HOME Investment Partnerships Program

HOME Investment Partnerships Program is a federal program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide funding for affordable housing initiatives, with the goal of increasing the availability of decent housing and promoting community development in United States. The program is designed to work in conjunction with other federal programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant program and the Housing Choice Voucher program, to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the housing needs of low-income families and individuals with disabilities. The program has been supported by various non-profit organizations, including the National Council of State Housing Agencies and the Housing Assistance Council, which work to promote affordable housing and community development initiatives.

Overview

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides funding to states, local governments, and non-profit organizations to support a range of housing activities, including the construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of affordable housing units. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing participating jurisdictions to tailor their housing initiatives to meet the specific needs of their communities, in collaboration with organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders and the Urban Land Institute. The program has been used to support a variety of housing initiatives, including the development of single-family homes, apartment complexes, and special needs housing facilities, often in partnership with organizations like the Habitat for Humanity and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program has also been used to support homeownership programs, such as the Section 8 Homeownership Program, which provides assistance to low-income families who are seeking to purchase their own homes, with the help of organizations like the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

History

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program was established by the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on November 28, 1990. The program was designed to replace the Section 17 Housing Program and the Section 312 Housing Program, which were previously administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since its inception, the program has undergone several changes, including the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, which made significant changes to the program's funding formula and eligibility requirements, with input from organizations like the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the Council for Community and Economic Research. The program has also been impacted by various federal budget decisions, including the Budget Control Act of 2011, which reduced funding for the program, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which provided increased funding for the program, with support from organizations like the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Eligibility_and_Participation

To be eligible for funding under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, participating jurisdictions must meet certain requirements, including the development of a Consolidated Plan that outlines their housing and community development goals, in consultation with organizations like the United States Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. The plan must be submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval, and must include a description of the jurisdiction's housing needs, as well as a strategy for addressing those needs, with input from organizations like the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Participating jurisdictions must also establish a HOME Investment Partnerships Program office, which is responsible for administering the program and ensuring compliance with federal regulations, in partnership with organizations like the National Association of County Administrators and the International City/County Management Association. The program is open to states, local governments, and non-profit organizations, including organizations like the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Enterprise Community Partners.

Funding_and_Allocations

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is funded through an annual appropriation from Congress, with the amount of funding varying from year to year, based on factors like the federal budget and the appropriations process, with input from organizations like the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association. The program uses a funding formula to allocate funds to participating jurisdictions, which takes into account factors such as the jurisdiction's population, poverty rate, and housing needs, as determined by organizations like the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The funding formula is designed to ensure that funds are targeted to areas with the greatest housing needs, in partnership with organizations like the Housing Assistance Council and the National Rural Housing Coalition. The program also provides funding for technical assistance and capacity building initiatives, which are designed to help participating jurisdictions build their capacity to administer the program and develop effective housing strategies, with support from organizations like the National Community Development Association and the Council of Development Finance Agencies.

Program_Requirements_and_Standards

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is subject to a range of federal regulations and requirements, including the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act and the Fair Housing Act, which are enforced by organizations like the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Participating jurisdictions must also comply with environmental review requirements, including the National Environmental Policy Act, which is administered by organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Council on Environmental Quality. The program requires participating jurisdictions to establish a citizen participation plan, which outlines how citizens will be involved in the planning and implementation of housing initiatives, in partnership with organizations like the National Association of Social Workers and the American Planning Association. The program also requires participating jurisdictions to establish a monitoring and evaluation system, which is designed to track the effectiveness of housing initiatives and ensure compliance with federal regulations, with support from organizations like the Urban Institute and the Center for Community Change.