Strengthening Rural Communities Program

A nationwide leader in working with rural and Native communities around the U.S., MHP’s proven track record of financial and technical expertise provides organizations the ability to build and preserve housing and community assets. Since 2010, MHP has received HUD and USDA grants to provide targeted technical assistance. From innovative planning practices to knowledge of complex federal housing programs, our experienced team helps organizations build capacity and overcome impediments to successfully planning and implementing community development projects.

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See below to apply for technical assistance to create a Local Housing Trust Fund

Eligible organizations are those currently engaged in housing and/or community development in rural areas or actively working to build this capacity, such as Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), local/county governments, Native Nations, and Rural Housing Development Organizations (RHDOs) involved in (or looking to increase) affordable housing activities. Statewide entities are not currently eligible.

Application

There will be a priority review of Request for Technical Assistance applications until October 31, 2023. After that time, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Support with the application process is available by contacting MHP Staff, so please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions you may have.

Program Details

Eligible Projects and Activities

The Strengthening Rural Communities Program provides assistance for rural communities in:

Increasing the capacity for affordable housing development (particularly multi-family) and rehab to address housing needs of the lowest income residents
Increasing the capacity to access program funding (particularly HUD) and layer subsidies and the related need for early-stage project financial assistance
Increasing the capacity to deliver supportive services and develop supportive housing, particularly for growing senior populations
Increasing the capacity for comprehensive, sustainable community and economic development

MHP encourages a regional approach to housing and community development. This can include serving multiple entities by collaborating on a shared need. Successful applications must demonstrate a commitment by local community stakeholders to project implementation.

The following are NOT eligible for assistance:

General operating support
Direct housing services including affordable gap assistance
Direct housing development costs
Organizations with missions outside the housing and community development arena
Lobbying or other direct political activities
Activities for which the applicant already receives technical assistance or operating support funding from MHP

Who Can Apply

Beneficiaries awarded need to be focused on addressing community development issues surrounding affordable housing and/or economic development in rural areas, such as:

Rural housing development organizations (nonprofits currently engaged in housing and/or community development in rural areas or actively working to build this capacity)
Local units of government and political subdivisions
Tribal governments, housing authorities, and chartered entities
CHDOs and CDCs

Assistance Available

MHP provides technical assistance for projects that build capacity to address housing needs, access funding, align affordable housing with economic development and sustainable development, or successfully implement new financing models for supportive/senior housing. Financial assistance may be available in conjunction with an approved award.

Some examples of eligible activities include:

Staff development
Consulting
Obtaining CHDO designation
Securing project funding
Partnership development
Development of projects

Evaluation Criteria

The proposed project must:

Articulate a compelling need. Priority will be given to engagements that include: low-income communities; Native communities; low-income seniors; households experiencing homelessness; and communities of color
Include credible plan to address a compelling need and project readiness
Has identified staff and organizational leadership to undertake the proposed work
Aligns with other organizational work and community efforts
Prioritizes race equity to generate equitable outcomes within their community
Exhibits sound financial capacity
Demonstrates clear and measurable outcomes

Race Equity

MHP’s mission is to expand housing and community development opportunities for those most impacted by economic and racial disparities by leading collaborative work to promote systems change and grow equitable development capacity. Race equity is woven throughout our mission, values and principles. It is clear that one cannot have a conversation about housing without having a conversation about racial inequities. Preference points are given to underserved communities, including:

Majority BIPOC and/or immigrant communities;
Native Nations and Indigenous communities;
Communities experiencing persistent poverty;
Climate justice impacted communities;
Promise zone communities.

“When all people have accessible and affordable homes in diverse and inclusive communities, we all benefit. Our economy benefits. Research shows that housing influences outcomes across many sectors. Students do better in school when they live in stable, affordable homes. People are healthier and can more readily escape poverty and homelessness. Yet, people of color are significantly more likely than white people to face systemic barriers to quality, accessible, and affordable homes. Housing is the pathway to economic mobility and opportunity. Yet for far too many people in this country, the pathway is full of roadblocks.”
Source: A Racial Equity Lens is Critical to Housing Justice Work, National Low Income Housing Coalition