HOME Investment Partnerships Program

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to states and localities that communities use - often in partnership with local nonprofit groups - to fund a wide range of activities including:

•  Building, buying and/or rehabilitating affordable rental housing
• Providing direct rental assistance to low-income people

At least 15 percent of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds must be set aside for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that has staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves. In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience. 

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission will make the determination regarding qualification to use HOME CHDO set-aside funds in the unincorporated county areas of Sonoma County, as well as in the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and the Town of Windsor.

With the Community Development Commission’s approval, CHDOs in Sonoma County may use HOME funds for the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of rental housing, or new construction of rental housing.  However, in order to count towards the 15 percent set-aside, a CHDO must act as the owner, developer, or sponsor of the project, and must show that they will maintain “effective control” of the development after completion and occupancy.

For more information on Community Housing Development Organizations, see 24 CFR 92 Subpart G:

• 24 CFR 92.208- Eligible CHDO operating expenses and capacity building costs
   
• 24 CFR 92.300- Set-aside for community housing development organizations
   
• 24 CFR 92.301- Project-specific assistance to community housing development organizations