The HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME or HOME program) was authorized in 1990 as part of the National Affordable Housing Act. HOME is a housing block grant program allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to certain states and local governments, also known as Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) to administer. Program funding is used to preserve and create affordable housing for very low-income households (households earning at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, or AMI).
Cited from the Governing Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – 24 CFR Part 92.
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 multifamily rental housing application process.
Commerce also administers the HOME Tenant-Based Rental Development (TBRA) Program. For more information, please visit the HOME TBRA webpage.
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)
HUD requires that participating jurisdictions (PJs) to 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 24 CFR Part 92, that meet very specific HOME requirements and have the professional capacity to develop affordable housing in their community(s).
Interested CHDOs can apply through the state multifamily rental housing application process, and are required to recertify eligibility on an annual basis. For current funding opportunities, please visit the Funding Opportunities for Multifamily Rental Housing webpage.
Consolidated Plan and Action Plan
Commerce’s HOME program is governed by the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan.
- The Consolidated Plan is a five-year strategic plan that addresses affordable housing and development needs and Federal funding round priorities.
- The Action Plan is an annual amendment to the Consolidated Plan and describes how the state will use the year’s annual allocation of HUD formula funds to meet affordable housing and community development needs.
- Additionally, a Performance Evaluation Report is developed to describe how the state achieved the activities and accomplishments set forth in the annual Action Plan.
The Plans are crafted with extensive community input through public consultation and hearings with community organizations, other government agencies, and citizens throughout the state.
To view previous year’s plans and reports, please visit the CDBG Plans and Reports webpage.
Resources
Two handbooks are 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.
- HOME & NHTF Program Guidelines Handbook (PDF) – provides insight into overall program intent, the application process, and financing terms.
- HOME & NHTF Rental Management Handbook (PDF) – provides detail on compliance and reporting requirements, including an expansion of Compliance and Asset Management for the programs.