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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 05.12.01.09" title_num="05" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="01" heading="Allocation of Funds — Community Housing Development Organizations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Eligible Organizations. Community housing development organizations are eligible if they meet the criteria set forth in 24 CFR §92.2.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>CHDO Set Asides.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Fifteen percent of the total allocation to the HOME Investment Trust Fund shall be reserved for and used by CHDOs in accordance with 24 CFR §92.300. Up to 10 percent of the funds reserved for CHDOs may be reserved for loans made under §§C and D of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To the extent not reserved for loans under §§C and D of this regulation, the reserved CHDO funds shall be allocated to the DHCD housing programs. If set asides are committed at a rate slower than the rate necessary to use the set aside within the required time period, the Administration may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Initiate aggressive marketing for set-aside eligible projects;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Give priority to set-aside eligible projects;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provide expedited pipeline processing for set-aside eligible projects; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Restrict remaining funds for use only to meet the set-aside requirements.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Eligible Uses — Technical Assistance and Site Control.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Loans under this section shall be processed and made by the Division of Development Finance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A CHDO may apply to use HOME funds for technical assistance and site control loans in the early stages of site development for an eligible project.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Loans under this section may be used to pay:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Project expenses necessary to determine project feasibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Consulting fees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Costs of preliminary financial applications;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Legal, architectural, and engineering fees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Engagement of a development team;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Option to acquire property; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Site control and title clearance.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Loans under this section may not be used to pay for the general operational expenses of a CHDO.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Loans under this section shall be repaid from construction loan proceeds or other project income, unless the Department finds that there are impediments to project development that are reasonably beyond the control of the CHDO, in which case the Department may waive repayment, in whole or in part.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Eligible Uses — Seed Money Loans.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Loans under this section shall be processed and made by the Division of Development Finance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A CHDO may apply to use HOME funds to provide CHDOs with funds to pay reasonable and customary preconstruction costs of a project, including, but not limited to, the costs of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obtaining firm construction loan commitments;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Architectural plans and specifications;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Zoning approvals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Engineering studies; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Legal fees.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In order to qualify for a loan under of this section, a CHDO is required to have:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Control of the site evidenced by a deed, a sales contract, or an option contract to acquire the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Obtained a preliminary financial commitment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Formed a capable development team.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Loans under this section shall be repaid from construction loan proceeds or other project income, unless the Department finds that there are impediments to project development that are reasonably beyond the control of the CHDO, in which case the Department may waive repayment, in whole or in part.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Special Terms and Conditions — Tenant Rights and Obligations. A CHDO which receives HOME assistance shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Adhere to a fair lease and grievance procedure approved by the Department; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Develop and follow a plan of tenant participation in CHDO management decisions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>