HTF Competitive Grant Program

Meeting the housing needs of low-income Tennesseans through partnerships has been a core value of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency since its creation in 1973.  THDA is committed to working with local communities and non-profit agencies to make decent, safe and affordable housing available to all residents of the State.

In 2006, the THDA Board of Directors voted to create the Housing Trust Fund to address the housing needs of the very low-income, the very low income elderly and the very low income special needs populations of Tennessee.  The Trust fund began with total allocations in FY 2007 and 2008 of $12 million in Agency funds, and $4 million appropriated to THDA by the State Legislature. The combined FY 2007 and 2008 allocations to the Housing Trust Fund were used to fund $4 million for the Emergency Repair Program for the Elderly; $1.4 million for the USDA Rural Development Rural Repair Program; $300,000 for the Ramp Program for disabled persons; $300,000 for the THDA Homebuyer Education Reimbursement program, and $10 million in Competitive Grants.

The THDA Board of Directors approved an additional $6 million in Agency funds and the State Legislature appropriated $350,000 in FY 2009 for the Trust Fund.  THDA again allocated $2 million to the Emergency Repair Program for the Elderly; $700,000 to the USDA Rural Development for the rural repair program; $150,000 to the Ramp Program; and $3.5 million in Competitive Grants. The THDA Board of Directors again approved an additional $6 million for the Housing Trust Fund in FY 2010 and in FY 2011. The Emergency Repair Program for the Elderly, the USDA Rural Repair Program, and the Ramp Program continue to be funded at existing levels.

THDA is now seeking creative and innovative proposals from non-profit organizations, local governments, development districts, human resource agencies, public housing authorities, and other departments of State Government for the 2010 Competitive Grants. The amount available is $6.3 million, which consists of $3.15 million in FY 2010 agency funds, and $3.15 million in FY 2011 agency funds.

Highlights for 2010

• The contract term for Competitive Grants will be three years.
• Eligible housing activities are again limited to rental and homeownership programs.
• The income limit for homeownership projects has been raised to households at or below 60% of area median income. For rental projects, the income limit of tenant households remains at or below 50% of area median income.
• No tenant in a HTF rental property can pay more than 30% of gross monthly income for rent.
• Proposals must include a 50% match for the Housing Trust Funds.
• Applicants with 2007 Competitive Grants must be 100% drawn down by February 26, 2010 to be eligible to apply. Applicants with 2008 Competitive Grants must be 50% drawn down by February 26, 2010 to be eligible to apply.
• There is no minimum or maximum grant amount.

Applications for the HTF Competitive Grants must be received by THDA on or before Friday, March 12, 2010.  THDA anticipates notifying successful applicants by the end of May, 2010.  HTF Competitive Grant contracts will begin July 1, 2010 and will end June 30, 2013.

For more information, you may contact Coralee Holloway, Director of Community Programs at (615) 815-2030.