For Immediate Release, August 29, 2005
For More Information: Dar Baum, 773-3181
Notice of Public Comment and Meeting: Housing and Community Development Plan
The public is invited to comment on the proposed 2006 Update to the Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan, the 2006-2007 HOME Investment Partnership Program Allocation Plan, and the 2006-2007 Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Program Qualified Allocation Plan. Comments are being accepted through 5 p.m. CDT on September 30, 2005. A public meeting to accept comments on the Plans will be held at 1:00 p.m. CDT on September 19, 2005, in the Board Room of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, 221 South Central Avenue , Pierre , SD.
The 2006 Update to the Consolidated Plan details how housing and community development resources will be allocated during the period from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006. Specifically the Plan summarizes policies for administration of allocation plans for the HOME Program ($3.8 million), the CDBG Program ($7.3 million), the Emergency Shelter Grants Program ($340,000), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program.
Eligible activities under the HOME Plan include rehabilitation and new construction of affordable housing, homebuyer assistance, and lease-purchase housing. Changes to the existing plan include increasing the Homeowner Rehabilitation set-aside, reducing the Governor's House Pilot Program set-aside, and creating a Security Deposit set-aside for homeless and at-risk populations. In addition, per unit cost limits are proposed to be increased.
The Internal Revenue Service requires that each state formulate a Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) to reflect program changes, administration and allocation priorities. Proposed changes to the QAP include increasing the cost limits and the required replacement reserves and rehabilitation costs per unit, clarifying SDHDA's ability to lower the Applicable Rate when issuing 8609s, clarifying language related to the forward commitment of tax credits, revision of selection criteria and increasing Tax Credit fees that have not been changed since 1997.
The application deadline for both the HOME Plan and HTC QAP is the last working day of February for each year. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CDT. If funds remain following the application cycle, SDHDA will announce that applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Copies of the Plans may be obtained, without charge, from the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) at PO Box 1237 , South Dakota 57501-1237 , by calling (605) 773-3181 or (TTY) (605) 773-6107, or by visiting our home page at www.sdhda.org . Please specify which plan(s) you wish to receive.
Persons interested in presenting comments may do so by attending the public meeting on September 19, 2005, as listed above, or by sending the comments to SDHDA at PO Box 1237 , Pierre , SD 57501-1237 , faxing to (605) 773-5154, or E-mailing to vona@sdhda.or g . All comments must be received in SDHDA's office by 5 p.m. CDT on September 30, 2005.
Notice is further given that the September 19 meeting is being held in a physically accessible location. Please notify the above-mentioned office within 48 hours of the public hearing if you have special needs for which SDHDA will need to make arrangements. Alternative formats of the plans are available to persons with disabilities.
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority and the Governor's Office of Economic Development do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. SDHDA is a proud partner of the State's 2010 Initiative to “Brand and Develop South Dakota's Quality of Life as the Best in America .” For more information, visit www.sdhda.org or www.2010initiative.com .
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority… Building a Better Quality of Life .
