhoods encourages residents to shop locally.
- Green efficiency begins at home and many of these properties have been fit with better insulation, energy-saving windows and use green lighting, many new properties also offer a programmable thermostat for more efficient heating and cooling.
The expanded Live Near Your Work program also strengthens Washington University and BJC’s commitment to supporting the financial health and well-being of employees through an easy to navigate enrollment process.
Applications for the Live Near Work Program are ongoing. Applying to the program is simple, but those interested should make sure they have requirements and have the necessary supporting documentation.
For more information about the Live Near Your Work program check out these segments from St. Louis Public Radio and Fox 2 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
