§1437aaa–1 Planning grants

Summary

The Secretary can give planning grants to groups that want to create homeownership programs. Each grant is normally no more than $200,000, but the Secretary can approve a larger amount for good cause. Grants can pay for things like setting up resident management groups, training and technical help, feasibility studies, lead-paint inspections, basic architectural and engineering work, tenant and homebuyer counseling, job-training and economic self‑sufficiency planning, security plans, and preparing an application for a larger implementation grant. Applicants must use the form and follow the procedures the Secretary sets. At minimum, an application must ask for a specific grant amount and list the planned activities, schedule, staff needed, and budget; describe the applicant and its qualifications; identify the housing project(s) and tenant makeup (including family size and income); include a certification from the public official who files the comprehensive housing affordability strategy that the activities fit that approved strategy (or, during the first 12 months after November 28, 1990, fit another state or local plan the Secretary accepts); and certify compliance with the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], section 794 of title 29, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.]. The Secretary must set national selection rules that consider applicant qualifications, tenant interest, likely success and suitability, geographic diversity, and other appropriate factors.