In a November 4 press release, HUD announced it will propose a new set of regulations for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. HUD describes the HOME program as “a success story for housing low-income Americans” that has created over one million homes since 1992. HUD has been working on a revised rule for the HOME program for several years. 

HUD’s press release follows a hearing of the House Committee on Financial Services in which committee members questioned witnesses about the ability for grantees to defraud the government of HOME funds (see Memo, 11/4).

In the press release, HUD describes how the rule would improve “oversight of projects,” “more closely monitor” funded sub-grantees, increase reporting frequency to allow for closer tracking of projects, and increase the performance standards for participating jurisdictions. Many of these improvements were highlighted at the hearing as ways for HUD to improve oversight in the HOME program. 

HUD also indicated that it is improving the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS), the data collection and reporting system it uses to track and monitor expenditures of projects. The IDIS system was brought up by witnesses in the House hearing as an administrative function of the program that needs improvement.

The Washington Post ran an article criticizing HUD’s oversight of the HOME program on November 7 after HUD had announced the proposed rule. This follows an earlier series of negative articles on HOME that prompted Congressional hearings. 

View HUD’s press release at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2011/HUDNo.11-262