Open Doors Homeownership Grant

"The CAHEC Homeownership Grant was instrumental in the successful marketing of our Three Seeds neighborhood. . . . The grant gave us the money to launch an effective marketing campaign."
---Housing Assistance Corporation, Hendersonville, NC

"A grant with built-in flexibility . . . eases some of the tension that comes when timelines and funding don't come together in a perfect way."
---Interfaith Housing Alliance, Inc., Frederick, MD

"Funding from CAHEC helped us not only provide greater and comprehensive outreach to potential applicants; the grant helped us realize the importance of our Family Services program."
---Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Asheville, NC

"Thank you for the work of your organization and for seeing a need that isn't being met by other funding sources. . . . The CAHEC Open Doors Homeownership Grant literally opened the door for many homebuyers to realize their dream of homeownership."
---Athens Land Trust, Athens, GA

CAHEC created the Open Doors Homeownership Grant specifically for nonprofit organizations engaged in developing affordable housing for sale to low-income households living in areas that CAHEC serves (see below). Up to four grants of $10,000 each are available.

The Open Doors Homeownership Grant is not intended to provide gap financing for the construction of affordable housing. Rather, because nonprofit developers often incur expenses not listed in a development budget, CAHEC designed the Open Doors Homeownership Grant to supplement the costs associated with developing housing for sale to low-income households. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, training, travel, marketing, and consultants.

Applications are scored in a competitive review process, and awards are distributed throughout CAHEC's footprint based on the quality of the proposals. Funding is in no way guaranteed.

"CAHEC made the process very, very easy. We know that you truly understand what it is like for small nonprofits, and we are grateful for the support."
---Housing Initiative Partnership, Hyattsville, MD

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must be:

• A nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and organized and operated for charitable purposes. (CAHEC may give consideration to tax-exempt organizations other than 501(c)(3) organizations; these applicants should contact Chris Stigall before applying.)


• Located within and primarily serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or West Virginia


• In need of a $10,00 grant to assist in the development of housing for sale to low-income residents. Eligible expenditures include all "soft costs" related to the development of housing for sale to low-income residents such as travel, consultants, and training.


• Homes developed using the 2011 CAHEC Grant should be ready for sale by the end of 2013.

An existing relationship with CAHEC is NOT a requirement for funding.

Organizations receiving a CAHEC Open Doors Homeownership Grant will be asked to sign a Grant Agreement. Grantees agree to submit a final report in which they describe how the funds were used. Once CAHEC receives the final report, grant recipients are eligible to apply for future grants.

Funding Criteria

The housing plans must meet the following minimum criteria:

• The project includes a minimum of five (5) new or substantially rehabilitated homes. The homes may be scattered-site stand-alone single-family houses, condominiums, or townhomes. Substantial rehabilitation is defined as hard costs equal to or in excess of $20,000 per home.


• Purchase of the homes is restricted to households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, adjusted for family size.


• Residents of the local and low-income community in which the housing is being built are participating in the planning process.


• Homeownership training is in place for purchasers before and after the purchase of the home.

Click here for a sample application.
The 2011 deadline was July 20.

"Application is short and to the point, and reporting requirements are very reasonable."
---Durham Community Land Trustees, Durham, NC