Community Representation

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There are three methods to meet the HOME requirement that stipulates 1/3 of the organization's board be representatives of the low-income community served by the CHDO. If a potential board member fits one of the following descriptions, then they count towards fulfilling this requirement:

1. The person lives in a low-income neighborhood where 51% or more of the residents are low-income. This resident does not have to be low-income
or
The person is a low-income resident of the community
or
2. The person was elected by a low-income neighborhood organization to serve on the CHDO board.

The organization must be composed primarily of residents of the low-income neighborhood and its primary purpose must be to serve the interests of the neighborhood residents. Such organizations might include block groups, neighborhood associations, and neighborhood watch groups.

What if a low-income person is a public official? Their role as a public sector representative supercedes their residency or income statues. Therefore, the official would be counted towards the 1/3 public-sector limitation and not towards the 1/3 low-income representation requirement.

In all cases, the CHDO is responsible for certifying that the individual meets at least one of the above criteria.