Arizona Department of Housing information bulletin

              Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Rental Housing
Homeownership
Special Needs
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
State Housing Fund (HOME & State Housing Trust Fund)
HOPWA
Supportive Housing Programs
Shelter Plus Care
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 1-04
Issued: January 5, 2004
RE: 2004-2005 Consolidated Plan Update
2004-2005 CDBG Method of Distribution
New Environmental Review Regulations
New Forms
Revises Single Audit Limits
This electronic Information Bulletin No. 1 is the first of its kind designed to provide important
information to communities, contractors, recipients, etc., receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund, LIHTC,
HOPWA, SHP, SPC etc. Please email us at mailto:programs@housingaz.com and let us know if you wish
to be placed on or removed from the emailing list. Removal of an address from this email list does not
necessarily remove the address from other mailing lists maintained by ADOH.
2004-2005 Consolidated Plan Update
The 2000-2004 State of Arizona Five-Year Consolidated Plan describes the housing, economic, social
and human development needs of low and moderate-income persons in Arizona and prescribes a
strategy to address them. It can be reviewed on the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH)
website www.housingaz.com. Each year ADOH must submit an update of the Consolidated
Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). ADOH is in the
process of formulating the 2004-2005 State of Arizona Consolidated Plan Update (2004 Update). The
2004 Update provides the opportunity to make changes to the 2000-2004 State of Arizona
Consolidated Plan for the purpose of meeting changing circumstances and goals. Written
comments are being accepted for the 2004 Update at andrewr@housingaz.com and public
meeting announcements will be forthcoming.
2004-2005 Method of Distribution
The Consolidated Plan by federal statute must describe the method by which ADOH will
distribute CDBG funds. The four Arizona Councils of Governments are currently in the process
of formulating a draft Method of Distribution (MOD) for the CDBG recipients’ communities in
their respective regions. As in previous years, ADOH may modify each MOD to achieve
compliance with federal statute and the goals outlined in the Consolidated Plan. To avoid
substantial modifications to the MODs, ADOH has scheduled a meeting with the COGs and
communities to discuss the MODs at 10:00 a.m. on January 23, 2004, at the State Capital, 1700 W.
Washington, in the Grand Canyon room which is located directly off of the elevators in the
basement. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at approximately 1:00 pm. More
information about the meeting will be forthcoming.
New Environmental Review Regulations
Environmental review regulations 24 CFR Part 58 have been updated and integrated to reflect the
changes in the final rule that became effective October 29, 2003. This updated and integrated text
eliminates the need for regulation readers to separately look up and compare the old regulation
and the final rule published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2003. ADOH will discuss
these changes during the Environmental Review workshop we will conduct on March 11, 2004.
Details of the workshop will be forthcoming.
The URL for the updated text is:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/energyenviron/environment/lawsandregs/regs/index.cfm
Some of the major changes integrated into the regulation text are:
• Section 58.22(i)(2) clarifies that all project participants are prohibited from undertaking
projects or activities before HUD's (or the State's) approval of the recipient's request for
release of funds if the activity or project would have an adverse environmental impact or
limit the choice of reasonable alternatives. Previously, there was some confusion as to
whether the limitations applied to all the participants in a project. Section 58.22 now
clearly states that the limitations on activities pending environmental clearance apply to
recipients and any participant in the development process, including public or private
nonprofit or for-profit entities and their contractors;
• Section 58.5(i)(2) states HUD's policy that a project site must be free of hazardous
materials that could affect the health or safety of its occupants and specifies the criteria
for an environmental review to comply with this policy. This change conforms to the
same longstanding provisions at 24 CFR 50.3(i). These HUD regulations do not require
an ASTM Phase I Site Assessment, although a Phase I Site Assessment or its equivalent is
a good means of complying with Section 58.5(i)(2). The new standard at Section 58.5(i)(2)
replaces a reference to the obsolete HUD Notice 79-33 on toxic substances and
radioactive materials;
• The list of programs and activities subject to Part 58 has expanded. Section 58.1 lists 26
HUD programs now subject to Part 58. Section 58.1(b) provides the specific statutory
authority allowing these programs to use Part 58 procedures;
• A new provision at Section 58.1(c) clarifies that activities assisted with repayments to a
revolving loan fund initially assisted with HUD funds are subject to the environmental
review requirements only if the HUD funding program regulation continue to treat the
activities as subject to the Federal requirements;
• A new section at 58.4(c) clarifies that under NAHASDA and Section 184 programs,
Indian Tribes have a choice whether or not to assume environmental responsibilities
under Part 58;
• For rehabilitation, a new subsection is added at 58.35(a)(3(i), allowing a categorical
exclusion in the case of a residential building (with one to four units) when the density is
not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed and the footprint of the
building is not increased in a floodplain or wetland;
• For individual actions at Section 58.35(a)(4), the rule clarifies that the categorical
exclusion for an individual action on a one-to-four-family dwelling would apply when
there are no more than four dwelling units on any site, whether in one or multiple
buildings;
• Section 58.35(a)(5) for acquisitions of property that continues in the same use is revised to
clarify that leasing and equity loans are included in this categorical exclusion; and
• Section 58.35(b)(7) has added a new exclusion from NEPA and the Section 58.5 Statutes
for any supplemental assistance to a project that has been previously approved under
Part 58 if the project has been environmentally assessed by the same responsible entity,
unless a reevaluation of the environmental findings is required under Section 58.47(a).
New Forms
ADOH is working to standardize reporting forms so that State Housing Fund, CDBG, State
Housing Trust Fund, Supportive Housing Program, HOPWA and Shelter Plus Care use many of
the same forms. To begin with, ADOH will be introducing a new standard Payment Request
Form and Performance Report Form. The Performance Report Forms require less information on
a monthly basis and defer collecting much of the information until the Close-Out Reports are
due. ADOH Program Specialist will be providing the new forms to sub-recipients in January
2004. A full transition to the new forms is expected by the end of March 2004.
Revised Single Audit Limits
The federal government has revised OMB Circular No. A-133 through which it has raised the
amount of federal award requiring a Single Audit from $300,000 to $500,000. The change takes
effect January 1, 2004. Excerpts of the revised OMB Circular are provided below.
Subpart B--Audits
§___.200 Audit requirements.
(a) Audit required. Non-Federal entities that expend $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after
December 31, 2003) or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific
audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this part. Guidance on
determining Federal awards expended is provided in §___.205.
(b) Single audit. Non-Federal entities that expend $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after
December 31, 2003) or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single audit conducted in
accordance with §___.500 except when they elect to have a program-specific audit conducted in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Program-specific audit election. When an auditee expends Federal awards under only one
Federal program (excluding R&D) and the Federal program's laws, regulations, or grant
agreements do not require a financial statement audit of the auditee, the auditee may elect to
have a program-specific audit conducted in accordance with §___.235. A program-specific audit
may not be elected for R&D unless all of the Federal awards expended were received from the
same Federal agency, or the same Federal agency and the same pass-through entity, and that
Federal agency, or pass-through entity in the case of a sub-recipient, approves in advance a
program-specific audit.
(d) Exemption when Federal awards expended are less than $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years
ending after December 31, 2003). Non-Federal entities that expend less than $300,000 ($500,000 for
fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit
requirements for that year, except as noted in §___.215(a), but records must be available for
review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and General
Accounting Office (GAO).
The entire revised OMB Circular A-133 can be reviewed at the following website:
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a133/a133.html
Contact ADOH by program discipline:
Homeownership: (EFFECTIVE 1/29/04) Kathy LaPorte kathyl@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1021
Community Revitalization (CDBG) Joy Johnson joyj@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1041
Rental Development: Randy Archuleta randya@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1031
Special Needs: Vicki VanDreel vickiv@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1024
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
5/6/2004 Page 1 of 1
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Rental Housing
Homeownership
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
State Housing Fund (HOME & State Housing Trust Fund)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 2
Issued: February 5, 2004
RE: CDBG Method of Distribution Provisions
Method of Distribution Due Dates
Notice of Funds Available CDBG State Special Projects Account
2004/2005 CDBG Allocation by COG Region
2004/2005 HUD Income Limits
This is electronic Information Bulletin No. 2, designed to provide important information to
communities, contractors, recipients, etc. receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund, LIHTC,
HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. If you haven’t already done so, please email us at
programs@housingaz.com and let us know if you wish to be placed on or removed from the
emailing list. Removal of an address from this email list does not necessarily remove the
address from other mailing lists maintained by ADOH.
5/6/2004 Page 2 of 2
CDBG Method of Distribution Provisions
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) held a meeting on January 23, 2004 in the Grand
Canyon Room at the State Capitol to discuss the State CDBG Program Method of Distribution
(MOD) and its relation to the State of Arizona 2004 Consolidated Plan update. The MOD
specifies how each annual allocation of CDBG funds will be distributed throughout the state.
During the meeting the following discussions occurred (see meeting minutes attached): 1)
ADOH solicited input on its current practice of collaborating with the four Council of
Governments (COGs) to formulate each MOD. Currently each COG recommends to ADOH a
MOD for each community within their respective COG region; 2) ADOH solicited input about
how to make the State Special Projects Account more accessible to each community; and 3)
ADOH provided information about new provisions that will be incorporate in each MOD for
the 2004/2005 allocation year to align recent key administrative corrections with each MOD.
CDBG recipient communities wish to continue with the current practice of providing CDBG
Regional Account funds on a non-competitive basis, allowing communities to rotate turns for
CDBG allocations. ADOH agrees that this MOD is an excellent way to ensure precious
community development resources reach rural communities that have limited resources.
ADOH has increased the amount of time CDBG staff spends with each community in
conjunction with the COGs providing technical assistance and developing viable CDBG
applications.
CDBG recipient communities indicated that making the SSP more flexible in terms of eligible
projects and project completion timelines would make the SSP more accessible to all
communities. Further, it was discussed that because the SSP is designed to expedite CDBG
funding to meet community need, the lottery selection process should be replaced with a
selection process based on need and performance. ADOH has incorporated this concept into the
SSP Notice of Funds Available in this bulletin. CDBG communities indicated that each
community should prioritize their applications allowing ADOH to review all first priority
applications prior to reviewing subsequent priority applications. This procedure will allow
each community that submits an application to be considered for funding prior to any
community receiving multiple awards.
Finally, in response to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) timeliness
expenditure directives and discussions with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office regarding
ADOH contract enforcement responsibilities, ADOH is requiring each MOD to contain the
following:
New MOD Definitions:
The terms recapture and de-obligate are sometimes used to mean the same thing. The MODs
require the following clarification of terms.
5/6/2004 Page 3 of 3
De-obligation is the action of removing funds from a contract because of one of the following: 1)
the scope of work is completed utilizing less CDBG funds than anticipated and leaving a
balance of unexpended funds; 2) the original allocation was a loan and the loan was paid; 3) an
activity was changed or cancelled (for reasons other than performance) resulting in excess
funding; and 3) program income is received that is not programmed for use.
Recapture is the action of removing funds from a contract because of the following two types of
circumstance 1) ADOH determines that CDBG funds were not used in compliance with the
contract entered into between ADOH and the recipient or with federal regulations constituting
a Recapture for Non-compliance; and 2) the recipient fails to perform according to the performance
criteria outlined in the contract scope of work, the contract schedule and/or the performance
criteria outlined in the text of the contract entered into between ADOH and the recipient
constituting a Recapture for Non-performance.
New MOD Provisions:
De-obligated funds will be distributed according to the following order of priority:
ADOH may reallocate de-obligated funds to the same community from which it was de-obligated
to an existing or new contract of the same funding year based on the following criteria: 1)
performance of the contract from which the funds were de-obligated; and
2) ability to commit de-obligated funds to another project that can immediately use the funds
provided the new funds can be committed through a new contract or an amended contract
within 60 days.
If ADOH cannot reallocate de-obligated funds according to the above criteria the de-obligated
funds will be redistributed by ADOH to the SSP.
Funds Recaptured for Non-compliance and Recaptured for Non-performance will be redistributed by
ADOH to the SSP.
Method of Distribution Due Dates
The deadline for each Council of Government to submit its MOD is March 12, 2004. Please
provide these to Joy Johnson, CDBG Program Manager (joyj@housingaz.com) by e-mail or
regular mail. The MOD must be reviewed and approved by ADOH prior to incorporation in the
2004/2005 Consolidated Plan Update, a draft of which will must be ready for public review by
April 1, 2004.
5/6/2004 Page 4 of 4
Notice of Funds Available – CDBG State Special Projects Account
ADOH announces the availability of FY 2004 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
State Special Project (SSP) Account funds for a competitive statewide grant application round.
Up to $2,081,379 has been set aside for this application round.
2003 CDBG Application Handbook
Except where specifically superseded by this notice, all State of Arizona CDBG requirements
described in the 2003 CDBG Application Handbook including the application requirements
apply. Terms and conditions within this notice apply only to this notice and are not applicable
to any other funds available from ADOH.
Eligible Activities
All activities pursuant to 24 CFR 570 that are ready to begin implementation immediately with
environmental review requirements completed, Release of Funds issued, land control secured,
planning design and permitting complete, and all other related upfront issues resolved. Please
obtain prior ADOH approval of plans to submit for public service activities allowing ADOH to
ensure the State does not exceed its 15% public service cap.
Application Submission
All communities eligible to receive funding from the State CDBG program are eligible to apply.
Each community is encouraged to submit one application. Multiple applications may be
submitted from one community if the applications are prioritized. All first priority applications
will be reviewed first, with subsequent priority applications reviewed if sufficient funding is
available, thereby allowing each community a chance to be funded.
Threshold Issues and Application Requirements
To qualify for funding under this notice, applicants must submit the following items in addition
to all elements required by the 2003 CDBG Application Handbook. Please see the SSP
Application Threshold Review Sheet attached.
Complete Application
Applications that are not complete and do not contain the following will be rejected.
Environmental Review
• A completed and compliant environmental review record (ERR) to include the Release
of Funds (ROF)
For any renovation projects:
• Completed “built-to” construction plans
• Evidence of site control (own land, no restrictive agreements)
5/6/2004 Page 5 of 5
For owner occupied housing or rental rehabilitation:
• A list of income-certified homeowners/tenants to be assisted
• A letter certifying that work orders and specifications have been completed for all
houses to be rehabilitated
• Pre-approved and adopted housing rehabilitation guidelines
• Evidence of site control
• Agreement between the landlord and the city to rent a certain percentage of units to L/M
income households
For homeownership assistance:
• A list of income-certified homeowners to be assisted
• Documentation demonstrating that a home lot has been selected and that all other
financing has been approved for the specific families to be assisted
• Pre-approved and adopted home ownership assistance guidelines
For equipment purchase:
• Completed specifications
• List of bidders and prices or statement certifying that municipality will use either state
or county vendors selected through a competitive procurement process
Threshold Review Sheet
In addition, please note that each SSP application must include the attached Threshold
Review Sheet, to be submitted as page 2 of the application, i.e., between Form 1 and the
Table of Contents.
Deadline
Applications for this notice will be accepted until June 4, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. Applications will
be considered received if one of the following indicates a date and time no later than the
application due date
• U.S. Post Office Postmark
• Fed Ex, UPS, etc. delivery documents
• Department staff documentation of receipt
• Applications can be delivered or mailed
Applications must be addressed to:
Attn: CDBG Program
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington, Suite 210
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Selection of Project Awards
Projects will be selected for SSP funding by a competitive process through which applications
are evaluated based on the following application evaluation criteria:
5/6/2004 Page 6 of 6
• Primary Criteria: Need, demand and project readiness.
• Secondary Criteria: Leverage and match, past performance of applicant, the extent to
which funds are provided to an area that has limited resources including none to few
past SSP awards.
ADOH will be soliciting input on the SSP application evaluation criteria within three weeks of
this notice. The final instrument used to apply the application evaluation criteria will assign a
numeric score to each application. The highest scoring applications within each priority
category will be awarded prior to awarding projects in subsequent priority categories. Scored
applications will be kept on file for one year and the next highest scoring applications will be
funded if funding becomes available through recapture or de-obligated CDBG funds.
Contract Terms
Contract time frames will not be restricted. Contracts entered into between successful
applicants and ADOH will contain schedules reflective of the reasonable amount of time that
will be required to undertake the proposed activity. In general projects should be complete
within 24 months. The successful applicant must return contract documents with
Mayor’s/Board Chair’s signature within five days of their receipt. All successful applicants will
be notified by e-mail that the contracts have been mailed so that a meeting can be scheduled to
obtain needed signatures. Contracts not returned within the specified time period will be
terminated and funds will be reassigned to the next community.
Maximum Grant Amount
The maximum grant available under this notice is $300,000. Funds unexpended at contract
termination will be returned to the state.
Selection Notification
ADOH anticipates notifying applicants within 45 days of receiving the application as to
whether they will be funded or not. If funded, applicants must be prepared to initiate projects
within 30 days of notification.
Public Participation
ADOH encourages each community to include combine SSP projects with Regional Account
Projects in the public participation and publication process to avoid the need for additional
publications and hearings.
5/6/2004 Page 7 of 7
2004/2005 CDBG Allocation by COG Region
The following are the approximate allocations for the 2004/2005 CDBG Allocation:
CDBG Allocation by COG Region
COG Amount Percentage
NACOG $3,039,300.54 25.76%
WACOG $3,408,557.10 28.89%
CAAG $2,557,569.21 21.67%
SEAGO $2,789,054.90 23.64%
2004/2005 HUD Income Limits
HUD has published new income limits for 2004. Please refer to the following website. Please
also find LIHTC rent and income limits and State Housing Fund Income Limits attached.
http://www.huduser.org/datasets/il/IL04/index.html.
Contact ADOH by program discipline:
Homeownership: Kathy LaPorte kathyl@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1021
Community Revitalization (CDBG): Joy Johnson joyj@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1041
Rental Development: Randy Archuleta randya@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1031
Special Needs: Vicki VanDreel vickiv@housingaz.com, (602) 771-1024
Public Housing: Paula Scott paulas@housingaz.com , (602) 771-1051
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
Rental Housing
Homeownership
Special Needs
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
State Housing Fund (HOME & State Housing Trust Fund)
HOPWA
Supportive Housing Programs
Shelter Plus Care
Homes for Arizonans (formerly known as “RHAP”)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 3
Issued: March 11, 2004
RE: April is Fair Housing Month
New Federal Grants Website
New Rent and Income Limits
Restructured Homes for Arizonans Program (formerly known as “RHAP”)
2004-2005 Consolidated Plan Update
This electronic Information Bulletin No. 3, is designed to provide important information
to communities, contractors, recipients, etc., receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund,
LIHTC, HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. Please email us at programs@housingaz.com and let
us know if you wish to be placed or removed from the email list. Removal of an
address from this email list does not necessarily remove the address from other mailing
lists maintained by ADOH.
Information Bulletin 2004-3 March 11, 2004 Page 2
APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH
April is national “Fair Housing” month. The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) is
providing this important reminder to communities to ensure sufficient recognition of this
important month-long commemoration. At a minimum, communities should adopt local
government proclamations and resolutions, display Fair Housing posters and undertake a
proactive educational endeavor such as publishing information in the local newspapers. While
these actions are mandated by the State CDBG program, ADOH encourages all recipients of
federal and state funds to take leadership roles in promoting the spirit of Title VIII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. This law prohibits discrimination in the
sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18
living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of
children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). ADOH suggests that fair housing can
be affirmatively furthered in ways more appropriate and meaningful to each community such
as essay contests, educational forums, etc.
ADOH must certify to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that it
is affirmatively furthering fair housing. The certification to affirmatively further fair housing
specifically requires ADOH to do the following:
• Conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice within the jurisdiction,
• Take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through
that analysis, and
• Maintain records reflecting the analysis and actions in this regard.
The Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice is a review of State laws, regulations,
administrative policies, procedures, and practices to assess how these affect the location,
availability, and accessibility of housing. It is also a review of conditions, both public and
private, affecting fair housing choice. The AI examines existing and potential barriers to fair
housing in a community, for all classes protected under the Fair Housing Act, such as lending
discrimination, inequities in service delivery, and obstacles to the provision of housing for
people with disabilities. Once the AI is completed, ADOH must take actions to overcome the effect
of any impediments identified. A new AI is currently under development by ADOH and should
be completed by the end of May 2004. You may be contacted in the next few weeks to participate
in the research and development aspects of ADOH’s AI. If you would like to complete one of
ADOH’s AI research questionnaires please send an email to terrij@housingaz.com. More
information can be obtained about Fair Housing at the following HUD website:
http://www.hud.gov/groups/fairhousing.cfm
Information Bulletin 2004-3 March 11, 2004 Page 3
NEW FEDERAL GRANTS WEBSITE
The new federal www.grants.gov web page has a service that may be of interest to grantees. It
allows grantees to receive email notifications of funding opportunities. Users should go to
http://www.grants.gov/ReceiveGrantOpportunityNotification where they will be given four
options for receiving notifications:
1. Selected notices based upon funding opportunity number.
2. Selected agencies and categories of funding activities.
3. All notices from selected interest and eligibility groups.
4. All grants notices.
Once subscribed, the user will receive an email notification every evening of what was placed
on www.Grants.gov/Find that day. All Federal agencies are now placing their announcements
at this site.
NEW RENT AND INCOME LIMITS
The rent and income limits effective March 15, 2004 are available two places on the ADOH web
site at:
• http://www.housingaz.com/library
HOME and State Housing Fund Forms and Handbooks/2004 SHF Rent Chart
and 2004 Median Income Guidelines; and
Rental Housing Development (LIHTC)/2004 SHF Rent Chart and 2004 Median
Income Guidelines
RESTRUCTURED HOMES FOR ARIZONANS PROGRAM
In January, ADOH announced the launch of a newly-designed homebuyer assistance program,
and successor to the Rural Homepurchase Assistance Program (RHAP). Homes for Arizonans,
which provides counseling and financial assistance to first time homebuyers, is being jointly
funded by ADOH and the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and will provide assistance to
homebuyers with incomes up to 115% of the area median income for the county in which the
home is purchased (or higher in a few targeted areas). The subsidy cap of $10,000 previously
imposed under the RHAP program has been increased to $20,000 under the new program.
However, the actual amount of financial assistance provided is dependent upon five factors:
family income, purchase price of the home, actual closing costs, amount of family savings and
assets, and any other gifts or assistance the family may be receiving. Assisted households must
Information Bulletin 2004-3 March 11, 2004 Page 4
contribute at least $1,000 towards the purchase price. Other program restrictions apply. ADOH
has hired Sandra Weis as the Homes for Arizonans Program Specialist, who will devote full-time
efforts to implementing the program. Individuals interested in accessing the program are
instructed to contact the provider for the county in which they wish to purchase a home.
Gila, Pinal Counties
Arizona Department of Housing
(602) 771-1027 sandraw@housingaz.com
Yuma County
Housing America Corporation
(928) 627-4221 rsanchez@hacorp.org
Apache, Navajo Counties
Northern Arizona Council of Government
(928) 289-6020 tnagle@nacog.org
Coconino, Yavapai Counties
Northern Arizona Council of Government
(928) 774-1895 fpayne@nacog.org
Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz
Counties
Southeastern Arizona Governments
Organization
(520) 432-5301 jpacker@seago.org
LaPaz, Mohave Counties
Housing America Corporation
(928) 718-1888 tbishop@hacorp.org
2004/2005 CONSOLIDATED PLAN UPDATE
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) is requesting input on Draft FY 2004/2005 State of
Arizona Consolidated Plan Update (Update). The Update applies to non-metropolitan and
rural areas and describes the state’s strategies and actions related to housing, including Public
Housing and Section 8, special needs (including HIV/AIDS), homeless, community
development, lead based paint, anti-poverty and fair housing. The Update includes an annual
action plan, methods of distribution and geographic funding objectives for FY 2004/2005 federal
HOME, CDBG, HOPWA and ESG federal funds. The State of Arizona previously adopted a
Citizen Participation Plan governing procedures to secure citizen input for the use of HOME,
CDBG, HOPWA and ESG resources from FY 2000 through FY 2004. The Update, has been
prepared pursuant to applicable federal regulations (24 CFR, PART 91).
To begin obtaining public comment on the Update ADOH is holding the following public
hearings. Persons requiring special accommodations due to disabilities may contact the Arizona
Department of Housing at (602) 771-1010 or our TTY number, (602) 771-1001.
􀂃�� Thursday, April 1, 2004, 11:00 a.m. Greenley Room, Tucson Metropolitan Housing
Commission Conference, Tucson Conference Center, 260 S. Church Street, Tucson,
Arizona.
Information Bulletin 2004-3 March 11, 2004 Page 5
􀂃􈌠 Wednesday, April 22, 2004, 4:15 p.m. Sonoran Room, 2004 State Housing Fund
Workshop, Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.
Copies of the Update will be available beginning April 5, 2004 at the ADOH website
www.housingaz.com and in paper copy from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at ADOH office at the State
Capitol.
Contact ADOH by program discipline:
Community Revitalization (CDBG): Joy Johnson joyj@housingza.com (602) 771-1041
Homeownership: Kathy LaPorte kathyl@housingaz.com (602) 771-1021
Rental Development: Randy Archuleta randya@housingaz.com (602) 771-1031
Special Needs: Vicki VanDreel vickiv@housingaz.com (602) 771-1024
Public Housing: Paula Scott paulas@housingaz.com (602) 771-1051
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
Information Bulletin 2004-4 March 23, 2004 Page 1
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
Rental Housing
Homeownership
Special Needs
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
State Housing Fund (HOME & State Housing Trust Fund)
HOPWA
Supportive Housing Programs
Shelter Plus Care
Homes for Arizonans (formerly known as “RHAP”)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 4
Issued: March 23, 2004
RE: Corrected Income Limits
This electronic Information Bulletin No. 4, is designed to provide important information
to communities, contractors, recipients, etc., receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund,
LIHTC, HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. Please email us at programs@housingaz.com and let
us know if you wish to be placed or removed from the email list. Removal of an
address from this email list does not necessarily remove the address from other mailing
lists maintained by ADOH.
Information Bulletin 2004-4 March 23, 2004 Page 2
NEW RENT AND INCOME LIMITS
The ADOH 2004 Median Income Guidelines referred to (by ADOH website address) in the
March 11, 2004 Information Bulletin No. 3 had errors. The errors have been corrected and the
corrected table is on ADOH web site at:
• http://www.housingaz.com/library
HOME and State Housing Fund Forms and Handbooks/ 2004 Median Income
Guidelines; and
Rental Housing Development (LIHTC)/ 2004 Median Income Guidelines
Contact ADOH by program discipline:
Community Revitalization (CDBG): Joy Johnson joyj@housingza.com (602) 771-1041
Homeownership: Kathy LaPorte kathyl@housingaz.com (602) 771-1021
Rental Development: Randy Archuleta randya@housingaz.com (602) 771-1031
Special Needs: Vicki VanDreel vickiv@housingaz.com (602) 771-1024
Public Housing: Paula Scott paulas@housingaz.com (602) 771-1051
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 5
Issued: May 6, 2004
RE: Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (MESC)
This is electronic Information Bulletin No. 5, designed to provide important information to communities,
contractors, recipients, etc. receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund, LIHTC, HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. If
you haven’t already done so, please email us at programs@housingaz.com and let us know if you wish to
be placed on or removed from the emailing list. Removal of an address from this email list does not
necessarily remove the address from other mailing lists maintained by ADOH.
Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (MESC)
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) CDBG program has, in the past, allowed
grantees to use MESC to purchase equipment with the understanding that MESC
followed federal and state procurement statutes and rules. However, an investigation by
the Office of the Auditor General (AG) has determined that MESC does not follow
Arizona’s procurement statues and rules. As a result grantees that use MESC services for
procurement are no longer considered to be compliant. Please make adjustments to
procurement activities accordingly.
The entire AG report may be obtained at www.auditorgen.state.az.us, keywords, Mohave
Educational Services Cooperative.
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 6
Issued: June 7, 2004
RE: Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (MESC) Clarification
CDBG Contract Administration Workshop – June 17, 2004
CDBG COG and Community Meeting – June 16, 2004
This is electronic Information Bulletin No. 6, designed to provide important information
to communities, contractors, recipients, etc. receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund,
LIHTC, HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. If you haven’t already done so, please email us at
programs@housingaz.com and let us know if you wish to be placed on or removed from
the emailing list. Removal of an address from this email list does not necessarily remove
the address from other mailing lists maintained by ADOH.
Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (MESC)
On May 6, 2004 the Arizona Department of Housing sent out Bulletin No. 5 advising
grantees that if they use MESC services for procurement they would not be considered
in compliance with federal procurement requirements. As a point of clarification, no
grantee may assume any purchasing cooperative is compliant. Each grantee must
maintain evidence that its purchases were procured in accordance with federal
procurement standards. Consequently, if a grantee uses a purchasing cooperative or
other third party procurement system, the grantee must obtain and maintain the
following documentation to establish compliance:
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 6
Issued: June 7, 2004
Page 2
1. Method in which the solicitation was provided to wide range of potential
providers allowing open and free competition.
2. Specifications for the products or services to be procured.
3. Criteria for selecting providers.
4. Documentation that the submitted bid or proposal documents contained
sufficient specifications to verify responsiveness.
5. Documentation that the selection criteria set forth in the solicitation was used
and properly applied to select providers.
6. Documentation that the selection process was competitive and that only the
lowest qualified bid or best value proposal was selected.
Further clarification of the contents of the Auditor General’s report is also merited.
Bulletin No. 5 indicated the Office of the Auditor General determined that MESC does
not follow Arizona’s procurement statutes and rules. This determination by the Auditor
General was based on an investigation that occurred between July 1997 and June 2001.
(The entire Auditor General report may be obtained at www.auditorgen.state.az.us
<http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us>, keywords, Mohave Educational Services
Cooperative.) MESC contends that it corrected the deficiencies noted in the report after
that investigation was completed. The report does not address MESC’s current
procurement practices. Accordingly, the Arizona Department of Housing makes no
representation as to whether MESC’s current procurement practices comply with federal
procurement standards.
In conclusion, It is the position of the Arizona Department of Housing that it is the
responsibility of each grantee to investigate and document that any purchasing
cooperative, including MESC, is following federal procurement requirements in each
instance.
CDBG Contract Administration Workshop
A CDBG Contract Administration Workshop will be held on June 17, 2004 at the Capitol
Tower, 1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ in the Grand Canyon Room.
Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9:00 a.m. New CDBG
Administration Handbooks, on CD-Rom, will be handed out to those attending. For
those communities that are not represented, CDs will be mailed to the CDBG Contact
Person. Additional information and a registration form can be downloaded at
www.housingaz.com. The cost is $50 at the door.
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 6
Issued: June 7, 2004
Page 3
CDBG COG and Community Meeting
ADOH will hold a meeting on June 16, 2004 with the COGs and communities to discuss
the upcoming funding year. The meeting will be held in the Grand Canyon Room
(basement) of the Capitol Tower, 1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix. Extensive
participation is necessary because the outcome of the meeting will determine many
administrative aspects of the 2004/2005 CDBG funding year. The agenda for the meeting
is as follows.
Arizona Department of Housing
CDBG Program
Meeting with COGs and Communities
June 16, 2004 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
State Capitol Tower, 1700 West Washington Street
Basement, Grand Canyon Room
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
1. MOD Due Dates, Technical Assistance Visit Schedule, Application Due Dates
2. 1% TA Contract Changes
3. TAAP Fees
4. SSP Structure
5. New SSP Due Dates
6. New CDBG Contracts
7. Changes to Administration Handbook
8. Mohave Educational Services Cooperative
9. Give ADOH Ideas on How to Improve CDBG Administration
10. Adjourn
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
The Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 7
Issued: June 15, 2004
RE: Time Change CDBG COG and Community Meeting – June 16, 2004
One Hour Later
This is electronic Information Bulletin No. 7, designed to provide important information
to communities, contractors, recipients, etc. receiving CDBG, State Housing Fund,
LIHTC, HOPWA, SHP, SPC, etc. If you haven’t already done so, please email us at
programs@housingaz.com and let us know if you wish to be placed on or removed from
the emailing list. Removal of an address from this email list does not necessarily remove
the address from other mailing lists maintained by ADOH.
INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 7
Issued: June 15, 2004
Page 2
CDBG COG and Community Meeting
Due to room scheduling conflicts, ADOH needs to move the start time for the June 16,
2004 COGs and communities meeting from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Please plan to attend
one hour later than previously announced. ADOH apologizes for the inconvenience.
The agenda for the meeting is as follows.
Arizona Department of Housing
CDBG Program
Meeting with COGs and Communities
June 16, 2004 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
State Capitol Tower, 1700 West Washington Street
Basement, Grand Canyon Room
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
1. MOD Due Dates, Technical Assistance Visit Schedule, Application Due Dates
2. 1% TA Contract Changes
3. TAAP Fees
4. SSP Structure
5. New SSP Due Dates
6. New CDBG Contracts
7. Changes to Administration Handbook
8. Mohave Educational Services Cooperative
9. Give ADOH Ideas on How to Improve CDBG Administration
10. Adjourn
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS:
Community Revitalization
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
INFORMATION BULLETIN No 8
Issued: November 30, 2004
RE: ADOH/Grantee/COG Meeting and 2005 Application Handbook
ADOH/Grantee/ COG Annual Meeting
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) will hold a meeting with CDBG Grantee Communities
and the Councils of Government (COGs). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2005
Application Handbook and to receive input on the following items: 1) improving application to the
state by CDBG grantees; 2) maximizing the use of the COGs for CDBG administration; 3) better defined
contractual relationships between the COGs and communities; and 4) ways in which ADOH can
improve administration of the CDBG program. The date has been tentatively set for Thursday, January
27, 2005 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ. Please hold
this date and plan to attend. The room location and final agenda will be provided in a subsequent
bulletin.
2005 Application Handbook
ADOH is in the process of revising the 2003 Application Handbook to remove outdated information,
update application forms, and streamline procedures. None of the changes will affect your current
efforts in public participation and project development; however, the revised forms must be used to
submit 2005 CDBG applications A CD-rom disc containing the 2005 Application Handbook and
application forms will be mailed out to all grantee communities and COGs prior to the January 27,
2005 COG and Community meeting during which all changes to the Handbook will be discussed.
Paper copies will be provided upon request.
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com
Arizona Department of Housing
FY 2004 Information Bulletin
REGARDING PROGRAMS: Revitalization, Homeownership, Special Needs, Rental Housing
REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES: CDBG, HOME, SHP, SPC, HOPWA
INFORMATION BULLETIN No 9
Issued: December 9, 2004
RE: Revised Date ADOH/CDBG Grantee/COG Meeting
Environmental Review Handbooks
Revised Tentative Date for ADOH/CDBG Grantee/ COG Meeting
The revised date for the ADOH/ CDBG Grantee/COG Meeting discussed in Bulletin No. 8 is January 20, 2005.
The meeting will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the State Capitol in the Second Floor Conference
Room. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2005 Application Handbook and to receive input on the
following items: 1) improving application to the state by CDBG grantees; 2) maximizing the use of the COGs
for CDBG administration; 3) better defined contractual relationships between the COGs and communities; and
4) ways in which ADOH can improve administration of the CDBG program. Please hold this date and plan to
attend. The final agenda will be provided in a subsequent bulletin.
ADOH Environmental Review Handbook
In mid-November ADOH sent all grantees a CD ROM containing the Environmental Review Record (ERR)
Handbook and all of the forms needed to conduct an ERR. This Handbook applies to all types of grantees
using CDBG, HOME, Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Shelter Plus Care (SPC) and HOPWA grants. All
ADOH funded projects that have not begun the environmental review process prior to receiving the CD ROM
must use this new format. The Handbook incorporates new environmental review regulations including: 1)
all housing rehabilitation programs must publish a NOI/RROF regardless of floodplain status; 2) a 1 to 4 unit
owner occupied rehabilitation may exceed 75% of the cost of replacement and still be Categorically Excluded;
3) HUD has changed the recommended publication formats all of which are included in the Handbook. In an
effort to provide additional guidance ADOH has included some example forms in the CD. The Handbook and
forms can also be downloaded from the ADOH website, www.housingaz.com. If you would like a CD ROM
mailed to you, please contact your Program Specialist.
Arizona Department of Housing
1700 W. Washington Ave., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone (602) 771-1000 Facsimile (602) 771-1002 TDY (602) 771-1001
www.housingaz.com