HOME Program
Please see the following links for the HOME application: |
Technical Assistance Video for ZoomGrants Applications
What is the HOME Investment Partnerships Program?
HOME stands for Home Investment Partnerships Program. HOME is a formula grant that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards to states and local governments to provide funding for affordable housing activities that benefit low-income households. These funds are then distributed to community organizations that meet all the eligible criteria required (as set by HUD).
The HOME program began in the 1980’s when members of congress were looking at solving problems related to homelessness, the decreased opportunity for home ownership, and the availability and quality of affordable housing.
A Housing Task Force was assembled to study the affordable housing problems, and their findings led to congress passing The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (known as NAHA). The HOME Investment Partnership Program was a result of this legislation.
HOME's goal is to empower communities and individuals to create strategies to meet their own affordable housing needs and priorities.
FY25 HOME Request for Applications Meeting
Who Gets HOME Funds?
Fund Allocation
HUD distributes funds yearly to participating states and localities. The amount given to each state or locality can change each time it’s awarded. Typically, 40% of the HOME funds are allocated to states and 60% are allocated to localities.
When deciding what the funding amount, HUD takes six factors into consideration. Some of these factors include
- The number of units in a jurisdiction, that are substandard or unaffordable;
- The age of a jurisdiction’s housing;
- and the number of families living below the poverty line in the jurisdiction.
Consolidated Plan Goals FY21-25
All projects submitted for HOME funds must meet the goals outlined in Athens Clarke County’s Consolidated Plan and all housing units must benefit households with income at or below 80% of the area median income. HOME funding is being utilized to assist with the following goal:
1. Affordable Housing Development & Redevelopment: To increase the amount of affordable housing for low and moderate income Athens-Clarke County residents and to provide access to services that help households access and maintain affordable housing.
How will HCD use the Funds?
HCD will use 10% of the annual HOME allocation for administration of the program.
The remaining funds will be available to recipients on an annual funding cycle as gap financing for eligible housing activities under this Action Plan.
Applying for HOME Funds in Athens-Clarke County
Who can apply for HOME funds?
Those that qualify for HOME funds include the following:
- Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status for at least (1) full year.
- Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status for at least (2) full years of operating experience under another nonprofit entity that meets all of the criteria.
- For-Profit entity proposing to use funds for an eligible activity.
- Entity demonstrating successful experience in undertaking comparable programs or projects.
Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate (or have demonstrated) the capacity to successfully manage and complete HOME assisted housing developments.
Where Can Funding Be Used?
All Projects MUST be located within the geographic boundaries of Athens-Clarke County, GA.
What Activities Are Available for HOME Funding?
Applicants can apply for the following HOME activities:
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Funding amounts may vary based on the following:
- Specific Rental or homebuyer projects
- Number of affordable housing units and bedrooms to be developed.
- Site control and/or planned development.
- Other secured financial resources.
- Qualified Community Housing Development Corporations.
**No more three proposals should be submitted per applicant.
How Much Funding Can An Organization Ask For?
Proposals will be accepted to assist in the funding of the following qualified uses:
Proposal Type | Minimum Request |
Rental Affordable Housing Proposal (Single-Family or Multi-Family) | $200,000 |
Construction Affordable Housing Proposal (Single-Family) | $200,000 |
Homeowner Rehabilitation Proposal on Owner-occupied, Single-Family housing assisting lower income households | $200,000 |
Affordable Housing Down Payment Assistance Proposals in support of new construction Single-Family Development Projects | Request must not exceed 15% of total proposal construction budget. |
What's the Application Timeline?
Applications are received on an annual funding cycle. Available funds will be announced publicly through newspaper postings, electronic mailing, and website posting.
Awards are based on fund availability and will be granted to the applicant or applicants that receive the highest score based on scoring criteria.
Important Dates | |
HOME Request for Application Release Meeting....................................... | August 18, 2023 @ 10:00 AM |
HOME Application Technical Assistance Period....................................... | August 18-September 15, 2023 |
Mandatory HOME Notice of Intent to Apply Deadline............................... | August 25, 2023 @ 4:30 PM |
Proposal Deadline Submission to HCD...................................................... | September 29, 2023 @ 4:30 PM |
HOME Staff Review/Rate/Recommend Funding Awards........................... | October 2023 - January 2024 |
HOME and CDBG Recommendations Work Session................................ | February 2024 |
Mayor and Commission Voting Session for Funding Recommendations | April 2024 |
HOME Contracting Begins After M&C Approval........................................ | April-May 2024 |
How do Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) benefit from HOME funds?
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) are nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria (not all criteria is listed. Please see HUD's site for more information):
- A tax-exempt nonprofit organized according to state and local laws.
- Must address affordable housing to low-and-moderate income persons in their purpose for the organization (i.e.. stated in their Charter, Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, or a resolution of the CHDO's Board of Directors).
- The Board of Directors must have 1/3 of the members be representatives of the low-income community it serves.
- Must have at least one year of experience serving the community it intends to develop.
Participating Jurisdictions (PJs - which includes Athens-Clarke County) must set aside a minimum of 15% of their HOME allocations for CHDOs. In order to obtain these funds, CHDOs must be the owners, developers, and/or sponsors of the housing project proposed. HCD will also allocate 5% of the HOME funds for CHDO operating expenses. HOME operating expenses may not exceed $50,000.00, or 50%, of the CHDO's total annual operating expenses for the fiscal year (whichever is greater).
ACC HOME Funding Policy as approved by the Mayor and Commission
To maximize the impact of HOME program funds and leverage public and private resources, HOME funds will be available as “gap financing” for eligible housing activities under the HOME Investment Partnership Program.
Applications for HOME funds will be accepted on an annual cycle. Applications must include the following:
- The proposed property site has been identified;
- Total development costs have been projected (including sales price and/or rental rates); and
- Additional financial resources have been secured and committed.
Applications for HOME funds are accepted where the proposed property site has been identified, total development costs projected (including sales price and/or rental rates), and additional financial resources secured and committed. This will enable HCD to determine the actual investment of HOME funds required to make the development financially feasible and provide increased housing opportunities for decent, safe, and affordable housing for low to moderate income households in Athens-Clarke County. All HOME awards and associated contracts must be approved by the ACC Mayor and Commission.
Contact HCD for the most recent HOME Loan Application and an estimated time line for application review.
Key Points regarding the HOME program
- HOME projects must be completed in accordance with executed HOME agreement terms.
- Land banking is not permitted under the HOME Program.
- Occupancy and Affordability - Projects are required to be affordable to and be occupied by lower income households. Sales price and rent limits to lower income homebuyers will be determined by the HUD HOME Homeownership Value and Rent Limits for Athens-Clarke County.
- HOME Match - HOME Match is required for HOME-assisted or HOME eligible projects, and must come in the form of a permanent contribution to affordable housing. Generally, investments from state or local governments or private sector qualify as matching contributions, whereas federal funds do not qualify.
- Project completion deadline is maximum 4 years.
- HOME funds are paid on a reimbursable basis for eligible expense according to the approved contract budget and incurred expenses during the contract period.
- Any construction must start within 12 months of executed HOME agreement.
- Environmental Review - All choice-limiting actions for projects are restricted until satisfactory completion of an environmental review is done by ACCGov Staff.