HOME F.A.Q. – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HOME Program?
The Home Investment Partnerships Program, or HOME Program was created under Title II of the National Housing Act of 1990. The purpose of the program is designed to provide affordable housing to lower-income households, to expand the capacity of non-profit community housing development organizations (CHDOs), and to strengthen the ability of state and local governments to develop and implement affordable housing strategies to local needs and priorities. If you would like additional information about the HOME Program, please visit http://www.hud.gov.

Which communities can use the HOME funds?
The County of Riverside, as a Participating Jurisdiction, receives HOME funds annually based on a formula allocation. HOME funds can be used to provide a broad range of activities, including new construction, rehabilitation, acquisition of standard housing, assistance to first time homebuyers, and tenant based rental assistance. The County has been a participating jurisdiction since 1992 and currently operates the HOME program in the unincorporated county areas and within fourteen cooperating cities. The participating cities are: Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Cathedral City, Canyon Lake, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Norco, Perris, San Jacinto, and Temecula.

Who are eligible applicants?
For-profit and non-profit developers and CHDOs proposing activities in the eligible communities are qualified to solicit HOME funds. A minimum of 15% of the total HOME allocation is set aside for CHDOs. A non-profit organization must be certified annually by the County in order to qualify to receive funding under this category. Applicants are encouraged to apply for CHDO certification from the County EDA prior to submitting a proposal.

What are the eligible activities?
New construction and acquisition and rehabilitation for both single family and multi-family projects. There is a 25% matching funds requirement from non-federal sources. Assistance is provided in the forms of loans.

How much funding is available?
Approximately $1,800,000 is made available annually for housing development with $540,000 of that is reserved exclusively for use by CHDOs.

What is the application process?
Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis subject to availability of funds. Proposed developments are evaluated on a competitive basis and meeting the criteria established. An application form with completed supplemental attachments must be submitted to the County in order to be considered. If you wish to submit a HOME and/or CHDO application, please download the appropriate forms from the Applications & Forms page.

Who can I contact?
Please see HOME Contact Information.