HOME Program
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HOME Project Pictures
Further Information about Athens-Clarke County HOME Funded projects.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME-ARP) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) announces the availability of approximately $2,175,000 in federal funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program funds. These funds may be used to support activities that are primarily designed to assist individuals or households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by developing or supporting affordable rental housing and providing supportive services. Eligible activities and qualified populations are defined in the Athens-Clarke County HOME-ARP Allocation Plan approved in March 2023. HOME-ARP applications will be awarded on a competitive basis. HOME-ARP funds will be available for FY27 HOME-ARP contracting beginning July 1, 2026 for awarded activities.
HCD hosted a virtual meeting on September, 5, 2025, to explain how eligible nonprofit organizations and select for-profit organizations may access these federal funds to administer programs and activities defined in the Athens- Clarke County HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. Applications for FY27 HOME-ARP are now closed and under review.
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) announces the availability of approximately $919,430 in federal funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to increase and preserve affordable housing for low-income Athens-Clarke County residents. HOME Program funds are designed to provide gap financing to non-profit and for-profit affordable housing development entities. HOME applications are accepted annually and awarded on a competitive basis. HOME funds will be available for FY27 HOME contracting beginning July 1, 2026 as gap financing for select eligible housing activities.
HCD hosted a virtual meeting on September 5, 2025, to explain how eligible nonprofit organizations and select for-profit organizations may access these federal funds to administer programs that target Athens-Clarke County housing priorities. Applications for FY27 HOME are now closed and under review.
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FY27 Home and HOME-ARP Application Release Meeting
What is the HOME Investment Partnerships Program?
HOME stands for Home Investment Partnerships Program. HOME is a formula grant that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards to states and local governments to provide funding for affordable housing activities that benefit low-income households. These funds are then distributed to community organizations that meet all the eligible criteria required (as set by HUD).
The HOME program began in the 1980’s when members of congress were looking at solving problems related to homelessness, the decreased opportunity for home ownership, and the availability and quality of affordable housing.
A Housing Task Force was assembled to study the affordable housing problems, and their findings led to congress passing The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (known as NAHA). The HOME Investment Partnership Program was a result of this legislation.
HOME's goal is to empower communities and individuals to create strategies to meet their own affordable housing needs and priorities.
Who Gets HOME Funds?
Fund Allocation
HUD distributes funds yearly to participating states and localities. The amount given to each state or locality can change each time it’s awarded. Typically, 40% of the HOME funds are allocated to states and 60% are allocated to localities.
When deciding what the funding amount, HUD takes six factors into consideration. Some of these factors include
- The number of units in a jurisdiction, that are substandard or unaffordable;
- The age of a jurisdiction’s housing;
- and the number of families living below the poverty line in the jurisdiction.
Consolidated Plan Goals FY21-25
All projects submitted for HOME funds must meet the goals outlined in Athens Clarke County’s Consolidated Plan and all housing units must benefit households with income at or below 80% of the area median income. HOME funding is being utilized to assist with the following goal:
1. Affordable Housing Development & Redevelopment: To increase the amount of affordable housing for low and moderate income Athens-Clarke County residents and to provide access to services that help households access and maintain affordable housing.
How will HCD use the Funds?
HCD will use 10% of the annual HOME allocation for administration of the program.
The remaining funds will be available to recipients on an annual funding cycle as gap financing for eligible housing activities under this Action Plan.