Department Of Commerce

HOME-ARP and ESFG Program Overview

The HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) is a federal block grant administered through HOME that provides funding for reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability. Montana’s State allocation of HOME-ARP funds is provided by HUD, and the Montana Department of Commerce grants these funds to eligible applicants undertaking eligible activities.

The objective of the HOME-ARP Program is to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Montana for qualifying populations.

The HOME-ARP Workshop Slides (PDF).

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Amendment is available electronically (PDF).

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Amendment, which modifies the original plan to include the preferences and limitations established by eligible projects to be funded through the State of Montana's HOME-ARP program, is available for public comment from Nov. 25 to Dec. 11, 2024.

For more information and to provide oral comments, the public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. To register for the virtual public meeting, please use this link. 

Also available are the January 26, 2023 public hearing slides (PDF) and transcript (PDF).

The Emergency Shelter Facility Grant (ESFG) Program is a one-time funding opportunity authorized by House Bill 5 of the 68th Legislative Session to award grant funding to nonprofit corporations that provide emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

The objective of the ESFG Program is to increase the inventory of and improve access to emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness, as defined in the Application Guidelines pending the State's rulemaking process.

The HOME-ARP Application Guidelines are available electronically (PDF).

The ESFG Application Guidelines are available electronically (PDF).

The HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) is a federal block grant administered through HOME that provides funding for reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability. Montana’s State allocation of HOME-ARP funds is provided by HUD, and the Montana Department of Commerce grants these funds to eligible applicants undertaking eligible activities.

The objective of the HOME-ARP Program is to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Montana for qualifying populations. 

Eligible Projects

HOME-ARP funds may be used for certain supportive services, acquisition, rehabilitation or development of rental housing or non-congregate shelter.

Rental housing development activities may include acquisition, development, related soft costs, relocation.

The following are eligible supportive services under HOME-ARP:

  • McKinney-Vento Supportive Services – Adapted from the services listed in Section 401(29) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(29)).
  • Homelessness Prevention Services – Adapted from certain eligible homelessness prevention services under the Emergency Services Grant regulations at 24 CFR Part 576.
  • Housing Counseling Services – Consistent with the definition of housing counseling and housing counseling services defined at 24 CFR 5.100 and 5.111, respectively, except that homeowner assistance and related services are not eligible HOME-ARP activities.

The following qualifying populations must occupy at least 70% of the assisted units for HOME-ARP projects:

  • Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 42 U.S.C. 11302(a)
  • At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 42 U.S.C. 11360(1)
  • Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
  • Other households requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness
  • Other households at greatest risk of housing instability
  • Veterans and families that include a veteran family member

Low-income households who are not otherwise qualifying populations may occupy up to 30% of the assisted units for HOME-ARP projects.

For more information about allowable activities and eligible beneficiaries under HUD, see HOME-ARP Fact Sheets here.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are outlined in the HOME-ARP Application Guidelines.

The Emergency Shelter Facility Grant (ESFG) Program is a one-time funding opportunity authorized by House Bill 5 of the 68th Legislative Session to award grant funding to nonprofit corporations that provide emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

The objective of the ESFG Program is to increase the inventory of and improve access to emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness, as defined in the Application Guidelines pending the State's rulemaking process.

For more information on the ESFG Program see House Bill 5.

The Affordable Housing Development Grant Administration Manual along with published tools and resources details various state and federal requirements pertaining to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Trust Fund Program (HTF) and can be referenced for HOME-ARP grant administration if used in conjunction with the HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual. 

 

Manual

HOME and HTF Affordable Housing Development Grant Administration Manual (Word) (PDF)

HOME-ARP Supplement to the HOME/HTF Manual (forthcoming)

 

Tools and Resources

 

START-UP

Start-Up Requirements Checklist (Word) (PDF)

Project Budget

Budget Template (Word) (PDF)

Project Implementation Schedule

Implementation Schedule Template (Word) (PDF)

Firm Commitment of Other Funding Sources

Guidelines on Providing Acceptable Documentation of Non-HOME/-HTF Funding Sources (Word) (PDF)

Project Management Plan

Sample Project Management Plan (Word) (PDF)

Sample Subrecipient Agreement (Word) (PDF)

Environmental Review (HOME)

Sample Letter and Resolution Designating Environmental Certifying Official (Word) (PDF)

Part 58 Environmental Review Process and Resources (Word) (PDF)

HUD Resources for Complying with Related Laws and Authorities (Part 58)

Agency Contacts for Environmental Information and Notification Distribution (Word) (PDF)

HUD Form – Environmental Review for Activity/Project that is Categorically Excluded Subject to Section 58.5

HUD Form – Part 58 Environmental Assessment (EA)

Sample Tribal Consultation Letter (Word) (PDF)

Sample State Historic Preservation Office Letter (Word) (PDF)

Sample Letter and Resolution Showing Agreement by Local Government to Prepare Environmental Review on Behalf of a Non-Government Entity (Word) (PDF)

Environmental Review (HTF)

Suggested Format: New Construction – HTF Funds Only

Suggested Format: Rehabilitation – HTF Funds Only

Suggested Format: New Construction – HTF and Other HUD Funds

Suggested Format: Rehabilitation – HTF and Other HUD Funds

Sample Environmental Certification (Word) (PDF)

Civil Rights

Sample Fair Housing Policy Resolution (Word) (PDF)

Fair Housing Poster (Form HUD-928.1)

Sample Complaint Procedure Resolution and Complaint Form (ADA and Section 504) (Word) (PDF)

Sample Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy (Word) (PDF)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster

Establish Financial Accounting System

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Sign Up Form (PDF)

Signature Certification Form (Word) (PDF)

Contract

Project Set Up and Completion Report – Multifamily Development (Word) (PDF)

Project Set Up and Completion Report – Single-Family Development (Word) (PDF)

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Records Creation and Retention

Suggested Record Organization (Word) (PDF)

Uniform Relocation Act (URA)

Forthcoming

Procurement Procedures

Procurement Checklist (forthcoming)

Sample Request for Proposals (RFP) for Project Management Services (Word) (PDF)

Sample Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural Services (Word) (PDF)

HOME Supplemental Conditions (forthcoming)

HTF Supplemental Conditions (Word) (PDF)

Step-by-Step Guide to Procurement by Sealed Bid (Word) (PDF)

Step-by-Step Guide to Procurement by Competitive Request (Word) (PDF)

Sample Professional Services Contract (forthcoming)

Sample of a Consultant’s Invoice Meeting Commerce’s Requirements (Word) (PDF)

Construction

Pre-Construction Conference Planning Guide (forthcoming)

Pre-Construction Conference Attendance and Materials Receipt Verification Form (Word) (PDF)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster *Must be posted at construction site*

OSHA Job Safety and Health Poster *Must be posted at construction site*

SAM Quick Start Guide for New Grantee Registration

Volunteer Certification Form (Word) (PDF)

Labor Standards Resources (HOME Only) (Word) (PDF)

Financial Management

Budgetary Authority Resolution (Local Governments Only) (Word) (PDF)

HOME/HTF Request for Reimbursement Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)

Uniform Status of Funds Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)

Uniform Invoice Tracking Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)

Project Progress Report *Required for reimbursement* (Word) (PDF)

Contract and Employment Reporting Form *Required for reimbursement* (Excel)

Labor Standards Resources (HOME Only) *If applicable, documentation required for reimbursement* (Word) (PDF)

Other Requirements

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Poster

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Notice of Occupancy Rights Under VAWA (Form HUD 5380)

Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, and Alternate Documentation (Form HUD 5382)

Lease Addendum - Violence Against Women and Justice Department Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Form HUD 91067)

Model Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking (Form HUD 5381)

Emergency Transfer Request for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking (Form HUD 5383)

Request for Assistance Identifying Assisted, Available Units for External Emergency Transfers (Word) (PDF)

Marketing and Leasing

Multifamily Housing AFHMP (Form HUD Form HUD 935.2A)

Single Family Housing AFHMP (Form HUD 935.2B)

Sample Tenant Selection Policy (forthcoming)

Sample Application for Rental Housing (forthcoming)

Sample Lease (forthcoming)

HOME Lease Addendum

VAWA Lease Addendum (Form HUD 91067)

Project Completion

Project Set Up and Completion Report – Multifamily Development (Word) (PDF)

Project Set Up and Completion Report – Single-Family Development (Word) (PDF)

Certification of Completion and Status of Funds Report -AND- Conditional / Final Closeout Certification (Word) (PDF)

Project Completion Monitoring Checklist (forthcoming)

START-UP

Start-Up Requirements Checklist (Word)

Establish Financial Accounting System

Signature Certification Form (Word)

Electronic Funds Transfer Sign Up Form (PDF)

Form W-9 (PDF)

Environmental Review

MEPA Guidance, Checklist, and Tools (Word) (PDF)

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Financial Management

Request for Reimbursement Form (Excel)

Invoice Tracking Form (Excel)

Project Progress Report (Word)