HOME Program Administration/HOME Consortium

Summary: In 2007 the Partnership began managing federal HOME program operations under contract to the HOME Consortium. Work includes operation of the housing rehabilitation loan program, down payment assistance program, and home buyer counseling program, as well as marketing, record keeping and required reporting. The administration contract followed a consulting contract to assist the four counties in the Consortium with HOME program operations. Prospective borrowers may follow these links to find out more about the HOME Consortium's down payment and rehab loan programs.

Staff contact: Kristin Silva

Wisconsin Partnership's role: Financing program administrator/Consultant

Status of work: Ongoing

In 2006 the Partnership won a contract to manage federal HOME program operations for the HOME Consortium beginning in 2007. The Consortium consists of four Wisconsin counties (Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee and Jefferson) that together act as a participating jurisdiction (PJ) for purposes of the federal HOME program.

Under the new contract, Partnership staff manage the rehabilitation home loan program, assisting home owners by processing applications, developing scopes of work, monitoring progress, disbursing funds and ensuring compliance with all federal regulations. Partnership staff also manage the Consortium’s down payment assistance and home buyer counseling programs, and will develop a marketing plan for the core HOME programs.

In addition, the Partnership will staff meetings of the HOME Board, ensure that all administered programs meet HOME program requirements, update or develop policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance of HOME programs, ensure timely completion of required reports, and act as liaison with lenders, real estate agents and the community.

The Partnership's work with the HOME Consortium began in 2005, with the award of a one-year renewable contract to assist with several aspects of the Consortium's HOME-funded housing programs. Work included preparing procedures manuals, helping each county organize a TAC (Technical Assistance Committee), assisting the HOME board and subgrantees with program requirements and the marketing of HOME programs, evaluating HOME program requests, and helping CHDOs and other nonprofits use HOME money to develop affordable housing projects.

The Partnership recently updated the HOME Consortium's website (www.homeconsortium.com), adding current information and making it more user friendly. People interested in buying a home can access information and forms about down payment assistance and housing counseling, and home owners interested in rehabbing their properties can access and download information and forms from the rehab loan program.