HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program (FY 2009 NOFA + Technical Correction)

1) What is the HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program?

The HOPE VI Revitalization Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to help Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) transform severely distressed public housing and improve the surrounding neighborhood.

2) What is the purpose of the FY 2009 technical correction?

The technical correction was issued to clear up confusing language and fix two important timing requirements. It does not change the application deadline, but it clarifies (a) how the land use threshold requirement applies and (b) the statutory dates that govern when HUD must obligate funds and when grantees must expend funds.

3) Does the technical correction change the application due date?

No. The technical correction explicitly states that it does not change the application due date. The closing date remains November 17, 2009.

4) What law authorizes HOPE VI Revitalization grants?

The program is authorized under Section 24(a) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437v).

5) What types of activities does HOPE VI support?

Based on the NOFA summary provided, HOPE VI is designed to improve the living environment for residents of severely distressed public housing by supporting demolition, rehabilitation, reconfiguration, or replacement of obsolete public housing projects (or parts of projects). It also supports revitalizing the project site (including any remaining public housing units) and contributing to broader neighborhood improvement.

6) What are the broader policy goals of HOPE VI beyond construction?

The program goals include providing housing strategies that avoid or reduce the concentration of very low income families and helping build sustainable communities. This frames HOPE VI as both a physical redevelopment tool and a community revitalization effort.

7) What did HUD clarify about the Land Use threshold requirement?

HUD clarified that the Land Use threshold requirement applies to both on-site and off-site land. This matters for redevelopment plans that mix on-site rebuilding with off-site replacement housing, parcel assembly, or other off-site development approaches.

8) Why does it matter that the Land Use threshold applies to both on-site and off-site land?

Because HOPE VI redevelopment may involve multiple locations, HUD is signaling that land-related eligibility/threshold standards must be satisfied across the full geography of the proposed redevelopment, not only at the original public housing site.

9) What dates were corrected to align with the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009?

HUD corrected the dates to align with the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-8, approved March 11, 2009). The correction clarifies that HUD must obligate the grant funds by September 30, 2010, and grantees have until September 30, 2015 to expend the grant funds.

10) How do the obligation and expenditure deadlines affect project planning?

HOPE VI projects often require multi-year sequencing such as demolition, environmental review, relocation, financing, construction, and neighborhood improvements. The corrected dates define the maximum window for spending and help applicants build realistic schedules for development phases and drawdowns.

11) What is the estimated total funding available under this opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount listed in the notice is $113,000,000.

12) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is $22,000,000.

13) About how many awards does HUD expect to make?

The notice indicates an expectation of approximately 6 awards.

14) What is the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number for this program?

The program is listed under CFDA (now Assistance Listing) number 14.866, Demolition and Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing.

15) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the opportunity description provided. (Even so, the description notes that HOPE VI projects commonly layer multiple financing sources even when a formal match is not required.)

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is narrow and treated as a threshold matter. Only PHAs that have severely distressed public housing in their inventory and that meet the threshold requirements in Section III.C.2 of the NOFA may apply.

17) Who is explicitly ineligible to apply?

The NOFA explicitly identifies the following as ineligible: PHAs that administer only Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)/Section 8 programs, tribal housing agencies and tribally designated housing entities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and private citizens or entrepreneurs.

18) Can a PHA that only runs a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program apply?

No. PHAs that administer only Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)/Section 8 programs are explicitly listed as ineligible.

19) Are tribal housing agencies or tribally designated housing entities eligible?

No. Tribal housing agencies and tribally designated housing entities are explicitly listed as ineligible in the information provided.

20) Are nonprofits, for-profits, or individuals eligible applicants?

No. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations, as well as private citizens or entrepreneurs, are explicitly listed as ineligible.

21) What does the NOFA say about HUD "troubled" status and eligibility?

In general, an applicant must not be designated as troubled under section 6(j)(2) of the 1937 Act. However, the NOFA outlines exceptions where a troubled PHA may still qualify, such as when the PHA is troubled for reasons that do not affect its ability to carry out revitalization, is making substantial progress in correcting deficiencies, is not in noncompliance with fair housing/civil rights requirements, or is otherwise determined capable by HUD.

22) How will HUD evaluate a PHA's troubled status eligibility?

HUD indicates it will rely on information and documents already available to it when evaluating troubled status eligibility.

23) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists a posted date of July 14, 2009; a closing date of November 17, 2009; and an archive date of November 23, 2009.

24) When was the FY 2009 NOFA first posted?

The FY 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was first posted on July 14, 2009.

25) When did the opportunity close?

The closing date listed is November 17, 2009.

26) What does the archive date mean in the listing information provided?

The listing includes an archive date of November 23, 2009. (No additional explanation of the archive date is provided in the information given.)

27) Will HUD provide help to applicants before the deadline?

HUD notes that staff would be available before the deadline to provide general guidance and technical assistance.

28) Will HUD staff help write or assemble an application?

No. The notice emphasizes that HUD staff cannot help write or assemble an application.

29) Who is the program contact listed in the opportunity?

The opportunity lists a contact through the Office of Public Housing Investments: Attention Leigh van Rij, phone 202-402-5788.

30) What is the central takeaway from the technical correction for applicants?

The technical correction is significant because it tightens understanding of land use threshold coverage (on-site and off-site) and corrects the federal obligation and grantee expenditure deadlines. Together, these clarifications directly shape land strategy, scheduling, and overall feasibility planning for large-scale revitalization work.