Volusia County Can Help Nonprofits Become Certified CHDOs

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Posted On: August 26, 2024

As part of its Affordable Housing Initiative, Volusia County is helping nonprofit organizations become certified as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and apply for funding opportunities.

A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that is locally certified and focused on developing affordable housing. CHDO certification is necessary to become eligible for HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding, which can be used to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing and strengthen the ability of state and local governments to provide housing by public private partnerships. HOME regulations require Volusia County to set aside 15% of its annual allocation for CHDOs.

Funding for proposed projects must be used to acquire and rehabilitate, or construct, affordable single-family rental housing or other small rental housing projects for low-income households in Volusia County. Funds up to $609,919, which includes funding from the prior and current year, are available to be awarded to Volusia County certified CHDOs.

To qualify for designation as a CHDO, nonprofits must submit two applications to Volusia County:

• The deadline for applications to become a certified CHDO is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
• The deadline for financing of one or more projects is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

CHDOs that become Volusia County certified are not guaranteed HOME funding.

For more information and to request an application, contact Lori Brown at 386-736-5955, ext. 12969, or [email protected].Applications are also available between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Community Assistance Division office, 121 W. Rich Ave., DeLand.

Applications can be submitted in person or by mail to 121 W. Rich Ave., DeLand, FL 32720 or through a secure upload portal at https://vcservices.vcgov.org/secureupload/d/housing.