HOME Rental Development Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Rental Development program is a housing block grant program used to preserve and create affordable housing for low-income households. HUD allocates HOME funds to certain state and local governments, known as HOME Participating Jurisdictions.

The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) is a complementary federal affordable housing program that serves individuals and families with incomes at or below 30 percent of the area median income.

A new housing project takes shape

State Seeking Input on Draft Allocation Plan for HOME-ARP Funds (Closed)

The Washington State Department of Commerce sought input from stakeholders on the draft of the Allocation Plan that governs the dispersal of approximately $23 million. These funds, allocated through HUD’s HOME program by the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARP), provide for a wider range of eligible activities than is usually the case with HOME program funds. This includes:

  • Construction of Rental Housing
  • Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
  • Supportive services, including
    • Supportive Services as defined at 401(29) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
    • Homelessness prevention services
    • Housing counseling
  • Acquisition and development of Non-Congregate Shelter Units
  • Nonprofit operating and capacity-building assistance

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan details how these resources will be allocated in non-entitlement areas of the state and follows HUD’s template.

The draft of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is available here and was open to receive input during a 15-day public comment period. The public comment period was from February 15, 2023 until March 2, 2023, with a public hearing scheduled on February 21, 2023.

Additionally, a short (30-minute) video is available that provides a high-level overview of HOME-ARP. The video is available for viewing here:

Much more in-depth detail on the specifics of HOME-ARP is available on HUD’s dedicated HOME-ARP website:

Washington’s HOME Rental Development Program

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) administers the state’s HOME Rental Development program. HOME Rental Development funds are awarded to non-profit organizations, housing authorities, and local and tribal governments through the state Housing Trust Fund (HTF) application process.

Commerce’s HOME program is governed by the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan.

Every spring an annual Action Plan is developed to describe how the state will use the year’s annual allocation of HUD formula funds to meet affordable housing and community development needs. Action Plans are annual amendments to the five-year Consolidated Plan and encompasses all HUD programs, including HOME. 

Household Eligibility

HOME-assisted rental housing must comply with rent limitations that are set and published each year by HUD. Household income eligibility requirements vary depending on the HOME activity but tend to target very low-income (less than 50 percent area median income) households.

The State of Washington Consolidated Plan identifies current state HOME-funded activities, which include:

HOME Handbooks

Two new handbooks are now available for the HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs administered by the Department of Commerce.

Commerce, working with a federal programs consulting specialist, created handbooks for the two federal housing programs. The handbooks clarify program and compliance requirements for both the HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs.

Program Guidelines Handbook – provides insight into overall program intent, the application process, and financing terms.

Rental Management Handbook – provides detail on compliance and reporting requirements, including an expansion of Compliance and Asset Management for the programs.

Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)

HUD requires that participating jurisdictions (PJs) set aside at least 15% of their HOME funds for housing developed, owned, or sponsored by Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). CHDOs are a specific type of nonprofit organization defined in the HOME Final Rule (24 CFR Part 92).

HOME & CHDO solicit applications for available funding during the annual HTF Traditional Funding Round, which is generally announced in the summer. Please visit Applying to the Housing Trust Fund to view available funding opportunities.

2023 CHDO Certification Application
2023 CHDO Recertification Form

Program Links

Resources

Section 3 Resources

Davis Bacon Resources

Uniform Relocation Assistance (URA)

Program Contact

General Inquiries
Jessica Robertson
jessica.robertson@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-3133

Compliance/Property Management Inquiries
TyeRae Guined
tyerae.guined@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-2704

Washington State HOME program ranked #1 in the nation!

HUD provides performance snapshots and ranks its program’s participating jurisdictions (PJ) that administer HOME funds. These are quarterly and annual cumulative performance reports, which can be useful in tracking the progress of each PJ, providing context for program accomplishments, and keeping constituents more informed of the types of activities undertaken with HOME funds.

Washington’s HOME program has ranked #1 for overall performance every year since 2016. Washington continues to strengthen communities by providing safe and accessible affordable housing to its residents.

Please visit the HUD Exchange website to view the snapshot, rank reports, and other accomplishments of HOME PJs.