HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), administered in Pennsylvania by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is a federally funded initiative established under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. The program’s primary objective is to increase the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low- and very low-income individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth. HOME funds are allocated to DCED by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and disbursed through an annual entitlement process. DCED administers the program with a focus on supporting sustainable community development and revitalization through housing investment. The Pennsylvania HOME Program supports a range of eligible housing activities. These include the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental and homeownership units, assistance to first-time homebuyers (with or without rehabilitation), and rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied homes. It also funds Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) for qualifying rental or homeownership projects. The program prioritizes the creation or preservation of rental housing, homebuyer acquisition, and rehabilitation activities, as well as single-family new construction projects. However, it excludes certain uses such as operating subsidies, acquisition of real estate from the applicant, and public housing modernization. Eligible applicants include local governments (cities, towns, counties, boroughs, and townships). These entities may apply on behalf of nonprofit and for-profit housing developers. Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) receiving direct HOME allocations from HUD may apply under restricted conditions and must contribute local HOME funds per unit. DCED requires a minimum 25% local match for rental housing projects, which can be met through cash from non-federal sources, donated property, fee waivers, or other contributions as defined in 24 CFR 92.220. CHDOs must be certified by DCED for each project and may apply for operational funding up to $50,000 or 50% of their operating budget. Applications must be submitted through DCED’s Electronic Single Application portal. A separate application is required for each activity. Applicants must show clear need, detailed project design, a public hearing, a citizen participation report, and confirmed funding commitments. CHDO applicants must submit certification and operating assistance requests at the time of application. A minimum request of $50,000 is required. Selected projects will receive conditional award letters, and full contracts will be issued only after required conditions, including environmental review, are satisfied. The program operates under various federal and state requirements including NEPA, Davis-Bacon, Uniform Relocation, and Pennsylvania's prevailing wage regulations. Projects in floodways or non-compliant floodplains are ineligible, and development on prime agricultural land is discouraged unless alternatives are unavailable. The 2024–2025 cycle is now active, and applications are accepted competitively until the posted deadline. The program is expected to recur annually, with the next cycle anticipated in Fall 2025. For assistance, applicants may contact regional DCED offices or the central program office at 717-787-5327.

Confer with DCED grant manager for eligibility confirmation before applying.