Title 20—Employees' Benefits--Volume 1
PART 672—PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM
§ 672.100   What is YouthBuild?
(a) YouthBuild is a workforce development program that provides employment, education, leadership development, and training opportunities to disadvantaged and low-income youth between the ages of 16 and 24, most of whom are secondary school drop outs and are either a member of a low-income family, a foster care youth, a youth offender, a youth with a disability, a child of an incarcerated parent, or a migrant youth.
(b) Program participants receive education services that may lead to either a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED). Further, they receive occupational skills training and are encouraged to pursue a post- secondary education or additional training, including registered apprenticeship programs. The program is designed to create a skilled workforce either in the construction industry, through the rehabilitation and construction of housing for homeless individuals and families and low- income families, as well as public facilities, or in other high wage, high-demand jobs. The program also benefits the larger community because it provides more new and rehabilitated affordable housing.
§ 672.105   What are the purposes of the YouthBuild program?
(a) The overarching goal of the YouthBuild program is to provide disadvantaged and low-income youth the opportunity to obtain education and employment skills in local in-demand and high-demand jobs to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Additionally, the YouthBuild program has as goals:
(1) To promote leadership skills development and community service activities. YouthBuild programs will foster the development of leadership skills and a commitment to community improvement among youth in low-income communities.
(2) To enable youth to further their education and training. YouthBuild programs will provide counseling and assistance in obtaining post-secondary education and/or employment and training placements that allow youth to further their education and training.
(3) To expand the supply of permanent affordable housing and reduce the rate of homelessness in communities with YouthBuild programs. The program seeks to increase the number of affordable housing units available and to decrease the number of homeless individuals and families in their communities.
(b) Through these educational and occupational opportunities, to enable youth participants to provide a valuable contribution to their communities. The YouthBuild program will add skilled workers to the workforce by educating and training youth who might have otherwise succumbed to the negative influences within their environments.
§ 672.110   What definitions apply to this part?
Alternative school. The term “alternative school” means a school or program that is set up by a State, school district, or other community-based entity to serve young people who are not succeeding in a traditional public school environment. In order for an “alternative school” to qualify as of part of a “sequential service strategy” it must be recognized by the authorizing entity designated by the State, award a high school diploma or both a high school diploma and a GED and, must be affiliated with a YouthBuild program.
Community or other public facility. The term “community or other public facility” means those facilities which are either privately owned by non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations, and publicly used for the benefit of the community, or publicly owned and publicly used for the benefit of the community.
Core construction. The term “core construction” means activities that are directly related to the construction or rehabilitation of residential, community, or other public facilities. These activities include, but are not limited to, job skills that can be found under the Standard Occupational Classification System (SOC) major group 47, Construction and Extraction Occupations, in codes 47-1011 through 47-4099. These activities may also include, but are not limited to, construction skills that may be required by green building and weatherization industries but are not yet standardized. A full list of the SOC's can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web site, http://www.bls.gov/soc.
Eligible entity. The term “eligible entity” means a public or private nonprofit agency or organization (including a consortium of such agencies or organizations), including—
(1) A community-based organization;
(2) A faith-based organization;
(3) An entity carrying out activities under this Title, such as a local school board;
(4) A community action agency;
(5) A State or local housing development agency;
(6) An Indian tribe or other agency primarily serving Indians;
(7) A community development corporation;
(8) A State or local youth service or conservation corps; and
(9) Any other entity eligible to provide education or employment training under a Federal program (other than the program carried out under this part).
Homeless individual. For purposes of YouthBuild, the definition of “homeless individual” at Section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302) applies.
Housing development agency. The term “housing development agency” means any agency of a Federal, State or local government, or any private nonprofit organization, that is engaged in providing housing for homeless individuals or low-income families.
Income. As defined in 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b), “income” is: Income from all sources of each member of the household, as determined in accordance with the criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, except that any amounts not actually received by the family and any amounts which would be eligible for exclusion under sec. 1382b(a)(7) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, may not be considered as income under this paragraph.
Indian; Indian tribe. As defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b of sec. 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act, the term “Indian” is a person who is a member of an Indian tribe; and the term “Indian tribe” is any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Individual of limited English proficiency. As defined in 20 U.S.C. 9202(10), an “individual of limited English proficiency” is: An adult or out- of-school youth who has limited ability in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language, and:
(1) Whose native language is a language other than English; or
(2) Who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.
Low-income family. As defined in 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2), a “low-income family” is: A family whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary of Labor with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary of Labor may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 80 percent of the median for the area if the Secretary finds that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs or unusually high or low family incomes. Further, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)(3), the term families includes families consisting of one person.
Migrant youth. The term “migrant youth” means a youth, or a youth who is the dependent of someone who, during the previous 12 months has:
(1) Worked at least 25 days in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment;
(2) Made at least $800 from agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment, if at least 50 percent of his or her income came from such agricultural labor;
(3) Was employed at least 50 percent of his or her total employment in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment; or
(4) Was employed in agricultural labor that requires travel to a jobsite such that the farmworker is unable to return to a permanent place of residence within the same day.
Needs-based stipend. The term “Needs-based stipends” means additional payments (beyond regular stipends for program participation) that are based on defined needs that enable youth to participate in the program. To provide needs-based stipends the grantee must have a written policy in place, which defines: Eligibility; the amounts; and the required documentation and criteria for payments. This policy must be applied consistently to all program participants.
Occupational skills training. The term “Occupational skills training” means an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing the actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels. The occupational skills training offered in YouthBuild programs must begin upon program enrollment and be tied to the award of an industry-recognized credential.
Partnership. The term “partnership” means an agreement that involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of commitment submitted by each organization and applicant, as defined in the YouthBuild Transfer Act, that plan on working together as partners in a YouthBuild program. Each partner must have a clearly defined role. These roles must be verified through a letter of commitment, not just a letter of support, or an MOU submitted by each partner. The letter of commitment or MOU must detail the role the partner will play in the YouthBuild Program, including the partner's specific responsibilities and resources committed, if appropriate. These letters or MOUs must clearly indicate the partnering organization's unique contribution and commitment to the YouthBuild Program.
Public housing agency. As defined in 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b), a “public housing agency” is: Any State, county, municipality or other government entity or public body, or agency or instrumentality of these entities, that is authorized to engage or assist in the development or operation of low- income housing.
Registered apprenticeship program. The term “registered apprenticeship program” means:
(1) Registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 20 U.S.C. 50 et seq. ); and
(2) A program with a plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification, recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices, as required under 29 CFR parts 29 and 30, including such matters as the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.
Sequential service strategy. The term “sequential service strategy” means the educational and occupational skills training plan developed for individuals who have dropped out of high school and want to enroll in a YouthBuild program. The plan is designed so that the individual sequentially enrolls in an alternative school, and after receiving a year or more of educational services, enrolls in the YouthBuild program.
Transitional housing. The term “transitional housing” means housing provided for the purpose of facilitating the movement of homeless individuals to independent living within a reasonable amount of time. The term includes housing primarily designed to serve deinstitutionalized homeless individuals and other homeless individuals who are individuals with disabilities or are members of families with children.
Youth in foster care. The term “youth in foster care” means youth currently in foster care or youth who have ever been in foster care.
Youth who is an individual with a disability. The term youth who is an individual with a disability means a youth with any disability (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)) or a student receiving special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
§ 672.200   How are YouthBuild grants funded and administered?
The Secretary uses funds authorized for appropriation under sec. 173A of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to administer YouthBuild as a national program under Title I, Subtitle D of the Act. YouthBuild grants are awarded to eligible entities, as defined in § 672.110, through a competitive selection process described in § 672.205.
§ 672.205   How does an eligible entity apply for grant funds to operate a YouthBuild program?
The Secretary announces the availability of grant funds through a Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA). The SGA contains instructions for what is required in the grant application, describes eligibility requirements, the rating criteria that will be used in reviewing grant applications, and special reporting requirements to operate a YouthBuild project.
§ 672.210   How are eligible entities selected to receive grant funds?
In order to receive funds under the YouthBuild program, an eligible entity applying for funds (applicant) must meet selection criteria established by the Secretary which include:
(a) The qualifications or potential capabilities of an applicant;
(b) An applicant's potential to develop a successful YouthBuild program;
(c) The need for an applicant's proposed program, as determined by the degree of economic distress of the community from which participants would be recruited (measured by indicators such as poverty, youth unemployment, and the number of individuals who have dropped out of secondary school) and of the community in which the housing and public facilities proposed to be rehabilitated or constructed are located (measured by indicators such as incidence of homelessness, shortage of affordable housing, and poverty);
(d) The commitment of an applicant to provide skills training, leadership development, counseling and case management, and education to participants;
(e) The focus of a proposed program on preparing youth for postsecondary education and training opportunities or local in-demand occupations;
(f) The extent of an applicant's coordination of activities to be carried out through the proposed program with:
(1) Local boards, One-Stop Career Center operators, and One-Stop partners participating in the operation of the One-Stop delivery system involved, or the extent of the applicant's good faith efforts, as determined by the Secretary, in achieving such coordination;
(2) Public education, criminal justice, housing and community development, national service, or postsecondary education or other systems that relate to the goals of the proposed program; and
(3) Employers in the local area.
(g) The extent to which a proposed program provides for inclusion of tenants who were previously homeless individuals or families in the rental of housing provided through the program;
(h) The commitment of additional resources to the proposed program (in addition to the funds made available through the grant) by:
(1) An applicant;
(2) Recipients of other Federal, State, or local housing and community development assistance who will sponsor any part of the rehabilitation, construction, operation and maintenance, or other housing and community development activities undertaken as part of the proposed program; or
(3) Entities carrying out other Federal, State, or local activities or activities conducted by Indian tribes, including vocational education programs, adult and language instruction educational programs, and job training using funds provided under WIA,
(i) An applicant's ability to enter partnerships with:
(1) Education and training providers including:
(i) The kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system;
(ii) Adult education programs;
(iii) Community and technical colleges;
(iv) Four-year colleges and universities;
(v) Registered apprenticeship programs; and
(vi) Other training entities.
(2) Employers, including professional organizations and associations. An applicant will be evaluated on the extent to which employers participate in:
(i) Defining the program strategy and goals;
(ii) Identifying needed skills and competencies;
(iii) Designing training approaches and curricula;
(iv) Contributing financial support; and
(v) Hiring qualified YouthBuild graduates.
(3) The workforce investment system which may include:
(i) State and local workforce investment boards;
(ii) State workforce agencies; and
(iii) One-Stop Career Centers and their cooperating partners.
(4) The juvenile and adult justice systems, and the extent to which they provide:
(i) Support and guidance for YouthBuild participants with court involvement;
(ii) Assistance in the reporting of recidivism rates among YouthBuild participants; and
(iii) Referrals of eligible participants through diversion or re-entry from incarceration.
(5) Faith-based and community organizations, and the extent to which they provide a variety of grant services such as:
(i) Case management;
(ii) Mentoring;
(iii) English as a Second Language courses; and
(iv) Other comprehensive supportive services, when appropriate.
(j) The applicant's potential to serve different regions, including rural areas and States that may not have previously received grants for YouthBuild programs; and
(k) Such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of evaluating an applicant's potential to carry out the proposed program in an effective and efficient manner.
(l) The weight to be given to these factors will be described in the SGA issued under § 672.205.
§ 672.215   How are eligible entities notified of approval for grant funds?
The Secretary will, to the extent practicable, notify each eligible entity applying for funds no later than 5 months from the date the application is received, whether the application is approved or disapproved. In the event additional funds become available, ETA reserves the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to an SGA.
§ 672.300   Who is an eligible participant?
(a) Eligibility criteria. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an individual is eligible to participate in a YouthBuild program if the individual is:
(1) Not less than age 16 and not more than age 24 on the date of enrollment; and
(2) A school dropout or an individual who has dropped out of school and reenrolled in an alternative school, if that reenrollment is part of a sequential service strategy; and
(3) Is one or more of the following:
(i) A member of a low-income family as defined in § 672.110;
(ii) A youth in foster care;
(iii) A youth offender;
(iv) A youth who is an individual with a disability;
(v) The child of a current or formerly incarcerated parent; or
(vi) A migrant youth as defined in § 672.110.
(b) Exceptions. Not more than 25 percent of the participants in a program, under this section, may be individuals who do not meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) or (3) of this section, if such individuals:
(1) Are basic skills deficient as defined in section 101(4) of WIA, even if they have their high school diploma, GED credential, or other State-recognized equivalent; or
(2) Have been referred by a local secondary school for participation in a YouthBuild program leading to the attainment of a secondary school diploma.
§ 672.305   Are there special rules that apply to veterans?
Special rules for determining income for veterans are found in 20 CFR 667.255 and for the priority of service provisions for qualified persons are found in 20 CFR part 1010. Those special rules apply to covered persons who are eligible to participate in the YouthBuild program.
§ 672.310   What eligible activities may be funded under the YouthBuild program?
Grantees may provide one or more of the following education and workforce investment and other activities to YouthBuild participants—
(a) Eligible education activities include:
(1) Services and activities designed to meet the educational needs of participants, including:
(i) Basic skills instruction and remedial education;
(ii) Language instruction educational programs for individuals with limited English proficiency;
(iii) Secondary education services and activities, including tutoring, study skills training, and dropout prevention activities, designed to lead to the attainment of a secondary school diploma, GED credential, or other State- recognized equivalent (including recognized alternative standards for individuals with disabilities);
(iv) Counseling and assistance in obtaining post-secondary education and required financial aid; and
(v) Alternative secondary school services;
(2) Counseling services and related activities, such as comprehensive guidance and counseling on drug and alcohol abuse and referral to appropriate treatment;
(3) Activities designed to develop employment and leadership skills, which may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors, and activities related to youth policy committees that participate in decisionmaking related to the program; and
(4) Supportive services, as defined under Title I of WIA Section 101(46), and provision of need-based stipends, as defined in § 672.110.
(b) Eligible workforce investment activities include:
(1) Work experience and skills training (coordinated, to the maximum extent feasible, with registered apprenticeship programs) in housing rehabilitation and construction activities described in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section;
(2) Occupational skills training;
(3) Other paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing; and
(4) Job search assistance.
(c) Other eligible activities include:
(1) Supervision and training for participants in the rehabilitation or construction of housing, including residential housing for homeless individuals and families or low-income families, or transitional housing for homeless individuals and families;
(2) Supervision and training for participants in the rehabilitation or construction of community or other public facilities, except that, as provided in § 672.505(b), not more than 10 percent of the funds awarded for each grant may be used for such supervision and training;
(3) Ongoing training and technical assistance for staff of grant recipients that is related to developing and carrying out the YouthBuild program;
(4) Payment of a portion of the administrative costs of the program as provided in § 672.505(a);
(5) Adult mentoring;
(6) Provision of wages, stipends, or additional benefits to participants in the program as provided in § 672.530; and
(7) Follow-up services as provided in § 672.325.
§ 672.315   What timeframes apply to participation?
An eligible individual selected for participation in the program must be offered full-time participation in the program for not less than 6 months and not more than 24 months.
§ 672.320   What timeframes must be devoted to education and workforce investment or other activities?
YouthBuild grantees must structure programs so that participants in the program are offered:
(a) Eligible education activities, as specified in § 672.310(a), during at least 50 percent of the time during which they participate in the program; and
(b) Eligible workforce investment activities, as specified in § 672.310(b), during at least 40 percent of the time during which they participate in the program. Grantees must provide the eligible workforce investment activities described in § 672.310(b)(1) as part of their program of eligible workforce investment activities.
(c) The remaining 10 percent of the time of participation can be used for the activities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and/or for leadership development and community service activities.
§ 672.325   What timeframes apply for follow-up services?
Follow-up services must be provided to all YouthBuild participants for a period of not less than 9 months but no more than 12 months after participants exit a YouthBuild program. These are services that assist participants in obtaining or retaining employment, or applying for and transitioning to post-secondary education or training.
§ 672.400   What are the performance indicators for YouthBuild grants?
(a) The performance indicators for YouthBuild grants are:
(1) Placement in employment or education;
(2) Attainment of a degree or certificate;
(3) Literacy and numeracy gains; and
(4) Such other indicators of performance as may be required by the Secretary.
(b) We will provide the details of the performance indicators in administrative guidance.
§ 672.405   What are the required levels of performance for the performance indicators?
(a) Expected levels of performance for each of the common performance indicators are national standards that are provided in separately issued guidance. Short-term or other performance indicators will be provided in separately issued guidance or as part of the SGA or grant agreement. Performance level expectations are based on available YouthBuild data and data from similar WIA Youth programs and may change between grant competitions. The expected national levels of performance will take into account the extent to which the levels promote continuous improvement in performance.
(b) The levels of performance established will, at a minimum:
(1) Be expressed in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form; and
(2) Indicate continuous improvement in performance.
§ 672.410   What are the reporting requirements for YouthBuild grantees?
Each grantee must provide such reports as are required by the Secretary in separately issued guidance, including:
(a) The Quarterly Performance Report;
(b) The quarterly narrative progress report;
(c) The financial report; and
(d) Such other reports as may be required by the grant agreement.
§ 672.415   What are the due dates for quarterly reporting?
(a) Quarterly reports are due no later than 45 days after the end of the reporting quarter, unless otherwise specified in the reporting guidance issued under § 672.410; and
(b) A final financial report is required 90 days after the expiration of a funding period or the termination of grant support.
§ 672.500   What administrative regulations apply to the YouthBuild program?
Each YouthBuild grantee must comply with the following:
(a) The regulations found in this part.
(b) The general administrative requirements found in 20 CFR part 667, except those that apply only to the WIA Title I-B program and those that have been modified by this section.
(c) The Department's regulations on government-wide requirements, which include:
(1) The regulations codifying the Office of Management and Budget's government-wide grants requirements: Circular A-110 (codified at 2 CFR part 215), and Circular A-102 at 29 CFR parts 95 and 97, as applicable;
(2) The Department's regulations at 29 CFR part 37, which implement the nondiscrimination provisions of WIA section 188;
(3) The Department's regulations at 29 CFR parts 93, 94, and 98 relating to restrictions on lobbying, drug free workplace, and debarment and suspension; and
(4) The audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133 stated at 29 CFR part 99, as required by 29 CFR 96.11, 95.26, and 97.26, as applicable.
§ 672.505   How may grantees provide services under the YouthBuild program?
Each recipient of a grant under the YouthBuild program may provide the services and activities described in these regulations either directly or through subgrants, contracts, or other arrangements with local educational agencies, postsecondary educational institutions, State or local housing development agencies, other public agencies, including agencies of Indian tribes, or private organizations.
§ 672.510   What cost limits apply to the use of YouthBuild program funds?
(a) Administrative costs for programs operated under YouthBuild are limited to no more than 15 percent of the grant award. The definition of administrative costs can be found in 20 CFR 667.220.
(b) The cost of supervision and training for participants involved in the rehabilitation or construction of community and other public facilities is limited to no more than 10 percent of the grant award.
§ 672.515   What are the cost-sharing or matching requirements of the YouthBuild program?
(a) The cost-sharing or matching requirements applicable to a YouthBuild grant will be addressed in the grant agreement.
(b) The value of construction materials used in the YouthBuild program is an allowable cost for the purposes of the required non-Federal share or match.
(c) The value of land acquired for the YouthBuild program is not an allowable cost-sharing or match.
(d) Federal funds may not be used as cost-sharing or match resources except as provided by Federal law.
(e) The value of buildings acquired for the YouthBuild program is an allowable match, provided that the following conditions apply:
(1) The purchase cost of buildings used solely for training purposes is allowable; and
(2) For buildings used for training and other purposes, the allowable amount is determined based on the proportionate share of the purchase price related to direct training activities.
(f) Grantees must follow the requirements of 29 CFR 95.23 or 29 CFR 97.24 in the accounting, valuation, and reporting of the required non-Federal share.
§ 672.520   What are considered to be leveraged funds?
(a) Leveraged funds may be used to support allowable YouthBuild program activities and consist of payments made for allowable costs funded by both non-YouthBuild Federal, and non-Federal, resources which include:
(1) Costs which meet the criteria for cost-sharing or match in § 672.515 and are in excess of the amount of cost-sharing or match resources required;
(2) Costs which would meet the criteria in § 672.515 except that they are paid for with other Federal resources; and
(3) Costs which benefit the grant program and are otherwise allowable under the cost principles but are not allowable under the grant because of some statutory, regulatory, or grant provision, whether paid for with Federal or non-Federal resources.
(b) The use of leveraged funds must be reported in accordance with Departmental instructions.
§ 672.525   How are the costs associated with real property treated in the YouthBuild program?
(a) As provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the costs of the following activities associated with real property are allowable solely for the purpose of training YouthBuild participants:
(1) Rehabilitation of existing structures for use by homeless individuals and families or low-income families or for use as transitional housing.
(2) Construction of buildings for use by homeless individuals and families or low-income families or for use as transitional housing.
(3) Construction or rehabilitation of community or other public facilities, except, as provided in § 672.510(b), only 10 percent of the grant award is allowable for such construction and rehabilitation.
(b) The costs for acquisition of buildings that are used for activities described in paragraph (a) of this section are allowable with prior grant officer approval and only under the following conditions:
(1) The purchase cost of buildings used solely for training purposes is allowable; and
(2) For buildings used for training and other purposes, the allowable amount is determined based on the proportionate share of the purchase cost related to direct training.
(c) The following costs are allowable to the extent allocable to training YouthBuild participants in the construction and rehabilitation activities specified in paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) Trainees' tools and clothing including personal protective equipment (PPE);
(2) On-site trainee supervisors;
(3) Construction management;
(4) Relocation of buildings; and
(5) Clearance and demolition.
(d) Architectural fees, or a proportionate share thereof, are allowable when such fees can be related to items such as architectural plans or blueprints on which participants will be trained.
(e) The following costs are unallowable:
(1) The costs of acquisition of land.
(2) Brokerage fees.
§ 672.530   What participant costs are allowable under the YouthBuild program?
Allowable participant costs include:
(a) The costs of payments to participants engaged in eligible work-related YouthBuild activities.
(b) The costs of payments provided to participants engaged in non-work- related YouthBuild activities.
(c) The costs of needs-based stipends.
(d) The costs of supportive services.
(e) The costs of providing additional benefits to participants or individuals who have exited the program and are receiving follow-up services, which may include:
(1) Tuition assistance for obtaining college education credits;
(2) Scholarships to an Apprenticeship, Technical, or Secondary Education program; and
(3) Sponsored health programs.
§ 672.535   What effect do payments to YouthBuild participants have on eligibility for other Federal need-based benefits?
Under 20 CFR 667.272(c), allowances, earnings, and payments to individuals participating in programs under Title I of WIA are not considered as income for purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of income transfer and in-kind aid furnished under any Federal or Federally-assisted program based on need other than as provided under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301).
§ 672.540   What program income requirements apply under the YouthBuild program?
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, program income requirements, as specified in the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements at 29 CFR 95.24 and 97.25, apply to YouthBuild grants.
(b) Revenue from the sale of buildings rehabilitated or constructed under the YouthBuild program to homeless individuals and families and low-income families is not considered program income. Grantees are encouraged to use that revenue for the long-term sustainability of the YouthBuild program.
§ 672.545   Are YouthBuild programs subject to the Davis-Bacon Act labor standards?
(a) YouthBuild programs and grantees are subject to Davis-Bacon labor standards requirements under the circumstances set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. In those instances where a grantee is subject to Davis-Bacon requirements, the grantee must follow applicable requirements in the Department's regulations at 29 CFR parts 1, 3, and 5, including the requirements contained in the Davis-Bacon contract provisions set forth in 29 CFR 5.5.
(b) YouthBuild participants are subject to Davis-Bacon Act labor standards when they perform Davis-Bacon-covered laborer or mechanic work, defined at 29 CFR 5.2, on Federal or Federally-assisted projects that are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act labor standards. The Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply to hours worked on the site of the work.
(c) YouthBuild participants who are not registered and participating in a training program approved by the Employment and Training Administration must be paid not less than the applicable wage rate on the wage determination for the classification of work actually performed.
§ 672.550   What are the recordkeeping requirements for YouthBuild programs?
(a) Grantees must follow the recordkeeping requirements specified in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, at 29 CFR 95.53 and 29 CFR 97.42, as appropriate.
(b) Grantees must maintain such additional records related to the use of buildings constructed or rehabilitated with YouthBuild funds as specified in the grant agreement or in the Department's guidance.
§ 672.600   What are the safety requirements for the YouthBuild program?
(a) YouthBuild Grantees must comply with 20 CFR 667.274, which applies Federal and State health and safety standards to the working conditions under WIA-funded projects and programs. These health and safety standards include “hazardous orders” governing child labor under 29 CFR part 570 prohibiting youth ages 16 and 17 from working in identified hazardous occupations.
(b) YouthBuild grantees are required to:
(1) Provide comprehensive safety training for youth working on YouthBuild construction projects;
(2) Have written, jobsite-specific, safety plans overseen by an on-site supervisor with authority to enforce safety procedures;
(3) Provide necessary personal protective equipment to youth working on YouthBuild projects; and
(4) Submit required injury incident reports.
§ 672.605   What are the reporting requirements for youth safety?
YouthBuild grantees must ensure that YouthBuild program sites comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) reporting requirements in 29 CFR part 1904. A YouthBuild grantee is responsible for sending a copy of OSHA's injury incident report form, to U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration within 7 days of any reportable injury suffered by a YouthBuild participant. The injury incident report form is available from OSHA and can be downloaded at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html. Reportable injuries include those that result in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
§ 672.610   What environmental protection laws apply to the YouthBuild program?
YouthBuild Program grantees are required, where applicable, to comply with all environmental protection statutes and regulations.
§ 672.615   What requirements apply to YouthBuild housing?
(a) YouthBuild grantees must ensure that all residential housing units which are constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds must be available solely for:
(1) Sale to homeless individuals and families or low-income families;
(2) Rental by homeless individuals and families or low-income families;
(3) Use as transitional or permanent housing for the purpose of assisting in the movement of homeless individuals and families to independent living; or
(4) Rehabilitation of homes for low-income homeowners.
(b) For rentals of residential units located on the property which are constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds:
(1) The property must maintain at least a 90 percent level of occupancy for low-income families. The income test will be conducted only at the time of entry for each available unit or rehabilitation of occupant-owned home. If the grantee cannot find a qualifying tenant to lease the unit, the unit may be leased to a family whose income is above the income threshold to qualify as a low-income family but below the median income for the area. Leases for tenants with higher incomes will be limited to not more than two years. The leases provided to tenants with higher incomes are not subject to the termination clause that is described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) The property owner must not terminate the tenancy or refuse to renew the lease of a tenant occupying a residential rental housing unit constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds except for serious or repeated violations of the terms and conditions of the lease, for violation of applicable Federal, State or local laws, or for good cause. Any termination or refusal to renew the lease must be preceded by not less than a 30-day written notice to the tenant specifying the grounds for the action. The property owner may waive the written notice requirement for termination in dangerous or egregious situations involving the tenant.
(c) All transitional or permanent housing for homeless individuals or families or low-income families must be safe and sanitary. The housing must meet all applicable State and local housing codes and licensing requirements in the jurisdiction in which the housing is located.
(d) For sales or rentals of residential housing units constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds, YouthBuild grantees must ensure that owners of the property record a restrictive covenant at the time that an occupancy permit is issued against such property which includes the use restrictions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section and incorporates the following definitions at § 672.110: Homeless Individual; Low- Income Housing; and Transitional Housing. The term of the restrictive covenant must be at least 10 years from the time of the issuance of the occupancy permit, unless a time period of more than 10 years has been established by the grantee. Any additional stipulations imposed by a grantee or property owner should be clearly stated in the covenant.
(e) Any conveyance document prepared in the 10-year period of the restrictive covenant must inform the buyer of the property that all residential housing units constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds are subject to the restrictions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.