Housing & Energy

About Housing & Energy

Our Housing Programs are designed to create an improve housing opportunities for all people at all stages of life. Whether you are a first time home buyer, in the process of a home rehabilitation or repair project, or working on lead paint removal, we are here to help.

Home Investment Program

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or home-ownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In many cases, these loans take the form of zero interest deferred loans for home repair projects, with a focus of improving living conditions for low and moderate income homeowners in Lowell. This program also provides technical assistance to eligible homeowners who ordinarily would not be able to make needed repairs to their homes.

The City of Lowell must also ensure that HOME-funded housing units remain affordable in the long term (20 years for new construction of rental housing; 5-15 years for construction of home-ownership housing and housing rehabilitation, depending on the amount of HOME subsidy). Lowell has two years to commit funds (including reserving funds for CHDOs [Community Housing Development Organization]) and five years to spend funds.

The City of Lowell must match every dollar of HOME funds used (except for administrative costs) with 25 cents from non-federal sources, which may include donated materials or labor, the value of donated property, proceeds from bond financing, and other resources.

HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Investment Partnership Program

Notice of Funding Availability*

The City of Lowell, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is soliciting proposals for the use of HOME-ARP funds. The HOME-ARP program provides grants or loans for activities that construct, acquire and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent for occupancy by households of individuals and families that meet the definition of the HOME-ARP qualifying populations.

HOME-ARP is a one-time, time-limited funding source that must be fully drawn by September 30, 2030. Due to time-constraints of the funding, the City of Lowell highly encourages developers with projects near closing to apply.

Projects receiving funds must ensure that HOME-ARP funded housing units remain affordable for a specific length of time (a minimum of 15 years for all HOME-ARP assisted rental housing projects irrespective of whether the units are acquired, rehabilitated and/or newly constructed).

Funds will be awarded to eligible projects that demonstrate a readiness to proceed, meet the strict minimum requirements as described in this notice, and score well on the evaluation criteria.