HUD is a valuable resource for low-income homeowners.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, is a government resource that aides cities and individual homeowners across the country. HUD offers programs to help people acquire a home, as well as help them repair, improve or remodel the home they already have. HUD block grants for cities or designated groups, as well as rehab grants for individuals ease the burden of expensive projects, improve neighborhoods and enhance the quality of our cities.
HUD's HOME Program
The HOME program was established under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to help state and local governments utilize federal funds through local channels. Participating jurisdictions, called "PJs," are given great discretion in the management of their HOME funds. Every state is eligible for HOME funds, and even if local jurisdictions do not meet the program's standards directly, they can receive funds through the state's HOME program. The program is intended to create safe, affordable housing and to ensure that the funds are filtering down to local organizations for a variety of activities, including owner-occupied home rehabilitation.
Community Block Development Grants
Community Block Development Grants (CBDGs) provide annual grants on a formula basis to cities and local government housing authorities to revitalize neighborhoods in need. The eligible grantees must be the principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, cities with populations of at least 50,000 and urban counties with populations of at least 200,000. Projects that CDBG funds include the acquisition of real property, relocation and demolition of properties, remodeling of residential structures, development of public projects and improvements such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes, activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources.
The Area Agency on Aging
HUD HOME programs also fully support the Area Agency on Aging, which provides grants to assist low-income elderly homeowners with home repairs. Participating jurisdictions can provide assistance to eligible elderly homeowners through direct grants or through established loan programs in which repayment of the principal is not due until the sale of the property, and is based on the net proceeds of the sale. The money from repaid loans is then used as funds for future loans.
Indian Housing Block Grants
Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG) provide federal housing assistance to Native Americans through a single block grant program, rather than piece-mealing funds through different sources. The grants are awarded with the recognition of the tribes right of self-governance, so IHBG gives tribal governing bodies the opportunity to designate a tribal housing entity. The goal of the program is to ease the process of providing federal housing assistance for Indian tribes in such a way as to assure that the grants are best utilized. The grants can be used by eligible Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages to modernize or maintain housing that was previously developed from HUD resources, or acquire, construct, or remodel additional properties.
Tags: funds through, Agency Aging, Area Agency, Area Agency Aging, Block Development, Block Development Grants
