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This page contains a sampling of tools and templates
developed by ICF International for housing and community
development practitioners. We hope that you find these
resources helpful. Check back for additional resources
in upcoming months.
If you have questions or ideas for
additional resources, e-mail us at hcd@icfi.com.
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Note: By their nature, these tools are designed
to present complex information in a more simplified
manner. Any tools used in your programs and projects
should first be reviewed by knowledgeable program and/or
legal staff in your jurisdiction to ensure consistency
with local requirements and your program design. You
may also wish to contact ICF International for assistance (on a contract basis)
in the design and implementation of your community development
activities.
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Please choose from selected topics
below.
Tools for the NSP
NSP: Stabilizing and Revitalizing Neighborhoods
ICF analyzed the $3.92 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) created under Title III of Division B of the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) and developed this side-by-side comparison of NSP requirements. The document highlights several key program design or implementation questions that grantees will need to consider. NSP grantees are required to submit Action Plans by December 1, 2008, and will need to quickly develop innovative solutions to the foreclosure crisis in their communities, evaluate potential roles for a variety of partners and stakeholders, and complete the Action Plan submission.
Tools for the HOME Program
Incorporating Energy Efficiency into Affordable Housing Projects
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continues to prioritize development and rehabilitation projects that incorporate energy efficiency measures. This guide was developed by ICF for PJs to encourage efficiency in projects funded through the HOME Program. The guide contains general information about energy efficiency measures as well as programs local governments can use to encourage developers to incorporate these measures in the development process. It also offers specific information about energy savings and cost savings associated with efficiency measures in specific climate zones, including: CA Central Valley Climate Zone; CA Bay Area Climate Zone; Mountainous Climate Zone; and Desert Climate Zone.
HOME Program Property Value Limit Worksheet (revised)
HOME Program regulations state that participating jurisdictions (PJs) must document the after-rehabilitation value of affordable housing to show such housing is within the 203(b) program limits. This simple worksheet is designed to guide PJ staff through this property valuation process. Various valuation methods are discussed including consideration of pre- and post-rehabilitation estimates.
Homebuyer Program Guidelines Checklist
This simple checklist helps HOME participating jurisdictions (PJ) ensure that homebuyer programs address important HOME Program requirements and institute effective practices when launching a new homebuyer program or evaluating an existing program. The checklist covers acquisition only programs, as well as acquisition, rehabilitation, and resale programs.
IDIS Tips and Tricks
The Integrated Disbursement and Information
System (IDIS) can be challenging to navigate, even for experienced
users. Our IDIS Tips and Tricks Toolbox provides some help.
ICF experts pulled together a number of quick tricks and
fixes that will make your IDIS experience simpler and more
efficient. The Toolbox provides tips and tricks regarding
navigation of IDIS screens, keyboard strokes to avoid, optimal
times to use the system, "tweaking" and "resynchronizing" for
smooth movement between screens, proper login and logout
methods, updates and completion of activities on a timely
basis, the copying and pasting of multiple lines into IDIS,
efficient printing, and the use of HOME Setup and Completion
Forms.
Inclusionary Housing Toolbox
This guidebook assists state, county, and local government
housing agencies in understanding how an Inclusionary Housing
Ordinance works, and the steps that must be undertaken to
enact these ordinances.
Required
Provisions in HOME Written Agreements
This matrix summarizes the HOME-related provisions that are
required in written agreements with the following entities:
subrecipients, owners, sponsors, developers, contractors,
homebuyers, homeowners, tenants, and state recipients.
Development
Budget for the HOME Program: Projected Uses and Sources
This sample development budget format provides assistance
in the financial planning of real estate development projects.
It includes various acquisition costs, site work, construction,
and soft costs, as well as multiple interim and permanent
financing sources.
HOME
Administrative & Financial Program Overview Checklists
This set of checklists provides detailed guidance for monitoring
the administrative and financial requirements associated with
operating a HOME program and undertaking HOME-funded projects.
HOME
Front's Income & Allowances Calculator
This online tool simplifies the income qualification and allowance
calculation processes for HUD grantees. Both new and experienced
practitioners will discover that this tool, developed by ICF International, makes applicant income and allowance determinations
as easy as 1-2-3. Simply access
the calculator on HUD's Web site, enter the required data,
and print out the results to include as part of the applicant's
file.
Division
of Responsibilities Chart for Asset Management
This chart outlines the operational tasks involved in the
management of rental property and suggests which responsibilities
are appropriate for the PJ's asset manager, the owner's asset
manager, and/or the property manager.
CHDO
Application Review Packet
The CDHO Application Packet includes a sample checklist for
ensuring that applications received contain the necessary
information. It also includes a sample rating criteria for
the evaluation and scoring of applications, and a sample checklist
for reviewing housing development proposals from nonprofits.
Management
Assessment Model
This matrix provides an analytical framework to assist HOME
program managers in assessing performance in key management
areas through numeric ratings and descriptive narrative.
Tools for CDBG
CDBG and Brownfields: An Overview
Newly finalized Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) regulations related to program
eligibility and national objectives affect the use of CDBG
funds to address brownfields. This quarter's featured resource
clarifies the impact of the regulations and provides an overview
of how CDBG can be used to improve these properties. The
Brownfield Revitalization Act of 2002 defines brownfields
as "real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the
presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance or
pollutant." CDBG
recipients have used their block grant funds for brownfield
activities.
CDBG
National Objectives Chart
The National Objectives chart illustrates the organization
and hierarchy of the CDBG program's national objectives: benefit
to low- and moderate-income persons, the prevention and elimination
of slums and blight, and urgent need.
CDBG Performance Profiles
This new feature of HUD's CDBG
Web page provides key information on grantee performance,
including available
program funds, expenditures by program category, timeliness
ratios for entitlement communitieis, and much more.
Lead-Based Paint Resources
Lead
Safe Housing Requirements Screening Worksheet: Parts 1 and
2
Part 1 of the Lead Safe Housing Requirements Screening Worksheet
helps staff determine whether the project is exempt from all
requirements, while Part 2 addresses limited exemptions that
may be available from specific hazard reduction requirements.
These worksheets should be completed for any residential property
that is assisted with Federal funds, and included in the project
file.
Lead
Safe Housing Requirements Screening Worksheet: Parts 3 and
4
These worksheets should be included in project files for rehabilitation
projects assisted with federal funds. They help staff calculate
and document the appropriate per-unit level of rehabilitation
assistance and the subsequent approach required in the project.
Guidance for Financial Management
Financial
Management: Allowable and Unallowable Costs Under OMB A-87
and A-122 This table summarizes more than 60 specific
cost items and whether or not they are allowable under OMB
A-87 (for government entities) and A-122 (for subrecipients).
Guideform
Notice: Disclosures to Seller with Voluntary, Arm's Length
Purchase Offer
This required form documents for the project file that the
seller of a property is participating in a voluntary transaction
involving federal funds, that the required disclosures were
made to the seller, and that the seller understands that they
are not eligible for relocation payments or assistance.
HOME
Administrative & Financial Program Overview Checklists
This set of checklists provides detailed guidance for monitoring
the administrative and financial requirements associated with
operating a HOME program and undertaking HOME-funded projects.
HOME
Front's Income & Allowances Calculator
This online tool simplifies the income qualification and allowance
calculation processes for HUD grantees. Both new and experienced
practitioners will discover that this tool, developed by ICF International, makes applicant income and allowance determinations
as easy as 1-2-3. Simply access
the calculator on HUD's Web site, enter the required data,
and print out the results to include as part of the applicant's
file.
Division
of Responsibilities Chart for Asset Management
This chart outlines the operational tasks involved in the
management of rental property and suggests which responsibilities
are appropriate for the PJ's asset manager, the owner's asset
manager, and/or the property manager.
Construction Management Forms
Notice
to Proceed Form for Construction Management
This sample form can be used by program/project staff and
authorizes the construction contractor to begin activities
associated with the signed construction contract.
Required
Provisions in HOME Written Agreements
This matrix summarizes the HOME-related provisions that are
required in written agreements with the following entities:
subrecipients, owners, sponsors, developers, contractors,
homebuyers, homeowners, tenants, and state recipients.
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