Complaint Review: usda Rural Developement

I, wanted to buy my home that I am currently living in. I have been living in my home since 2007, with the help of Mississippi Housing Authority section 8. In 2009, I started to search for places that would help me purchase my home as a disabled single parent WITH an INCOME OF DISIABILITY, AND TANF. I Learned about a program called The First Time Homebuyer Program.

The First Time Home Buyer Program / Institute for Disability Studies. Which is located at THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. After, finding this program I participated in an eight-hour Home Buyer Educational Training in 2009, as a result I achieved The First Time Home Buyer Certificated that awarded me a grant in the amount of $ 15,000.00, that could be used as a down payment for any home of my choice, with a provided list of lenders.

USDA was a listed lender on the list as a lender. I went to USDA, YAZOO CITY, MS in 2009, to see if I qualified for a loan to purchase my home, and a loan to do repairs on my home that I am currently in, and went with the First Time Home Buyer Grant, and my DIABILITY INCOME, and Tanf.

In 2009, I met with Ms. Shirley Bell, who was the loan originator, I asked, the question of do you accept the First Time Home Buyer Grant? Ms. Bell, said yes. The next question I asked, Ms. Bell was can I apply for a loan here with a DIABILITY INCOME, and Tanf income? Ms. Bell, said yes. The next question I asked, Ms. Bell was can I get a loan to do repairs on my home? she said yes. Finally, I asked Ms. Bell if I could get a loan to purchase my home that I am currently living in? she said yes.

Ms. Bell stated that USDA, offers Conventional loans, and Non-conventional loans. I ask Ms. Bell what's the difference between the two. Ms. Bell stated one is Traditional and the other was Non-Traditional. at this point I asked, Ms. Bell if she could explain to me the difference between Traditional and Non-Traditional. Ms. Bell failed to give me a clear understanding at this point about either loan. I still was left in confusion about the loan differences.

Ms. Bell stated that she was going to see how much I would qualify for.
Shirley Bell stated that I needed to fill out an application to see how much I would qualify for. Ms. Bell asked me to bring in my proof of my DISABILITY INCOME, AND MY PUPLIC ASSISTANT INCOME TANF, and proof of food stamps. I took my information in the next day.

Ms. Bell told me that she would put my information into the computer and contact me within the next day or two if I was approved, and how much I was approved for.  Ms. Bell called me to come back to USDA, IN YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI. I return to USDA and Ms. Bell told me I was approved for $80,000.00, USDA/ RURAL HOUSING SERVICE. I stated to Ms. Bell that I didn't need that much of a loan to purchase my home that I am currently living in, and to do repairs on.

Ms. Bell then stated ok. I, stated can I keep this application? Ms. Bell said, yes. Ms. Bell asked how much you will need. I, stated $30,0000, for the purchase of my home from the current owner who I was renting from. I asked, if I could get $25,000, for repairs. Ms. Bell stated I can give you $ 61,000.00. I, said ok. Ms. Bell Stated that I would need to bring in a utility bill that couldn't be more than one 90 days delinquent in the past two years. Next Ms. Bell stated she ran my credit and I was denied.  Ms. Bell stated I needed to pay a delinquent account and get it off my credit and bring her a paid receipt and bring my repair list for my home repairs. 

Ms. Bell then stated that I had a list of choice of a contractor that was contracted to work for USDA. I looked at the list and I saw a familiar name Eugene Bell. I, asked for him. Ms. Bell stated he was working on another project he was unavailable. I didn't know anyone else on the list. I asked Ms. Bell did she know anyone on the list that was available she told me Cobie Collins. I, then choose Cobie Collins.

Ms. Bell then told me she would finish up my application for the loan for the home purchase and repairs in the amount of $61,000.00. Ms. Bell stated that she would have my loan application and the contractor Coby Collins present at USDA the next day when I came to sign my loan application, and contractor contract with Cobie Collins for the repairs, and bring back the utility bill and paid creditor from my credit report.

I went to USDA the next day met with Ms. Bell and brought the utility bill and paid receipt of creditor that she told me I need to pay off on my credit report. Ms. Bell then gave me the application with my disability income, and tanf income on it. She told me I would have to pay $300.64 a month to repay the loan back.

I stated to Ms. Bell, I don't think that I can afford this loan with my disability income, and tanf income. She stated I will get subsidize assistance. I then said ok. I still didn't get a full disclosure to what subsidized assistant mean.

I asked Ms. Bell what did Subsidized assistant mean. Ms. Bell stated you will get some assistant from USDA. I Still didn't have a full disclosure. Ms. Bell stated sign this application so that we can get on with the contractor contract. I, then signed the application for the $61,000 loan.

I, then met Mr. Cobie Collins. We discussed the repair list I created for my home repair. Mr. Collins stated that I could get all my repairs done on the list. I then signed the contractor contract with Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins stated he would get started the next day.

I, asked, Ms. Bell for a copy of my complete application that I signed she stated that she would mail it to me. I never got the copy of my loan application I signed. I contacted Ms. Bell again about the loan application three days later. MS Bell stated that she had been backed up in work that she will mail the loan application the next day. I still have not received a copy of the contract to this day.

I did receive a copy of the contractors contract I signed that day. 

Ms. Bell told me that before closing I would need to purchase homeowners’ insurance in the amount of $741.00. I told Ms. Bell that I couldn’t afford to pay the full $741.00 for the insurance. I stated that when I received my check for September, I would only have $300.00. Ms. Bell stated ok.  Ms. Bell gave me instruction to go to Mr. Cobie Collins office to pick up a check for $441.00 for the insurance. 

Ms. Bell stated that Mr. Collins would add this to the repair bill, when I asked, how was Mr. Collins going to be paid back. I went to pick the checkup. I took the check for $441.00, and my cash in the amount of $300.00, to Farm Bureau in Rolling Fork, Mississippi where I paid for the insurance in the amount of $741.00 and I kept the receipt.

Ms. Bell stated that she would be out the next day to look at the property so that it could be appaised.by Sharkey County Appraisal.  I stated ok. The next day Ms. Bell showed up and Mr. Collins. Ms. Bell stated to me some ugly words about the location of my property. Mr. Collins was viewing the property for the first Time.

The appraisal came out to appraise the house before any repairs was ever done. The appraisal took the results back to Ms. Bell at USDA. The appraisal came out again the next day, he stated that USDA,  

told him to come back to do an appraisal as if the repairs were completed. I contacted Ms. Bell for the appraisal results. She stated that she would mail the final copy. I never received it.

The repairs started. The repairs started off unprofessional. I started to complaint about the contractor to the manager at USDA, Roger Robinson. Robinson stated that he would have a talk with Mr. Collins about my complaint of items being put on my home that was wasn't on my repair list. Mr. Collin changed my list to his left over supplies he had from previous jobs, and his subcontractors were horrible and disrespectful to me and my kids.

Mr. Robinson contacted me to meet with him and Thelma Glasco USDA District manager at the USDA office to discuss my complaint against Mr. Collins. Ms. Glasco stated that if I was unhappy with Mr. Collins, I could get another contractor, and report Mr. Collins to MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF CONTRACTOR. After filing complaint with MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF CONTRACTORS, a hearing was held, and I was not notified, and a judgment was sent to me.

After the fact that Mr. Collins learned that I was NOT GOING TO USE HIM ANY MORE and had filed a complaint with MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF CONTRACTORS. Mr. Collins then went to Wiley Barber his Attorney, and they went to the Sharkey County Court house where he placed a Lien on my home for a repair amount of $18,500.00 which was recorded in the record of deeds. I then contacted Mr. Robinson at USDA, about Mr. Collins and the lien that was placed on my property.

Mr. Robinson contacted me back and stated that Mr. Collins had removed the lien off my home. Mr. Robinson then state that he wanted to meet with me and Mr. Collins to pay him for the labor, and some appliance that he already purchased. I agreed, and Mr. Robinson went to the bank of Anguilla to withdraw half of the $18,500.00. to pay Mr. Collins. This Account was set up at the Bank of Anguilla with repair money from the loan. USDA, Shirley Bell stated that the repair loan needs to be in an account. Roger Robinson went with me to make the deposit of the repair loan.  

I then got another contractor Eugene Bell to finish the repairs in 2010.Mr. Bell started late on the contract. Mr. Bell work was unprofessional, and he had to pay $75.00 a day to me for not starting the contract on time according to the contract. Mr. Bell stated to me. Contact USDA, and tell them that you don't want me to pay you for the days stated in our contract. I, stated I could not do that, Because that was the agreed contract.  I complained about Mr. Bell to USDA, Mr. Robinson.

Mr. Robinson stated that he would contact Mr. Bell about my complaint. Mr. Robinson asked me to come to my home whereas, me and Mr. Bell could meet and discuss Mr. Bell payment for the repairs that were completed, and the repayment for not starting the contract on time. Mr. Robinson stated that the repayment of the contract was going to be deducted from the $20,745.00 that was owed to Mr. Bell for repair work.

By, this time I was frustrated by all the Abuse, and threats and unprofessional work, I never got a full disclosure, or copies of the documents that I asked for that was involved with this loan. I believe now I was tricked into signing the loan document without a full disclosure. I believe that Ms. Bell Misrepresented the finance term of the loan and secured the loan by providing the lender with documents that contained some information that was wrong.

I was struggling to make the mortgage payment in 2010, and I was confused about how this whole loan process at this time was so frustrating. I continued to struggle to make the mortgage payment until I had an unexpected financial and family hardship at the end of 2015. My daughter father could no longer help me with my daughter any more.

On 02-13-2019, I filed a fraud report with USDA, Office of the Inspector General Office.

As, a result I experienced a financial hardship. I then went into default with USDA, in 2016 because I was unable to make my mortgage payments anymore. I felt like I was forced into default by no fault of my own. I never get all my documents attached to this loan. Now, USDA is going to sale my home on 03-13-2019. I am now forced to file bankruptcy which I can’t afford a lawyer. Can someone please help me?