Affordable Housing Services

Contact
Information

Affordable Housing
Project Types
Housing Finance Program Compliance Monitoring

Technical Assistance and Training
Project Examples

  • Housing Program Compliance Monitoring (HOME Program) for Statewide Agencies -- Monitoring for all housing development projects and programs that receive HOME Program financing to ensure that the requirements of the HOME Rule (24CFR Part 92) are met and continue to be met during the affordability period.  This includes the development and continuous updating of the monitoring guide, on-site review and site inspections of all funding recipients, development and maintenance of database for all projects using HOME funds and technical assistance provided to property developers, owners and managers. The projects include homeownership and rental that typically also contain Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding and Section 202 and/or Section 8 rental subsidies.

  • Housing Program Compliance Monitoring for Several Housing Financing Sources -- including Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF), Housing Innovations Fund (HIF), Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund (CIPF), Community Based Housing (CBH), Commercial Area Transit Housing Node Program (CATNHP), Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF)

  • Technical Assistance and Monitoring for Several Cities and HOME Consortiums -- Reviewing project proposals for conformance with HOME eligibility and other regulatory requirements. Providing advice on all HOME regulatory requirements. Review and assists in the preparation of HOME project funding documents. Reviewing project development and operational pro formas to determine compliance with HOME requirements. Oversight of Subsidy Layering Reviews (SLR). Monitoring projects and programs for compliance with HOME requirements.

  • HOME and HSF Program Training -- Technical assistance and training sessions on the use of the HOME and HSF programs and compliance with HOME and HSF Rules. Subjects include: HOME/HSF Rental Occupancy, HOME/HSF First Time Homebuyer Project and Programs as well as other Federal issues such as Fair Housing and Affirmative Marketing, Procurement Regulations, and Development Considerations.

  • Financial Management Manual and Training Program -- Covered the financial management and reporting for condominiums.

  • Management Training for Professional Organization of Homeowner Associations -- Topics included: professional organizations, business plan development, by-law development and general operating procedures.
Housing Program Information

HOME Program Summary
- HOME is a federal program authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended. Program regulations are at 24 CFR Part 92. The HOME Program provides formula grants to States and localities that communities use (often in partnership with local nonprofit groups) to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

Housing Innovation Fund (HIF)
- HIF is a Massachusetts program that provides funding for the creation and preservation of alternative forms of affordable housing. These forms include, but are not limited to, single room occupancy (SRO) units; limited equity cooperative housing; transitional housing for the homeless; battered women's shelters; mutual housing; employer assisted housing; and lease to purchase housing.

Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) - The Housing Stabilization Fund is a Massachusetts state funded bond program that assists in the production and preservation of affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. For-profit developers, non-profit developers, local housing authorities and municipalities in cooperation with for-profit or non-profit developers are eligible to apply for HSF funds. HSF monies may be used for the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of existing structures for sale to income-eligible first-time homebuyers, including distressed or failed properties, or the new construction of homeownership projects.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
- The LIHTC Program is used to finance the development of affordable rental housing for low-income households. Federal housing tax credits are awarded to developers of qualified projects. Developers then sell these credits to investors to raise capital (or equity) for their projects, which reduces the debt that the developer would otherwise have to borrow. Because the debt is lower, a tax credit property can in turn offer lower, more affordable rents.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) - The Affordable Housing Trust Fund has been structured to ensure that many different types of organizations are eligible to receive financing. Eligible applicants include governmental subdivisions, community development corporations, local housing authorities, community action agencies, community-based or neighborhood-based non-profit housing organizations, other non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and private employers.
 
Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund (CIPF) - The Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund is a state bond funded program that seeks to preserve and improve existing privately owned, state or federally assisted affordable rental developments. Eligible properties include housing at risk of losing affordability restrictions due to the potential for the prepayment of its mortgage or housing in which a project-based rental assistance contract has expired.
 
Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program (CATNHP) - Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program is a state funded bond program available to municipalities, non-profit and for-profit sponsors to support rental housing production or rehabilitation.
 
Community Based Housing (CBH) - The Community Based Housing program provides funding for the development of integrated housing for people with disabilities, including elders, with priority for individuals who are in institutions or nursing facilities or at risk of institutionalization.