Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) is a competitive HUD discretionary grant designed to expand affordable homeownership by supporting self-help housing models where low-income homebuyers help build their own homes. Instead of paying for the actual construction work with grant dollars, the program targets early, high-impact development costs that often block projects from moving forward, such as buying land and putting in or upgrading basic infrastructure. The core idea is to promote homeownership opportunities that are affordable, community-oriented, and geographically broad, while also encouraging innovative approaches that can be replicated across multiple markets.

Funding is awarded to national or regional nonprofit organizations, including consortia of nonprofits, that can demonstrate the experience and capacity to operate self-help homeownership programs at scale. A key requirement is that grantees must use a significant portion of their SHOP funds in at least two states, reinforcing the program's emphasis on national or multi-state reach rather than purely local initiatives. Individuals and stand-alone local nonprofit organizations cannot apply directly under this notice; however, grantees are allowed to pass SHOP funds through to local nonprofit affiliates to carry out the work on the ground, as long as those affiliates operate within the grantee's service area.

SHOP funds have specific, limited allowable uses. Grant dollars may be used for land acquisition and for infrastructure improvements needed to support the housing (for example, water, sewer, roads, and other site-related improvements). Funds may also cover reasonable and necessary planning, administration, and management expenses, but those soft costs are capped at 20 percent of the grant. Importantly, the program does not allow SHOP money to pay for the construction or rehabilitation costs of the housing units themselves. Those costs must be covered through leveraged financing from other public and private sources, meaning applicants must assemble a broader capital stack and show they can bring other funding to the table.

To keep the program cost-effective and focused on site readiness rather than full project financing, SHOP imposes a per-unit cost control: the average SHOP expenditure for the combined cost of land acquisition plus infrastructure improvements cannot exceed $15,000 per unit. This is an average across the assisted units, giving grantees some flexibility across different project sites while still maintaining an overall affordability discipline. The homes produced must be decent, safe, and sanitary non-luxury dwellings, and they must meet applicable state and local codes, ordinances, and zoning requirements. In addition, units must comply with SHOP-specific requirements, including energy efficiency and water conservation standards.

A defining feature of SHOP is the sweat equity requirement. Eligible low-income homebuyers are expected to contribute a significant amount of labor toward building their homes, and volunteer labor is also required as part of the self-help model. This approach is meant to reduce overall costs, build homeowner skills and investment in the property, and strengthen community ties. SHOP also includes a homeowner protection related to that sweat equity: the value of a homebuyer's sweat equity contribution cannot be mortgaged or otherwise restricted when the home is later sold, ensuring that the sweat equity is not turned into a lien-like obligation that would burden the homeowner in the future.

Affordability at the point of sale is another central program condition. Homes assisted with SHOP must be sold to homebuyers at prices below the prevailing market price. Taken together with sweat equity and leveraged financing, this requirement is intended to make homeownership attainable for households that otherwise would not be able to buy in their local markets, while still ensuring the homes are code-compliant and sustainable to maintain.

For the specific notice referenced (Funding Opportunity Number FR-5700-N-11; CFDA 14.247), HUD listed estimated FY2013 total funding of $12,793,869. The posting history reflects that funding availability was initially contingent on Congressional appropriations for FY2013, with the agency indicating it would issue technical corrections once final appropriations were enacted. The final updated closing date shown for applications was July 15, 2013. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement specified for this opportunity, though the required leveraging for construction and rehabilitation effectively means applicants must secure substantial non-SHOP resources to complete units.

Administrative details included HUD as the issuing agency (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and program contact information for the SHOP Program Manager, Ms. Ginger Macomber, at (202) 402-4605 for questions about specific program requirements. The application materials were directed to be accessed via the application and instructions page using the CFDA number.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Housing

Next opportunity: Culturally Appropriate Interventions of Outreach, Access and Retention among Latino/a Populations Demonstration Sites

Previous opportunity: Culturally Appropriate Interventions of Outreach, Access and Retention among Latino/a Populations Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for FR 5700 N 11

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FR 5700 N 11) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FR 5700 N 11", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.