§ 950.967 - Eligible TOP activities.

Activities to be funded and carried out by an eligible RO or resident management corporation, as defined in subpart B of this part, shall improve the living conditions and Indian housing operations and may include any combination of, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Resident Capacity Building. (1) Training Board members in community organizing, Board development, and leadership training;

(2) Determining the feasibility of resident management enablement for a specific project or projects; and

(3) Assisting in the actual creation of a RMC, such as consulting and legal assistance to incorporate, preparing by-laws and drafting a corporate charter.

(b) Resident Management. (1) Training residents, as potential employees of a RMC, in skills directly related to the operation, management, maintenance and financial systems of a project;

(2) Training of residents with respect to fair housing requirements; and

(3) Gaining assistance in negotiating management contracts, and designing a long-range planning system.

(c) Resident Management Business Development. (1) Training related to resident-owned business development and technical assistance for job training and placement in RMC developments;

(2) Technical assistance and training in resident managed business development through:

(i) Feasibility and market studies;

(ii) Development of business plans;

(iii) Outreach activities; and

(iv) Innovative financing methods including revolving loan funds.

(3) Legal advice in establishing a resident managed business entity.

(d) Social Support Needs (such as self-sufficiency and youth initiatives). (1) Feasibility studies to determine training and social services needs;

(2) Training in management-related trade skills, computer skills, etc;

(3) Management-related employment training and counseling;

(4) Coordination of support services;

(5) Training for programs such as child care, early childhood development, parent involvement, volunteer services, parenting skills, before and after school programs;

(6) Training programs on health, nutrition, and safety;

(7) Training in the development of strategies to successfully implement a youth program. For example, assessing the needs and problems of the youth, improving youth initiatives that are currently active, and training youth, housing authority staff, resident management corporations, and resident organizations on youth initiatives and program activities; and

(8) Workshops for youth services, child abuse and neglect prevention, tutorial services, in partnership with community-based organizations such as local Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCA, Boy/Girl Scouts, Campfire, and Big Brother/Big Sisters. Other HUD programs such as the Youth Sports Program and the Public Housing Drug Elimination Programs also provide funding in these areas.

(e) Homeownership Opportunity. Determining feasibility for homeownership by residents, including assessing the feasibility of other housing (including HUD owned or held single or multi-family) affordable for purchase by residents.

(f) General. (1) Required training on HUD regulations and policies governing the operation of low-income public and Indian housing including contracting/procurement regulations, financial management, capacity building to develop the necessary skills to assume management responsibilities at the development and property management;

(2) Purchasing hardware, i.e., computers and software, office furnishings and supplies, in connection with business development. Every effort shall be made to acquire donated or discounted hardware;

(3) Training in accessing other funding sources; and

(4) Hiring trainers or other experts. RO/RMCs shall ensure that this training is provided by a qualified housing management specialist, a community organizer, the IHA, or other sources knowledgeable about the program.