Reported by Emily Lampa

KISSIMMEE -- Debbie Talbi wants to buy her first home, and when she heard the federal government offered Osceola County $14 million to help buy foreclosed homes, she was on board.

"Basically I need help. I don't have enough for my down payment assistance and this is the only way for me to get my dream home," Talbi said.

Under the program, potential homebuyers like Talbi completed an eight hour homebuyer education class through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The certificate is good for about six months.

That’s why those who've taken the class are worried Osceola doesn't have the money yet.

Osceola County is just one of 24 local governments that applied through the Florida Department of Community Affairs for the money.

Fourteen counties and cities, including Titusville, are already spending their money.

Osceola County’s contract was approved two months ago, but it still hasn't received a dime. The state says the only thing holding things up is Osceola County did not submit its Environmental Review of foreclosed homes.

The Department of Community Affairs issued this statement:

The Department of Community Affairs is in no way limiting or holding up Osceola County's ability to complete the vital documents required to ensure their NSP funds are spent in the most efficient and effective way possible within their community. Since day one of this program, we have been in constant contact with the County on the requirements that they, and every other local government receiving NSP funds, need to meet in order to begin purchasing foreclosed or abandoned homes and businesses. To date, Osceola County has not submitted these required documents, which they have been aware of since the early stages of this program. We are hopeful the County will submit these documents soon to ensure these funds serve their ultimate purpose of revitalizing local neighborhoods and improving the lives of residents living in Osceola County.

When News 13 asked Jamie Rowland, NSP Coordinator for Osceola County about submitting the Environmental Review last week, she said they planned to have the documents approved by the board of county commissioners Monday. But they say the environmental review isn't the reason for the hold up.

Osceola County Commission Chairman John Quinones says the state is to blame.

"They indicate that the rules have expired and that they have to do a permanent set of rules and those rules contain the eligibility requirements for the individuals that are going to qualify for the program," Quinones.

James Miller, the spokesman for the Department of Community Affairs says the rules have nothing to do with the application process.

And that once the money is released to the county, it is up to Osceola and not the state to approve the home buyers for the assistance money.

Once released, Osceola County will have enough federal money for 150 homes.

But the money needs to be assigned by December 2010 or it will go back to Washington.

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