42 USC 12898 - Enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants

Collapse to view only § 12898a. Enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants

§ 12891. Program authority
§ 12892. Planning grants
§ 12893. Implementation grants
§ 12894. Homeownership program requirements
§ 12895. Other program requirements
§ 12896. Definitions
§ 12897. Limitation on selection criteria
§ 12898. Implementation
§ 12898a. Enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants

§ 12891. Program authority

The Secretary is authorized to make—

(1) planning grants to help applicants develop homeownership programs in accordance with this part; and

(2) implementation grants to enable applicants to carry out homeownership programs in accordance with this part.

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 441, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4172; Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 181(a)(2)(B)(ii), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3735.)

§ 12892. Planning grants

(a) Grants

(b) Eligible activities

Planning grants may be used for activities to develop homeownership programs (which may include programs for cooperative ownership), including—

(1) identifying eligible properties;

(2) training and technical assistance of applicants related to the development of a specific homeownership program;

(3) studies of the feasibility of specific homeownership programs;

(4) inspection for lead-based paint hazards, as required by section 4822(a) of this title;

(5) preliminary architectural and engineering work;

(6) homebuyer counseling and training;

(7) planning for economic development, job training, and self-sufficiency activities that promote economic self-sufficiency for homebuyers and homeowners under the homeownership program;

(8) development of security plans; and

(9) preparation of an application for an implementation grant under this part.

(1) Form and procedures

(2) Minimum requirements

The Secretary shall require that an application contain at a minimum—

(A) a request for a planning grant, specifying the activities proposed to be carried out, the schedule for completing the activities, the personnel necessary to complete the activities, and the amount of the grant requested;

(B) a description of the applicant and a statement of its qualifications;

(C) identification and description of the eligible properties likely to be involved, and a description of the composition of the potential homebuyers and residents of the areas in which such eligible properties are located, including family size and income;

(D) a certification by the public official responsible for submitting the comprehensive housing affordability strategy under

(E) a certification that the applicant will comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], and will affirmatively further fair housing.

(d) Selection criteria

The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish selection criteria for a national competition for assistance under this section, which shall include—

(1) the qualifications or potential capabilities of the applicant;

(2) the extent of interest in the development of a homeownership program;

(3) the potential of the applicant for developing a successful and affordable homeownership program and the availability and suitability of eligible properties in the applicable geographic area with respect to the application;

(4) national geographic diversity among housing for which applicants are selected to receive assistance; and

(5) such other factors that the Secretary shall require that (in the determination of the Secretary) are appropriate for purposes of carrying out the program established by this part in an effective and efficient manner.

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 442, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4172; Pub. L. 102–550, title X, § 1012(j)(1), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3906.)

§ 12893. Implementation grants

(a) Grants

(b) Eligible activities

Implementation grants may be used for activities to carry out homeownership programs (which may include programs for cooperative ownership), including the following activities:

(1) Architectural and engineering work.

(2) Acquisition of the property for the purpose of transferring ownership to eligible families in accordance with a homeownership program meeting the requirements of this part.

(3) Rehabilitation of the property covered by the homeownership program, in accordance with standards established by the Secretary.

(4) Abatement of lead-based paint hazards, as required by section 4822(a) of this title.

(5) Administrative costs of the applicant, which may not exceed 15 percent of the amount of assistance provided under this section.

(6) Counseling and training of homebuyers and homeowners under the homeownership program.

(7) Relocation of eligible families who elect to move.

(8) Any necessary temporary relocation of homebuyers during rehabilitation.

(9) Legal fees.

(10) Defraying costs for the ongoing training needs of the recipient that are related to developing and carrying out the homeownership program.

(11) Economic development activities that promote economic self-sufficiency of homebuyers and homeowners under the homeownership program.

(1) In general

(2) Form

Such contributions may be in the form of—

(A) cash contributions from non-Federal resources which may not include funds from a grant made under section 5306(b) or section 5306(d) of this title;

(B) payment of administrative expenses, as defined by the Secretary, from non-Federal resources, including funds from a grant made under section 5306(b) or section 5306(d) of this title;

(C) the value of taxes, fees, or other charges that are normally and customarily imposed but are waived, foregone, or deferred in a manner that facilitates the implementation of a homeownership program assisted under this part;

(D) the value of investment in on-site and off-site infrastructure required for a homeownership program assisted under this part; or

(E) such other in-kind contributions as the Secretary may approve.

Contributions for administrative expenses shall be recognized only up to an amount equal to 7 percent of the total amount of grants made available under this section.

(d) Application

(1) Form and procedure

(2) Minimum requirements

The Secretary shall require that an application contain at a minimum—

(A) a request for an implementation grant, specifying the amount of the grant requested and its proposed uses;

(B) a description of the qualifications and experience of the applicant in providing low-income housing;

(C) a description of the proposed homeownership program, consistent with section 12894 of this title and the other requirements of this part specifying the activities proposed to be carried out and their estimated costs, identifying reasonable schedules for carrying it out, and demonstrating that the program will comply with the affordability requirements under section 12894(b) of this title;

(D) an identification and description of the properties to be acquired under the homeownership program and a description of the composition of potential eligible families, including family size and income;

(E) a description of and commitment for the resources that are expected to be made available to provide the matching funding required under subsection (c) and of other resources that are expected to be made available in support of the homeownership program;

(F) identification and description of the financing proposed for any (i) rehabilitation and (ii) acquisition (I) of the project, where applicable, by an entity for transfer to eligible families, and (II) by eligible families of ownership interests in, or shares representing, units in the project;

(G) the proposed sales prices for the properties, the basis for such price determinations, and terms to an entity, if any, that will purchase that property for resale to eligible families;

(H) the proposed sales prices, if any, and terms to eligible families;

(I) identification and description of the entity that will operate and manage the property;

(J) a certification by the public official responsible for submitting the comprehensive housing affordability strategy under section 12705 of this title that the proposed activities are consistent with the approved housing strategy of the State or unit of general local government within which the project is located (or, during the first 12 months after November 28, 1990, that the application is consistent with such other existing State or local housing plan or strategy that the Secretary shall determine to be appropriate); and

(K) a certification that the applicant will comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], and will affirmatively further fair housing.

(e) Selection criteria

The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for assistance under this part, which shall include—

(1) the ability of the applicant to develop and carry out the proposed homeownership program, taking into account the qualifications and experience of the applicant and the quality of any related ongoing program of the applicant;

(2) the feasibility of the homeownership program;

(3) the quality and viability of the proposed homeownership program;

(4) the extent to which suitable eligible property is available for use under the program in the area to be served, and the extent to which the types of property expected to be covered by the proposed homeownership program are federally owned;

(5) whether the approved comprehensive housing affordability strategy for the jurisdiction within which the eligible property is located includes the proposed homeownership program as one of the general priorities identified pursuant to section 12705(b)(7) of this title;

(6) national geographic diversity among housing for which applicants are selected to receive assistance; and

(7) the extent to which a sufficient supply of affordable rental housing of the type assisted under this part exists in the locality, so that the implementation of the homeownership program will not appreciably reduce the number of such rental units available to residents currently residing in such units or eligible for residency in such units.

(f) Approval

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 443, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4174; Pub. L. 102–550, title X, § 1012(j)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3906; Pub. L. 103–233, title II, § 221, Apr. 11, 1994, 108 Stat. 366.)

§ 12894. Homeownership program requirements

(a) In general

(b) Affordability

(d) Plan

A homeownership program under this part shall provide, and include a plan, for—

(1) identifying and selecting eligible families to participate in the homeownership program;

(2) providing relocation assistance to families who elect to move; and

(3) ensuring continued affordability of the property to homebuyers and homeowners.

(e) Housing quality standards

The application shall include a plan ensuring that the unit—

(1) will be free from any defects that pose a danger to health or safety before transfer of an ownership interest in, or shares representing, a unit to an eligible family; and

(2) will, not later than 2 years after the transfer to an eligible family, meet minimum housing standards established by the Secretary for the purpose of this title.2

2 So in original. See References in Text note below.

(f) Preference for acquisition of vacant units

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 444,

§ 12895. Other program requirements

(a) Cost limitations

(b) Use of proceeds from sales to eligible families

(1) In general

(A) Transfer permitted

(B) Right to purchase

(2) 6 years or less

In the case of a transfer within 6 years of the acquisition under the program, the homeownership program shall provide for appropriate restrictions to assure that an eligible family may not receive any undue profit. The plan shall provide for limiting the family’s consideration for its interest in the property to the total of—

(A) the contribution to equity paid by the family;

(B) the value, as determined by such means as the Secretary shall determine through regulation, of any improvements installed at the expense of the family during the family’s tenure as owner; and

(C) the appreciated value determined by an inflation allowance at a rate which may be based on a cost-of-living index, an income index, or market index as determined by the Secretary through regulation and agreed to by the purchaser and the entity that transfers ownership interests in, or shares representing, units to eligible families (or another entity specified in the approved application), at the time of initial sale, and applied against the contribution to equity.

Such an entity may, at the time of initial sale, enter into an agreement with the family to set a maximum amount which this appreciation may not exceed.

(3) 6–20 years

(4) Use of recaptured funds

(d) Third party rights

(e) Protection of nonpurchasing families

(h)1

1 So in original. Probably should be “(f)”.

Records and audit of recipients of assistance

(1) In general

(2) Access by Secretary

(3) Access by Comptroller General

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 445, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4177.)

§ 12896. DefinitionsFor purposes of this part:

(1) The term “applicant” means a private nonprofit organization, cooperative association, or a public agency (including an agency or instrumentality thereof) in cooperation with a private nonprofit organization.

(2) The term “displaced homemaker” has the same meaning as in section 12704 of this title.

(3) The term “eligible family” means a family or individual who—

(A) has an income that does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families; and

(B) is a first-time homebuyer.

(4) The term “eligible property” means a single family property, containing no more than four units, that is owned or held by the Secretary, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Resolution Trust Corporation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, the General Services Administration, any other Federal agency, a State or local government (including any in rem property), or a public housing agency or an Indian housing authority (excluding public or Indian housing under the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.] and including properties held by institutions within the jurisdiction of the Resolution Trust Corporation).

(5) The term “first-time homebuyer” has the same meaning as in section 12704 of this title.

(6) The term “homeownership program” means a program for homeownership under this part.

(7) The term “Indian housing authority” has the meaning given such term in section 3(b)(11) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

(8) The term “low-income family” has the meaning given such term in section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)].

(9) The term “public housing agency” has the meaning given such term in section 3(b)(6) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(6)].

(10) The term “recipient” means an applicant approved to receive a grant under this part or such other entity specified in the approved application that will assume the obligations of the recipient under this part.

(11) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(12) The term “single parent” means an individual who—

(A) is unmarried or legally separated from a spouse; and

(B)

(i) has 1 or more minor children for whom the individual has custody or joint custody; or

(ii) is pregnant.

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 446, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4179; Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 181(g)(2), (h), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3736.)

§ 12897. Limitation on selection criteria

In establishing criteria for selecting applicants to receive assistance under this part, the Secretary may not establish any selection criterion or criteria that grant or deny such assistance to an applicant (or have the effect of granting or denying assistance) based on the implementation, continuation, or discontinuation of any public policy, regulation, or law of any jurisdiction in which the applicant or project is located.

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 447, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4180.)

§ 12898. Implementation

Not later than the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date funds authorized under this part first become available for obligation, the Secretary shall by notice establish such requirements as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this part. Such requirements shall be subject to section 553 of title 5. The Secretary shall issue regulations based on the initial notice before the expiration of the 8-month period beginning on the date of the notice.

(Pub. L. 101–625, title IV, § 448, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4180.)

§ 12898a. Enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants

(a) Statement of purpose

It is the purpose of this section—

(1) to encourage homeownership by families in the United States who are not otherwise able to afford homeownership;

(2) to encourage the redevelopment of economically depressed areas; and

(3) to provide better housing opportunities in federally approved and equivalent State-approved enterprise zones.

(b) Definitions

For purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Home

(2) Metropolitan statistical area

(3) Nonprofit organization

(4) Secretary

(5) State

(6) Unit of general local government

(1) In general

(2) Applications

(d) Eligible uses of assistance

(1) In general

(2) Specific requirements

Each loan made to a family under this subsection shall—

(A) be secured by a second mortgage held by the Secretary on the property involved;

(B) be in an amount not exceeding $15,000;

(D) be repayable to the Secretary upon the sales, lease, or other transfer of such property.

(e) Program requirements

(1) In general

(2) Family need

Each family purchasing a home under this section shall—

(A) have a family income on the date of such purchase that is not more than the median income for a family of 4 persons (adjusted for family size) in the metropolitan statistical area in which a federally approved or equivalent State-approved enterprise zone is located; and

(B) not have owned a home during the 3-year period preceding such purchase.

(3) Downpayment

(4) Leasing prohibition

(f) Terms and conditions of assistance

(1) Local consultation

No proposed enterprise zone homeownership opportunity program may be approved by the Secretary under this section unless the applicant involved demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—

(A) it has consulted with and received the support of residents of the neighborhood in which such program is to be located; and

(B) it has the approval of each unit of general local government in which such program is to be located.

(2) Program schedule

(3) Location

(4) Sales contracts

(g) Program selection criteria

(1) In general

In selecting enterprise zone homeownership opportunity programs for assistance under this section from among eligible programs, the Secretary shall make such selection on the basis of the extent to which—

(A) non-Federal public or private entities will contribute land necessary to make each program feasible;

(B) non-Federal public and private financial or other contributions (including tax abatements, waivers of fees related to development, waivers of construction, development, or zoning requirements, and direct financial contributions) will reduce the cost of home 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “homes”.

constructed or rehabilitated under each program;

(C) each program will produce the greatest number of units for the least amount of assistance provided under this section, taking into consideration the cost differences among different market areas; and

(D) each program provides for the involvement of local residents in the planning, and construction or rehabilitation, of homes.

(2) Exception

(h) Regulations

(i) Funding

(Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 186, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3748.)