<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 05.03.07.04" title_num="05" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="07" heading="Application and Approval Process for Local Jurisdictions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Application Process.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may set periodic deadlines for applications from local jurisdictions.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The local jurisdiction shall submit an application to the Department in the form and containing the information and documentation required by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Awarding Program Grants to Local Jurisdictions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Assistant Secretary for Neighborhood Revitalization and the Assistant Secretary who is the Director of the Community Development Administration shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Review all applications from local jurisdictions; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Recommend to the Housing Finance Review Committee established under Housing and Community Development Article, §4-208, Annotated Code of Maryland, for review and recommendation to the Secretary, the amount of all Program grants to local jurisdictions based on the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Capacity of the local jurisdiction to operate a LNYW project, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Financial commitment of the local jurisdiction and the employers.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Secretary shall by written determination approve, disapprove, or modify the terms of all Program grants after receipt of the recommendation of the Housing Finance Review Committee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the Secretary approves a Program grant, the written determination from the Secretary shall also:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Approve the LNYW project as a community development project as defined in Housing and Community Development Article, §4-217, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Approve the LNYW boundary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Department may set deadlines and conditions for using the Program grant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Each local jurisdiction approved for a Program grant under §B of this regulation shall enter into a grant agreement with the Department which provides:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>That the local jurisdiction shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provide a minimum of $1,000 for each LNYW grant and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that funds have been committed for that purpose,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Ensure that at least 51 percent of the eligible employees who receive LNYW grants from the local jurisdiction's LNYW project are families of limited income,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Agree to cooperate with the Department in conducting evaluations and analyses of the Program, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Develop a marketing plan to promote the Program that is satisfactory to the Department; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Other terms and conditions required by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Conditions on LNYW Grants.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The contribution from the local jurisdiction may be in the form of a grant or a conditional grant.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A conditional grant is subject to the following minimum terms and conditions:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Repayment of the grant may be required upon any terms and conditions approved by the Department;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>No interest is due on the unpaid portion of the grant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The term of the grant may not exceed 3 years; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A pro rata portion of the grant shall be released in each year of the term, so that at the end of the term the grantee is not required to repay the grant if all terms and conditions are met.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The local jurisdiction may impose additional eligibility requirements for LNYW grants, including a minimum period of residency in the home purchased or homeownership counseling, if the additional restrictions:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Do not violate any applicable law;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have been approved by the Department; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Are imposed on all LNYW grants from the local jurisdiction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The local jurisdiction may not impose income limits that are higher than the requirements under this chapter for families of limited income.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Authorizing Another Entity.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A local jurisdiction may authorize another entity to operate the LNYW project in that jurisdiction if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Entity is a nonprofit organization, local development corporation, or local development agency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Local jurisdiction authorizes the entity to operate the Program in a resolution of its local governing body;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Entity is approved by the Department to operate the LNYW project; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Local jurisdiction and the entity enter into a written agreement, which is approved by the Department, for the operation of the LNYW project.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a local jurisdiction authorizes another entity to operate the LNYW project in that jurisdiction, the entity shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Execute the grant agreement with the Department or, if the local jurisdiction has already executed a grant agreement with the Department, execute an amendment to the grant agreement agreeing to assume the local jurisdiction's rights and responsibilities under the grant agreement; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Take all actions described in this chapter for the local jurisdiction except for actions to designate an LNYW boundary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a local jurisdiction authorizes another entity to operate the LNYW project in that jurisdiction, either the local jurisdiction or the entity may provide the matching funds required of the local jurisdiction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>