On August 13, HUD announced the availability of $100 million in funding for the second round of its Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program. This program provides grants to communities that have demonstrated significant progress in addressing local housing barriers such as outdated regulations, inadequate infrastructure, limited financing, and risks from extreme weather and aging housing stock.
Round Two of PRO Housing:
- Funding Details: Grants range from $1 million to $7 million.
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2024.
HUD’s PRO Housing program aims to support initiatives that will update state and local housing plans, revise land use policies, streamline permitting processes, and take other actions to foster more housing-forward communities. The funds can be used to preserve existing affordable housing, provide development subsidies for new affordable units, and increase access to homeownership.
Fort Worth was awarded $5 million in July. Fort Worth was one of the 21 grantees, according to HUD, who collectively received around $85 million during the first round. The department received more than 175 applications across 47 states and territories.
The City plans to use this funding to:
- Develop a Neighborhood Pattern Book of Pre-Approved Designs
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- The City will develop a housing pattern book of pre-approved architecturally and engineering stamped plans for infill housing in Fort Worth neighborhoods, including single family homes, duplexes, small multifamily properties (2-12 units), and Accessory Dwelling Units.
- The goal of the pattern book is to significantly reduce the cost of architectural services and building permitting for affordable housing developers.
- Establish a Unified Development Ordinance
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- The City currently has several separate ordinances — which has resulted in difficulty navigating land use and subdivision regulations. Through PRO Housing funding, the City intends to develop a Unified Development Ordinance.
- A Unified Development Ordinance would ensure coordination of City land use regulations, and the implementation of land use policies that incentivize housing affordability.
- Create a Capital Pool and a Land Bank
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- Leveraging state and federal resources, the City plans to create a capital pool for affordable multifamily housing in High Opportunity Index areas. High Opportunity Index areas are historically challenging areas to develop affordable housing due to cost of land, land use policy, and neighborhood tension.
- To encourage redevelopment for affordable housing, Fort Worth plans to create a formal land bank, develop a land banking ordinance, and establish policies to ensure ongoing affordability.