Orange County HOME Funding

The FY2024-2025 HOME funds application is now closed.

Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides annual grants to states and local communities (called “Participating Jurisdictions” or “PJs”). Participating Jurisdictions (often in partnership with local agencies) use HOME funds for a wide range of activities including construction, acquisition, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership, or to provide direct rental assistance to low-income households (defined as households earning no more than 80% of the area median income). It is the largest Federal block grant designed exclusively to create affordable housing. The program’s flexibility allows PJs to use HOME funds for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees, or other forms of credit enhancements, rental assistance, or security deposits.

In Orange County, the Participating Jurisdiction is a Consortium made up of the County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. The County serves as the lead entity for the Consortium. The Orange County HOME Consortium accepts applications for HOME funding annually. The Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative, comprised of elected officials from the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Orange County, reviews applications and creates a funding recommendation that goes before the governing boards of each jurisdiction for review and approval annually each spring.

 Income Eligibility

All projects must benefit low-income households with income at or below 80% of the area median income or “AMI,” adjusted for household size. The most current HOME Income Limits can be found at: HOME Income Limits.