HOME American Rescue Plan Program

SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Barnstable County HOME-ARP Program Funding

In 2021, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved $5 billion in funding to HOME participating jurisdictions to invest in housing and assistance for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.  HUD awarded the Barnstable County HOME Consortium a one-time allocation of $1,556,508.  During the development of the HUD required HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, the Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis indicated the substantial need for increasing the supply of affordable rental housing available to the HOME-ARP Qualifying Populations of homeless, at-risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations as defined in the HOME-ARP Program Addendum.  Barnstable County HOME Consortium (the “Consortium”) will make this funding available to affordable rental housing developments pursuant to, and in conjunction with, the application process outlined in the HOME and HOME-ARP Rental Housing Development Project Underwriting, Subsidy Layering, and Risk Analysis Evaluation Policies and Guidelines (the “HOME Programs Guidelines”) and the HOME-ARP Program Addendum.  The primary distinction between the HOME Program and the HOME-ARP Program is that all HOME-ARP Program funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the defined “Qualifying Populations”.  The HOME-ARP Program is a one-time, time-limited funding source that must be fully expended by September 30, 2030.

Leveraging:  Due to the specific requirements of the HOME-ARP Program relative to meeting the needs of the Qualifying Population, Barnstable County HOME Consortium encourages applicants to leverage HOME-ARP Program funds into projects that are receiving Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) HOME-ARP Program funds.  Barnstable County HOME staff will collaborate with EOHLC on HOME-ARP Program project financing.

Funding Availability:  Maximum Barnstable County HOME-ARP Program funding is up to $662,000 per HOME-ARP project for two projects located in Barnstable County.  HOME-ARP Program funding is available on a first come, first serve basis dependent on the rental project meeting the requirements of the Guidelines and the HOME-ARP Program Addendum.

Applicable Documents:

• HOME Programs Guidelines
• HOME-ARP Program Addendum
• HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
• Notice CPD-21-10
• Fact Sheet: HOME-ARP Rental Housing 

Applicants interested in HOME-ARP Program funding should contact Renie Hamman at508-375-6622 or renie.hamman@capecod.gov for more information and application forms.

HOME-ARP Allocation plan

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium, through the Barnstable County Human Services Department and its Consultant, Barrett Planning Group, has prepared its HOME-American Rescue Plan (ARP) Allocation Plan which outlines the strategy and planned expenditures of federal HOME-ARP funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This one-time allocation must be used to assist a qualifying population of individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, et. seq., and other vulnerable populations as listed in HUD CPD Notice 21-10, Section IV.   Barnstable County was awarded $1,556,508 in HOME-ARP funds, which will be administered through the Barnstable County HOME Consortium. The Plan outlines the activities and goals planned to address the needs of the qualifying population of Barnstable County.

The outreach process and development of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan determined that the most urgent and pressing need identified was to prioritize the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing. Moving homeless, at-risk, and other qualifying populations who are ready into suitable housing will provide these households with the stability necessary to focus on other needs they may be experiencing.  Barnstable County HOME Consortium will allocate 85% of its funding allocation ($1,323,032) to the development of Affordable Rental Housing activity and the remaining 15% ($233,476) will be reserved for Administration and Planning of the program.  All HOME-ARP funds must be spent by September 30, 2030.

View HOME-ARP Allocation Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) made funds available for housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable populations.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is allocating these funds by formula to participating jurisdictions in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME Program), including the Barnstable County HOME Consortium (BCHC).  This one-time funding is specifically for implementing a new HOME-ARP Program. Additional information can be found on the HUD Exchange HOME-ARP Program webpage (https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/home-arp/).

In September 2021, HUD awarded the Barnstable County HOME Consortium (BCHC) $1,556,508 in HOME-ARP funds.  The BCHC includes all 15 towns of Barnstable County and administered by Barnstable County as the lead entity.  All HOME-ARP funds must be spent by September 30, 2030.

HOME-ARP Addresses Specific Needs Relating to Homelessness and Housing Instability

The HOME-ARP Program is a stand-alone program distinct  from the traditional HOME Program. Since the American Rescue Plan Act’s purpose is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on American communities, HOME-ARP  funds are reserved for specific eligible activities benefiting specific qualifying populations that are known to have experienced much higher risks of homelessness and housing instability during the pandemic

Eligible Activities

• Preservation and Production of Affordable Rental Housing
• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
• Housing-Related Supportive Services
• Acquisition and Development of Non-Congregate Shelters (NCS)

Qualifying Populations

• Experiencing homelessness (as defined in 24 CFR 91.5 “Homeless” (1), (2), or (3))
• At risk of homelessness (as defined in 24 CFR 91.5 “At risk of homelessness”)
• Fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, (as defined in 24 CFR 5.2003)
• Other populations with a high risk of housing instability (including highly cost-burdened low-income households, households who have moved two or more times in the last 60 days, and households living in a hotel/motel)