42 U.S.C. § 1437aaa–1: Planning grants

Summary

Makes planning grants to help set up homeownership programs, including co-ops. Grants can be up to $200,000, but the Secretary can approve a larger amount for good cause. Money can pay for things like creating tenant management groups, training and technical help, feasibility studies, lead‑paint inspections, early design and engineering work, tenant and buyer counseling, planning for job training and economic self‑sufficiency, security plans, and preparing an application for an implementation grant. Applicants must file the form and follow the rules the Secretary sets. Each application must explain the planned activities, schedule, staff, and amount requested; describe the applicant and its qualifications; identify the public housing project(s) and tenant makeup (family size and income); include a certification from the official who files the comprehensive housing affordability strategy that the plans match the approved local or State housing strategy (or, in the first 12 months after November 28, 1990, another suitable State or local housing plan); and certify compliance with the Fair Housing Act, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 794 of title 29, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and a commitment to affirmatively further fair housing. The Secretary will set national competition rules and pick winners based on applicant ability, tenant interest, likely success and affordability, geographic diversity, and any other appropriate factors.

Title 42, §1437aaa–1

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(a)Grants

The Secretary is authorized to make planning grants to applicants for the purpose of developing homeownership programs under this subchapter. The amount of a planning grant under this section may not exceed $200,000, except that the Secretary may for good cause approve a grant in a higher amount.

(b)Eligible activities

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

(1)development of resident management corporations and resident councils;

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

(3)studies of the feasibility of a homeownership program;

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

(5)preliminary architectural and engineering work;

(6)tenant and homebuyer counseling and training;

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

(8)development of security plans; and

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

(c)Application

(1)Form and procedures

An application for a planning grant shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish.

(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 public housing project or projects involved, and a description of the composition of the tenants, including family size and income;

(D)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

(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 794 of title 29, 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 tenant interest in the development of a homeownership program for the project;

(3)the potential of the applicant for developing a successful and affordable homeownership program and the suitability of the project for homeownership;

(4)national geographic diversity among projects 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 subchapter in an effective and efficient manner.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Fair Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(E), is title VIII of Pub. L. 90–284, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 81, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 3601 et seq.) of chapter 45 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 3601 of this title and Tables. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(E), is Pub. L. 88–352, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241. Title VI of the Act is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 2000d et seq.) of chapter 21 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2000a of this title and Tables. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(E), is title III of Pub. L. 94–135, Nov. 28, 1975, 89 Stat. 728, which is classified generally to chapter 76 (§ 6101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 6101 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (b)(4) to (9). Pub. L. 102–550 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) to (8) as (5) to (9), respectively.

§1437aaa–1 Planning Grants

Summary

Title 42, §1437aaa–1

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Short Title

Short Title

Short Title

Amendments

Citations & Metadata