HOME Investment Partnerships Program

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the largest federal block grant dedicated exclusively to the creation of affordable housing for low- and very low-income families. Authorized under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 and governed by regulations in 24 CFR Part 92, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and supports state and local governments—known as participating jurisdictions—in addressing housing needs through tailored, multi-year strategies. The program's core goals are to expand the availability of safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing; strengthen state and local housing capacity; bolster nonprofit housing providers; and stimulate private-sector participation. HOME funds are awarded by formula to eligible jurisdictions and can be used flexibly to support both rental and ownership housing development, with a preference for rental housing. Examples of eligible activities include acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of housing, as well as tenant-based rental assistance. Funds may be allocated through various financial mechanisms including loans, grants, equity investments, and interest subsidies. The scope of eligible costs encompasses real property acquisition, site improvements, demolition, relocation expenses, and operating costs for community housing development organizations (CHDOs). All HOME-assisted housing must comply with HUD's property standards upon project completion and be permanent or transitional in nature. A mandatory cost-share requirement applies: participating jurisdictions must match at least 25 cents of non-federal resources for every dollar of HOME funds expended, unless HUD grants a waiver based on fiscal distress. This match must constitute a permanent contribution to affordable housing and may come from a range of sources, such as private donations, state funds, or waived fees. Entities eligible to administer or benefit from HOME funds include local governments, subrecipients such as nonprofit and faith-based organizations, CHDOs, for-profit developers, private lenders, and third-party contractors. The City of Norfolk, as a participating jurisdiction, certifies CHDOs and coordinates activities through its Department of Housing and Community Development. Information and guidance on HOME can be accessed through HUD’s official program page, and the City of Norfolk provides additional policies and procedures for subrecipients. For more details, interested parties may contact the City of Norfolk's Federal Programs Management Division via hudentitlement@norfolk.gov or by phone at 757-664-6510.