HOME-ARP Program Overview
The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan – which summarizes the actions, activities, and resources available for the State of Montana’s HOME-ARP program – is available for public comment from January 17, 2023, to February 17, 2023. For more information and to provide oral comments, the public is invited to attend a virtual public hearing at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
The DRAFT HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is available electronically (Word) (PDF)
**New** The January 26, 2023 public hearing slides (PDF) and transcripit (PDF)
All comments must be submitted to the address or email below no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023.
The HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) is a federal block grant administered through HOME that provides funding for reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability. Montana’s State allocation of HOME-ARP funds is provided by HUD, and the Montana Department of Commerce grants these funds to eligible applicants undertaking eligible activities.
The objective of the HOME-ARP Program is to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Montana for qualifying populations and low-income households (those at or below 80% area median income).
The HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) is a federal block grant administered through HOME that provides funding for reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability. Montana’s State allocation of HOME-ARP funds is provided by HUD, and the Montana Department of Commerce grants these funds to eligible applicants undertaking eligible activities.
The objective of the HOME-ARP Program is to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Montana for qualifying populations and low-income households (those at or below 80% area median income).
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects will be outlined following HUD's approval of Commerce's HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The following are allowable by HUD and may be incorporated into Commerce's plan, which will be available for public review and comment prior to HUD's approval.
HOME-ARP funds may be used for certain supportive services, the development of rental housing (single or multi-family) or non-congregate shelter, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, and operating support or capacity building for non-profits undertaking HOME-ARP activities.
Rental housing development activities may include acquisition, development, refinancing, related soft costs, relocation, capitalization of an operating reserve, and ongoing operating cost payments. Shelter development activities may include acquisition, demolition, development, related soft costs, and capitalization of a replacement reserve.
The following are eligible supportive services under HOME-ARP:
- McKinney-Vento Supportive Services – Adapted from the services listed in Section 401(29) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(29)).
- Homelessness Prevention Services – Adapted from certain eligible homelessness prevention services under the Emergency Services Grant regulations at 24 CFR Part 576.
- Housing Counseling Services – Consistent with the definition of housing counseling and housing counseling services defined at 24 CFR 5.100 and 5.111, respectively, except that homeowner assistance and related services are not eligible HOME-ARP activities.
The following qualifying populations must occupy at least 70% of the assisted units for HOME-ARP projects:
- Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 42 U.S.C. 11302(a)
- At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 42 U.S.C. 11360(1)
- Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
- Other households requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness
- Other households at greatest risk of housing instability
- Veterans and families that include a veteran family member
Low-income households who are not otherwise qualifying populations may occupy up to 30% of the assisted units for HOME-ARP projects.
For more information about allowable activities and eligible beneficiaries under HUD, see HOME-ARP Fact Sheets here.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants will be outlined following HUD's approval of Commerce's HOME-ARP Allocation Plan.
Grantees are responsible for carrying out project activities commensurate with the project application and ensuring compliance with all applicable state, federal, and local requirements. The Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) is committed to assisting grantees with these responsibilities and seeks to provide uniform guidance through the Affordable Housing Development Grant Administration Manual along with published tools and resources (hereafter, Manual). The Manual details various state and federal requirements pertaining to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Trust Fund Program (HTF) and can be referenced for HOME-ARP grant administration if used in conjunction with the HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual.
The Manual, along with the HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual, is designed to walk grant administrators through each step of a HOME-ARP project, from notice of grant award and start-up to procurement and project completion, and its organization mirrors the anticipated lifecycle of assisted projects.
In addition, Commerce staff are available to provide technical assistance. Please contact us if you have comments, questions, or need assistance.
The Affordable Housing Development Grant Administration Manual along with published tools and resources details various state and federal requirements pertaining to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Trust Fund Program (HTF) and can be referenced for HOME-ARP grant administration if used in conjunction with the HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual.
Manual
HOME and HTF Affordable Housing Development Grant Administration Manual (Word) (PDF)
HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual (forthcoming)
Tools and Resources
START-UP
Start-Up Requirements Checklist (Word) (PDF)
Project Budget
Project Implementation Schedule
Implementation Schedule Template (Word) (PDF)
Firm Commitment of Other Funding Sources
Guidelines on Providing Acceptable Documentation of Non-HOME/-HTF Funding Sources (Word) (PDF)
Project Management Plan
Sample Project Management Plan (Word) (PDF)
Sample Subrecipient Agreement (Word) (PDF)
Environmental Review (HOME)
Sample Letter and Resolution Designating Environmental Certifying Official (Word) (PDF)
Part 58 Environmental Review Process and Resources (Word) (PDF)
HUD Resources for Complying with Related Laws and Authorities (Part 58)
Agency Contacts for Environmental Information and Notification Distribution (Word) (PDF)
HUD Form – Part 58 Environmental Assessment (EA)
Sample Tribal Consultation Letter (Word) (PDF)
Sample State Historic Preservation Office Letter (Word) (PDF)
Sample Letter and Resolution Showing Agreement by Local Government to Prepare Environmental Review on Behalf of a Non-Government Entity (Word) (PDF)
Environmental Review (HTF)
Suggested Format: New Construction – HTF Funds Only
Suggested Format: Rehabilitation – HTF Funds Only
Suggested Format: New Construction – HTF and Other HUD Funds
Suggested Format: Rehabilitation – HTF and Other HUD Funds
Sample Environmental Certification (Word) (PDF)
Civil Rights
Sample Fair Housing Policy Resolution (Word) (PDF)
Fair Housing Poster (Form HUD-928.1)
Sample Complaint Procedure Resolution and Complaint Form (ADA and Section 504) (Word) (PDF)
Sample Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy (Word) (PDF)
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster
Establish Financial Accounting System
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Sign Up Form (PDF)
Signature Certification Form (Word) (PDF)
Contract
Project Set Up and Completion Report – Multifamily Development (Word) (PDF)
Project Set Up and Completion Report – Single-Family Development (Word) (PDF)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Records Creation and Retention
Suggested Record Organization (Word) (PDF)
Uniform Relocation Act (URA)
Forthcoming
Procurement Procedures
Procurement Checklist (forthcoming)
Sample Request for Proposals (RFP) for Project Management Services (Word) (PDF)
Sample Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural Services (Word) (PDF)
HOME Supplemental Conditions (forthcoming)
HTF Supplemental Conditions (Word) (PDF)
Step-by-Step Guide to Procurement by Sealed Bid (Word) (PDF)
Step-by-Step Guide to Procurement by Competitive Request (Word) (PDF)
Sample Professional Services Contract (forthcoming)
Sample of a Consultant’s Invoice Meeting Commerce’s Requirements (Word) (PDF)
Construction
Pre-Construction Conference Planning Guide (forthcoming)
Pre-Construction Conference Attendance and Materials Receipt Verification Form (Word) (PDF)
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster *Must be posted at construction site*
OSHA Job Safety and Health Poster *Must be posted at construction site*
SAM Quick Start Guide for New Grantee Registration
Volunteer Certification Form (Word) (PDF)
Labor Standards Resources (HOME Only) (Word) (PDF)
Financial Management
Budgetary Authority Resolution (Local Governments Only) (Word) (PDF)
HOME/HTF Request for Reimbursement Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)
Uniform Status of Funds Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)
Uniform Invoice Tracking Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)
Project Progress Report *Required for reimbursement* (Word) (PDF)
Contract and Employment Reporting Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)
Labor Standards Resources (HOME Only) *If applicable, documentation required for reimbursement* (Word) (PDF)
Other Requirements
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Notice of Occupancy Rights Under VAWA (Form HUD 5380)
Request for Assistance Identifying Assisted, Available Units for External Emergency Transfers (Word) (PDF)
Marketing and Leasing
Multifamily Housing AFHMP (Form HUD Form HUD 935.2A)
Single Family Housing AFHMP (Form HUD 935.2B)
Sample Tenant Selection Policy (forthcoming)
Sample Application for Rental Housing (forthcoming)
Sample Lease (forthcoming)
VAWA Lease Addendum (Form HUD 91067)
Project Completion
Project Set Up and Completion Report – Multifamily Development (Word) (PDF)
Project Set Up and Completion Report – Single-Family Development (Word) (PDF)
Certification of Completion and Status of Funds Report -AND- Conditional / Final Closeout Certification (Word) (PDF)
Project Completion Monitoring Checklist (forthcoming)
