HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

The HOME Program is a federally funded program that provides funding to non-profit or for-profit developers for affordable rental housing production, acquisition, rehabilitation and preservation.

Eligible Applicants

The following are eligible to apply for HOME funds:

• For-profit developers
• Non-profit developers
• Non-profit organizations designated as Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)
• Municipalities in cooperation with any of the above

Eligible Activities and Affordability Requirements

• HOME funds can be used for the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of existing structures for rental use, including distressed or failed properties, or for the new construction of rental projects.
• Projects seeking HOME funds must have a minimum of 5 HOME-assisted units
• All units receiving HOME assistance must be occupied by households earning no more than 60% of the area median income
• At least 20% of the HOME units must be affordable to households earning no more than 50% of area median income
• Please see the additional program information below for a list of maximum rents and household incomes for your community

Funding Limits

• In general, $750,000 to $1,000,000 is the maximum amount available per project; $50,000 to $75,000 is the maximum amount available per affordable unit in HOME entitlement/consortium communities.
• In non-entitlement or non-consortium communities, the maximum amount available per affordable unit is $65,000 to $90,000, up to the per project maximum. Please see the additional program information below for a list of entitlement and consortium communities.
• A project located in a HOME entitlement/consortium community must include a matching commitment of local funds, or the application will not be scored. In general, preference will be given to applications with full match commitments.

Loan Terms

• In general, EOHLC (formerly DHCD) HOME awards are structured as loans with 0% interest, and a 30-year deferred payment term
• EOHLC reserves the right to assign a higher rate of interest to any HOME loan
• HOME loans to projects receiving allocations of Low Income Housing Tax Credits are made at the Applicable Federal Rate (or higher) as required by the Tax Credits program
• All HOME loans are non-recourse and secured by a mortgage on the property

Selection Criteria

• strength of overall concept
• strength of development team
• demonstrated need for project in the target neighborhood
• suitable site and design
• appropriate scope of rehabilitation or construction
• appropriate total development cost for properties included in proposal
• financial viability of the project
• degree of local support, including local funding commitments
• evidence of readiness to proceed
• evidence of satisfactory progress on projects previously funded with DHCD resources
• incorporation of smart growth and sustainable development principles
• fair housing principles

How to Apply

EOHLC (formerly DHCD) makes HOME funding available through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Applicants must submit an application for funding using the Department’s Mass One Stop+ web-based application..

• Mass OneStop+ Application
• 2019 NOFA
• 2019 mini competition NOFA

Training

Occupancy Training

Program Information

• Draft HOME-ARP Written Plan - February 2023
• HOME Final Rule
• Federal Lead Paint Rules
• State Lead Paint Rules
• MA Fair Housing Marketing and Resident Selection Plan Guidelines
• Fair Housing Principles
• HUD Environmental Review
• Mass Historic Project Notification Form
• Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
• DHCD CHDO Application
• HOME Entitlement and Consortium Communities
• Rental Completion Report
• DHCD Design Guidelines
• HOME/HSF Program Application Guidelines

Public Legal Notices Environmental Review

See the Public Legal Notices Environmental Review for Federally Funded Housing Projects