New York State HOME Program (HOME)

The New York State HOME Program is administered by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). The program uses federal HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing within the State.

The HOME Program funds a variety of activities through partnerships with counties, towns, cities, villages, private developers, and community-based non-profit housing organizations. The program provides funds to acquire, rehabilitate, or construct housing, or to provide assistance to low-income home-buyers and renters. Funds must be distributed in accordance with needs and priorities identified in the State's Consolidated Plan. Federal HOME Program regulations (24 CFR Part 92) set forth requirements for formula allocations, eligible activities, matching funds, qualifications as affordable housing, and compliance with other federal requirements. The regulations also establish special requirements for community housing development organizations (CHDOs). Project selection shall take into consideration the recommendation of the relevant regional economic development council or the Commissioner's determination that the proposed project aligns with the regional strategic priorities of the respective region.

Eligible Applicants

Any private for-profit or not-for-profit entity that can demonstrate the capacity to develop and operate a qualifying project is eligible to apply for HOME project funding. Units of general local government that have not been designated by HUD as participating jurisdictions and not-for-profit corporations that meet certain administrative tests may also apply as local program administrators. Jurisdictions which receive HOME program funding directly from the federal government may not apply for New York State HOME Program funds.

Eligible Areas

All areas of the State are eligible, subject to the funding limitations described below.

Income Eligibility

HOME Program funds may only be used to assist households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income. Rental projects must primarily serve households with incomes at or below 60 percent of area median income. Assisted rental units must remain affordable for a period of between five and 20 years, depending on the initial amount of subsidy provided for the project.

HOME Program funds may be used to pay for acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and certain related soft costs. Funds may also be used for relocation costs, tenant-based rental assistance, down payment and closing costs, and some administrative and planning costs, subject to limitations set forth in the federal regulations. Funds may only be used for residential housing. There are restrictions on the use of HOME funds for properties assisted by certain other federal programs. Fifteen percent of each allocation of HOME Program funds is reserved for qualified community housing development organizations (CHDO) in accordance with federal law. Of the remaining funds, a minimum of 80 percent is reserved for projects that are not located in communities that have been designated by HUD as participating jurisdictions.