HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) – Non-Tribal Applicants

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), is a federally funded initiative aimed at creating and retaining affordable housing for low- and very low-income residents in non-entitlement jurisdictions throughout California. These are areas that do not receive HOME funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2025 Project Activities Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) offers approximately $34 million in federal HOME funds to support multifamily rental housing development and first-time homebuyer (FTHB) housing projects. The program provides grants to state-recognized entities such as cities, counties, and federally recognized tribes (as State Recipients) and low-interest loans to developers, Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), and Native American Entities. The funding supports specific project activities including the new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing and FTHB subdivision development. Entities interested in these activities must meet eligibility requirements outlined by both federal and state HOME regulations. Notably, 20% of the funds are specifically targeted toward Native American Entities (both federally recognized and non-federally recognized), with a flexible over-the-counter (OTC) application process designed to improve tribal access. The maximum award per project varies by activity, with up to $8 million for rental projects and $2 million for FTHB projects. Additionally, CHDOs and State Recipients may receive administrative and operating funds, capped at $300,000 or $200,000 depending on the project type. The 2025 application window for cities, counties, CHDOs, and developers is open from January 29, 2026, through March 30, 2026. Native American Entities have a longer submission period, extending until June 22, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. All applications must be submitted through the EUNA Grants Portal; no paper or email submissions are accepted. Applicants are encouraged to register early and set up centralized contact accounts to avoid disruptions. Technical assistance, including webinars and one-on-one support, is available throughout the application period to aid prospective applicants. These webinars will be hosted in February 2026. HOME funds awarded through this NOFA are subject to both federal and state regulations, including property standards, affordability periods, and monitoring requirements. For example, new construction projects must maintain affordability for 55 years (50 years for tribal lands), while FTHB projects require affordability ranging from 5 to 15 years depending on per-unit funding. Monitoring fees apply to multifamily projects, with fees scaling based on the number of HOME-assisted units, although Native American Entity projects are exempt from these fees. Evaluation of applications will follow a two-stage process involving threshold review and rating/ranking based on detailed scoring criteria. Feasibility assessments and cost allocations will also be conducted to determine financial sustainability and appropriate funding levels. The Department reserves the right to modify the NOFA at any time and will notify stakeholders through its Listserv. All applicants are required to demonstrate documented site control and must comply with environmental review standards, including limitations on “Choice-Limiting Actions” prior to HUD authorization. Award announcements for competitive applicants are anticipated in July 2026, with continuous announcements for OTC tribal applicants. Awardees will be required to enter into a standard agreement with HCD within 90 days of receipt. Failure to meet deadlines or provide required documents may result in forfeiture of the award. All projects must close on construction loans within 12 months of commitment and complete construction within four years. HUD's match requirement is waived for this funding round.

Set up portal profile early and use centralized email to avoid access issues; confirm site control documentation and capacity details are complete;