HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) is administering the Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Housing opportunity under the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP). This program is part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and aims to assist vulnerable populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those fleeing domestic violence, trafficking, or other unsafe conditions. The program provides funding through HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to support the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of non-congregate shelter housing units. The total funding available for this round is $6,382,683, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $3,191,342. Projects must serve qualifying populations by providing temporary shelter facilities that are not in congregate settings. Eligible expenses include acquisition costs, demolition, development hard costs such as site utilities and supportive facilities, soft costs related to financing and development, and replacement reserves. However, ongoing operational costs or the conversion of NCS units to other housing types are not allowed under this funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government entities. Nonprofits must hold 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status and demonstrate experience in low-income housing development and operation. Government entities may be federal, state, local, or multijurisdictional agencies. Applicants must show material participation throughout the project life cycle and cannot be controlled by a for-profit entity. Applications must be complete, follow a structured format, and include all required documentation such as development plans, budgets, site control evidence, and federal compliance certifications. Applications must be submitted electronically via the ADFA Programs Portal. Access to the portal must be requested through the Provider Setup Form-HOMEARP. The application window opens on December 8, 2025, and closes on March 9, 2026, at 4:30 PM Central Time. All submissions must be received by the deadline to be considered. Applicants should prepare to initiate their projects within 12 months of the award date. Awards are at the sole discretion of ADFA and are subject to underwriting and board approval. Proposals will be evaluated based on completeness, eligibility, and adherence to scoring criteria, which consider factors like unit production, cost efficiency, geographic distribution, and added amenities. Tie-breakers may include the number of units produced or the cost per unit. Selected applicants will be notified within 60 days of the deadline. Compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, including fair housing, environmental, labor, and procurement laws, is required throughout the grant period. Technical assistance documents and regulatory references are available through HUD and ADFA. Further questions may be directed to ADFA staff by email before the deadline. After submission, no contact with ADFA Board members is permitted except for clarification requests initiated by ADFA.

Review HUD and ADFA HOME-ARP materials carefully; ensure compliance with threshold requirements to avoid rejection