Affirmative Marketing Requirements
All applicants for HOME Program funding from the Nassau County Office of Community Development for developments with five or more units must develop and comply with an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP). The purpose of the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP) is to help applicants offer equal housing opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. OCD further prohibits the use of geographical preferences in the marketing of units included in a development receiving HOME funding. The AFHMP helps owners/agents (respondents) effectively market the availability of housing opportunities to individuals of both minority and non-minority groups that are least likely to apply for occupancy. Affirmative fair housing marketing and planning should be part of all new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and existing project marketing and advertising activities.
The AFHMP must be utilized for initial sale or lease-up of all HOME-assisted units and to fill vacancies that occur during the applicable HOME Affordability Period.
Applicants may develop their own Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, subject to the approval of NC OCD. HUD also makes available AFHMP templates that may be used to create an individual AFHMP. The templates are different for Single-Family and Multi-Family developments. Nassau County HOME applicants are encouraged to utilize these templates in crafting their own plans.