WARREN — The city of Warren is making good on a decades-old offer of a path to homeownership for 10 to 15 long-term tenants of the Sunshine Homes program, city officials announced during their regular meeting Wednesday.

A launch event is set for Nov. 5 at Enzo’s Restaurant, 2918 Elm Road NE, where tenants and city officials will celebrate the start of this long overdue program. Warren Mayor Doug Franklin credited the teamwork of city council, Sunshine Homes, and 7 17 Credit Union for making it possible.

“We inherited a promise, and now we’re keeping it,” he said.

Franklin talked about the moral obligation to fulfill the original promise of the program, which started 30 years ago to provide publicly financed homes for low-income families. “This isn’t charity. This is justice,” Franklin said. “These tenants deserve the dignity and security of homeownership.”

The initiative will turn renters into homeowners by selling them their homes for $3,000 to $30,000 through affordable three-year loans.

Melissa Phillips, executive director of Sunshine Homes, said the program will begin in November, starting with residents in the Sixth Ward as a pilot phase.

Homes must pass inspections, with repairs funded partly by a 2014 grant and contributions from Councilwoman Honeya Price, D-6th Ward.

“We’re ensuring these homes are ready for ownership,” Phillips said.

Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, praised the effort.

“I’m pleased we’re finally here, but some tenants … are still waiting,” Rucker said. Rucker referenced a woman in her 70s and ill, who hopes to own her home soon.

Price, who once lived in a Sunshine Home, called the program personal. “I raised my kids in one of these homes,” she said. “I’m so thankful to see this happen.”

The plan, in partnership with 7 17 Credit Union, was explained to be a monthly mortgage payment that matches what tenants now pay in rent.

“We wanted to remove barriers to homeownership,” said John Demmler, CEO of 7 17 Credit Union. “These tenants have paid rent for 15 to 20 years. That’s the only credit check we need.”

The loans come with a fixed 5.99% interest rate, zero closing fees and no credit score requirements.

The program targets tenants like Ernestine Carmichael-Owens, who sparked the effort by speaking out at a city council meeting in July.

“I’m excited because this is my first time purchasing a home,” Carmichael-Owens said.

She and others have lived in Sunshine Homes since the 1990s, caring for their properties while waiting for the chance to own.