U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Contents 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Section 1: Benefits of the Renewal Community Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Section 2: Renewal Community Tax Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Section 3: Eligibility Area Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Section 4: Course of Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Section 5: Certifications and Written Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Section 6: Selection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Section 7: Coordinating Responsible Authority (CoRA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Section 8: Tax Incentive Utilization Plan and Citizen Participation 

Requirements for Designated RCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Section 9: National Advisory Council on Community Renewal. . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Section 10: Application Checklist: Have You Included These Items 

in Your Submission? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Section 11: Questions and Answers on the Renewal Community Initiative . . 51

Section 12: Useful References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–1

Renewal Community Application Forms and 

Extra Copies of Certifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–1
1

Introduction

The Renewal Community (RC) initiative is a new kind of partnership among Federal,

State, and local governments; local businesses; and community organizations to

stimulate economic development in the Nation’s most distressed communities. Areas

designated as RCs—whether urban, rural, or within Indian reservations—are distressed areas that will receive special Federal income tax treatment and other

incentives. 

The RC initiative represents a new approach to advancing economic prosperity

in the poorest of the poor areas of a community—areas that have been considered

resistant to economic development. Through this initiative, HUD will designate

40 of the most distressed communities in the Nation and provide them with the

opportunity for economic growth through a package of tax incentives. The tax

benefits to RC designations made in 2001 will be available from January 1, 2002,

to December 31, 2009.

The government incentives provided for RCs are, generally, incentives of forbearance. Business activities in RCs will not be subject to the same levels of taxation

or the same regulatory restrictions that apply elsewhere.

The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act1 (CRTR Act) of 2000, which established

the RC initiative, is part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Appropriations

Act for FY01 (Public Law 106–544, 106th Congress, signed into law on December

21). The CRTR Act authorizes the designation of 40 RCs (28 urban and 12 rural)

and the designation of 9 Round III Empowerment Zones (EZs) (7 urban and 2 rural). 

How Will HUD Select Renewal Communities?

The RC program represents a new approach to the selection of target areas that will

benefit from special tax incentives. Unlike the EZ and Enterprise Community (EC)

programs, which require a rigorous, detailed application and detailed coordination

with local consolidated planning programs, RCs will be selected on the basis of

straightforward measures of community need.

1. CRTR Act adds a new subchapter X, consisting of sections 1400E through 1400J, to Chapter 1 of

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Subchapter X governs the designation of, and tax incentives

for, RCs.
2

The application process for the RC initiative is streamlined and simple. State and

local governments define an area (within a continuous boundary) and nominate it

to be designated as an RC. Areas that are documented to be areas of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress and that pass specific thresholds for

certain indices (poverty, unemployment, and income for urban areas; poverty and

unemployment for rural areas) will be eligible for an RC designation. The forms

in the appendix document the rates of poverty, unemployment, and income of area

residents. State and local governments also commit to a course of tax and regulatory action and enhanced public services to encourage economic development in

the area. Bonus points will be awarded if the area has lower than average crime

rates and if the nominated area’s census tracts are identified by the U.S. General

Accounting Office as distressed areas.

The urban and rural nominated communities then will be ranked by need, from

most to least severe. HUD will apply a computerized formula to select as RCs

those rural and urban communities that have the most severe indications of need.

What Benefits Does the RC Initiative Offer

Designated Communities?

The RC initiative focuses on marshaling the support and commitments of key players

in State and local governments and emphasizes forming alliances with businesses

and local community-based organizations. The initiative does not provide Federal

funds. Instead, it offers Federal tax breaks and provides a framework for State and

local governments to offer incentives and other benefits. 

By encouraging job development and retention, the RC initiative helps residents

gain employment, succeed in their jobs, and become economically self-sufficient.

The increase in business activity that results from these actions will provide economic growth and benefits to RCs and the surrounding communities.

In addition, HUD will offer technical assistance to help RC communities put the

tax incentive package together and develop materials to promote its benefits

to businesses.

Nationwide, the RC tax package represents a net worth of more than $5 billion in

tax credits in areas such as wage credits, additional deductions under Section 179

of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, deductions for revitalization expenditures (up

to $12 million per RC), and breaks on capital gains tax rates. RCs also will be

eligible for the New Markets Tax Credits—worth more than $8 billion—and for

$5 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. 

How Does the RC Initiative Work?

The RC initiative creates a structure that fosters partnerships. Federal, State,

and local governments, community organizations, and businesses all play a role.
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The State and local government role. State and local governments develop,

commit to, and implement a Course of Action that becomes the framework of the

local RC initiative. Set out in a formal document, the Course of Action is a plan that

shows how the governments, and local organizations, will perform at least four of the

following within the RC:

■ Reduce tax rates.

■ Increase local services.

■ Implement crime reduction strategies.

■ Act to reduce or remove government requirements.

■ Increase involvement in economic development activities.

■ Promote the giving, or selling at below fair market value, of surplus real property

in the RC.

The State and local governments also must certify to take action within the RC

concerning specific economic growth promotion requirements that affect businesses.

The certification documents that the nominating governments will reduce regulatory,

infrastructure, and service burdens on employers and employees in the nominated

area, as required by the CRTR Act.

The role of alliances with businesses and community groups. At the heart

of the RC initiative are the alliances formed with businesses and community

groups; alliances that truly create a full range of economic opportunities for RC

residents. Alliances with local businesses, nonprofit entities, and community

groups—documented in the Course of Action—must be designed to provide jobs,

employment services, and social services. 

HUD does not require nominees to involve a defined list of State and local government agencies. It does, however, encourage nominees to seek the active participation

of agencies responsible for community and economic development and business

assistance; human services and human development, such as the administering

agency for the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program;

and job support programs, including childcare, employment training, welfare-towork, and school-to-work. (For more details on TANF, see section 1.)

The role of the coordinating responsible authority (CoRA). Within 30

days after a nominated community has received designation as an RC, the State

and local governments must identify a CoRA. The CoRA—which may be an entity, an organization, or person(s)—is authorized by the governments that nominate

the RC. The CoRA functions as the RC’s central point of contact and takes on the

responsibility and authority to carry out the program as detailed in the Course of

Action and certifications of commitment. The CoRA is also responsible for promoting RC benefits to businesses and making required periodic reports to HUD.
5

S ECTION 1

Benefits of the Renewal 

Community Initiative

The objective of the Renewal Community (RC) initiative is to foster investment

in the designated areas, which are some of the most severely distressed and

development-resistant areas in the Nation.

The Federal Government has a twofold commitment to areas designated as RCs:

■ Making available a substantial package of tax initiatives to businesses located

in RCs.

■ Making a commitment to provide technical assistance to aid RCs in planning

and organizing their development activities, reaching out to the business community, promoting RCs’ many attractive features, and encouraging investments

in RCs.

Federal Tax Incentives 

Rather than providing grants or guarantees to finance development projects, the

RC initiative offers tax incentives to foster a strong, coordinated effort by Federal,

State, and local governments to attract businesses to the designated area. 

The RC tax benefits package represents a net worth of more than $5 billion in tax

credits. These benefits consist of: 

■ Wage credits for employing RC residents.

■ Additional Section 179 deductions.

■ Deductions for revitalization expenditures (up to $12 million per RC).

■ Zero-percent capital gains tax rate on qualifying assets held for more than 5 years. 

RCs also will be eligible for New Markets Tax Credits worth more than $8 billion and

for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits worth $5 million (FY01 level). 

State and Local Governments Commit to Incentives 

In addition to the Federal commitment, State and local governments also commit

to minimizing or eliminating altogether levels of taxation and easing regulatory restrictions. State and local governments further commit to improving the infrastructure and

enhancing a variety of services for RC residents and businesses. All these contributions help make the RC more competitive in attracting and retaining businesses.
6

HUD Will Provide Technical Assistance 

The success of the RC initiative depends on the availability of technical expertise

concerning how businesses can use various tax incentives and the skills needed to

promote RCs to local businesses. HUD will provide technical assistance from various sources to help all designated RCs.

HUD will assign a representative to each coordinating responsible authority (CoRA).

The representative will help develop a tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP) to assist

RC businesses, utilizing to its best advantage the different incentives that Federal,

State, and local governments make available. The representative will work with

each RC on specific questions and concerns and help the RC develop and implement a marketing plan.

HUD also is prepared to draw on its alliances with corporations, tax experts, public

interest groups, and private charitable foundations to provide subject expertise to

RCs. Using this network of experts, RCs will gain the know-how to effectively promote and market tax incentives to businesses willing to locate or expand operations

in their boundaries. HUD also will facilitate assistance from other Federal agencies. In particular, HUD will encourage the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) to enhance services available to RC residents, including innovative uses of Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program

funds and related welfare-to-work and job support programs, such as subsidized

childcare.

In addition, each RC will become a member of HUD’s current network of EZs

and ECs. Members may participate in monthly conference calls, attend workshops,

receive fax broadcasts with Federal program and funding information, and participate in electronic forums for airing concerns, sharing successes, and networking

with peers.

Helping Residents Become Self-Sufficient 

The Federal Government’s commitment to RCs involves much more than the menu

of Federal tax incentives and accompanying technical assistance for business

development. In addition to those key items, Federal agencies will provide technical assistance, information, and models for reducing or eliminating bureaucratic

impediments and enhancing services so that businesses will succeed and residents will prosper.

Effective State and local workforce development and welfare-to-work systems are

key to community renewal. In this era of welfare system reform, many low-income

residents are becoming self-sufficient, but many others still need a “hand up”

in order to develop the skills they need to obtain a job and move up the career

ladder. Similarly, emerging and established businesses want to employ dependable and skilled workers. 

Many may be aware that, as a result of welfare reform legislation in 1996, the

TANF program replaced the former welfare program, Aid to Families with
7

Dependent Children. TANF has given States new opportunities to develop and

implement innovative strategies that move families from the cycle of dependency

on public assistance to employment. For example, many States are turning welfare

offices into comprehensive service centers focused on work or on changing policies so that work pays. The TANF program provides extraordinary flexibility for

funding a wide variety of employment and training activities, supportive services,

and benefits that can enable residents to get a job, keep a job, and improve their

economic circumstances. 

HHS has established a special Web site so that RC applicants can access information

about the TANF program. The Web address is www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ocs/

ez-ec/index.htm. It provides information about allowable uses of TANF funds and

suggestions about how best to coordinate with State TANF agencies in order to

include a welfare-to-work component in the RC Course of Action. In particular,

the Web page features a downloadable and easy-to-read booklet, Helping Families

Achieve Self-Sufficiency: A Guide on Funding Services for Children and Families

through the TANF Program, which identifies many potential uses of TANF funds

in areas such as the following:

■ Support for work activities such as job search, job retention and postemployment

followup services, and subsidized wages. 

■ Education and training.

■ Childcare services such as full-day childcare services and childcare subsidies.

■ Transportation services—including transit passes, reverse commute projects,

financial support to purchase a car, reimbursements for mileage, auto repairs,

and auto insurance—to facilitate finding and keeping a job. 

■ Housing expenses such as rental assistance (including security deposits),

application fees, and payments of back rent to prevent evictions. 

■ Community development activities including loans to small businesses if they

agree to hire and train TANF recipients and microenterprise development programs.

■ Counseling services such as mental health services, anger management counseling, and nonmedical substance abuse counseling services.

In addition, HHS staff will be available to provide information about State TANF

agency contacts, the TANF program, and other available State resources. For

information about HHS resources, please contact James Gatz, HHS Office of

Community Services, (202) 401–5284 or jgatz@acf.dhhs.gov.
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S ECTION 2

Renewal Community Tax Incentives 

Substantial tax incentives will be available to businesses in Renewal Communities

(RCs) during the period January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2009. These tax

incentives are generally designed to encourage businesses to locate or expand

operations in an RC and to hire RC residents. The incentives include:

Renewal Community Tax Incentives for Businesses 

■ Wage Credits.

■ Deductions.

■ Bond Financing.

■ Capital Gains.

■ Other Incentives.

Wage Credits 

■ Renewal Community Employment Credit (RC Wage Credit). Credit

against Federal taxes of up to $1,500 during each year of RC designation for

all existing employees and every new hire living in the RC.

■ Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Credit of up to $2,400 against

Federal taxes for businesses for each new hire from groups that have high

unemployment rates or other special employment needs, including youth ages

18 to 24 and summer hires ages 16 to 17 who live in an RC.

■ Welfare to Work (WtW) Credit. Two-year credit against Federal taxes for

businesses that hire long-term family assistance recipients. Credits of up to

$3,500 in the first year and $5,000 in the second year for each new hire.

■ Indian Employment Credit. Credit against Federal taxes calculated on wages

of up to $20,000 for each qualified employee who is an enrolled member of an

Indian tribe (or spouse of an enrolled member) who lives on or near an Indian

reservation. Available for existing employees and new hires.

Deductions 

■ Increased Section 179 Deduction. Allows a business to claim an increased

Section 179 deduction (up to $35,000) if it qualifies as a Renewal Community

Business. Can be claimed on certain depreciable property such as equipment

and machinery.

■ Commercial Revitalization Deduction. Deduction of either one-half of

qualified revitalization expenditures (QREs) in the first year a building is placed

in service or all QREs on a prorated basis over 10 years if QREs have been

allocated to revitalization of a commercial building located in an RC.
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■ Environmental Cleanup Cost Deduction (Brownfields). Businesses can

elect to deduct qualified cleanup costs of hazardous substances in certain areas

(brownfields) in the tax year the business pays or incurs the costs.

■ Depreciation of Property Used on Indian Reservations. Special accelerated depreciation rules apply to qualified property placed in service on an

Indian reservation after 1993 and before 2004. Certain public infrastructure

used or located off the Indian reservation also qualifies. 

Bond Financing 

■ Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs). State or local governments can

issue bonds at 0-percent interest cost to them to finance public school programs with private business partnerships. Private businesses must contribute

money, equipment, or services equal to 10 percent of bond proceeds (which

may qualify as a charitable contribution). The Federal Government pays interest

in the form of tax credit to banks, insurance companies, and certain lending

corporations that hold QZABs.

Capital Gains 

■ Zero Percent Capital Gains Rate for RC Assets. The holder, for a minimum

of 5 years, of an RC asset acquired between January 1, 2002, and December 31,

2009, will not have to include in its gross income any qualified capital gain

from the sale or exchange of the asset.

Other Incentives 

■ New Markets Tax Credit. Equity investors in qualified Community Development

Entities (CDEs) can obtain a tax credit against Federal taxes of 5 to 6 percent

of the amount invested for each of the years the investment is held, for up to 7

years of the credit period.

■ Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Ten-year credit against Federal

taxes for owners of newly constructed or renovated rental housing that set aside a

specified percentage of units for low-income persons for a minimum of 15 years.

The credit varies for new construction and renovation.

For more information on tax incentives available in RCs, please see Tax Incentive

Guide for Businesses in the Renewal Communities, Empowerment Zones, and

Enterprise Communities. See section 12 for instructions on how to obtain the guide.

Also, designated communities will need to prepare a tax incentive utilization plan

(TIUP) outlining a strategy for promoting the use of these tax incentives. See section

8 for details on the TIUP. 
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S ECTION 3

Eligibility Area Requirements 

The Five-Step Designation Process 

1.Convene. Applicants should first establish contact and meet with all the significant players in the development of the application, such as representatives

from the State and local governments and the community-based organizations

that have the authority to make important decisions involving the selection of

the nominated area and the development of the Course of Action. The State and

local government representatives also should have access to those officials who

will be responsible for committing and signing the certifications that are integral

to the Renewal Community (RC) designation and its success.

2. Verify. The applicant must verify that each of the census tracts within the nominated area meets the geographic, population, and economic condition

requirements (poverty and unemployment, and, in the case of urban nominated

areas, poverty, unemployment, and income). Filling out the Urban or Rural Census

Tract Data Form early in the process is the best way to verify the nominated

area’s census tracts. HUD has provided 1990 census data tables showing population, poverty rates, income, and other information needed to complete the form.

These tables can be found on HUD’s Internet site at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec

or obtained by calling Community Connections at (800) 998–9999. 

3. Develop. The streamlined application process has three essential components

consisting of the nomination form (see appendix), the Course of Action, and

certifications. These components are discussed in detail in sections 3, 4, and 5.

4.Submit. Applicants are required to submit a completed nomination form (see

appendix), a map showing the boundaries of the nominated area, a Course of

Action signed by officials representing the State(s) and local government(s) and

community-based organizations, and the signed certifications.

5.Implement. Once nominated areas have been designated as RCs, the State

and local governments in which the designation is made must meet specific

post-designation requirements. These requirements include establishing the

coordinating responsible authority (CoRA)—the entity with the authority and

responsibility for achieving the State and local government certifications and

commitments included in the applicant’s submission. The CoRA will prepare

and submit to HUD the designee’s tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP) and

ensure that the TIUP is developed with community participation. The CoRA

also must include a certification that the TIUP is consistent with the local

Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan. Because the CoRA is the responsible authority for achieving the State and local governments’ certifications, the

membership of the CoRA should be considered early on and included in the

application planning process. 
12

Who Can Submit a Nomination? 

The process of obtaining RC status begins with the submission of a nomination for

RC designation. 

■ All State and local governments within the nominated area jointly submit the

Certification forms, the nomination form, and an outline map of the census

tracts and jurisdictions/borders. Both State and local officials must sign these

forms (see appendix).

A local government with an Empowerment Zone (EZ) or an Enterprise Community

(EC) designation is not precluded from applying for one of the 40 RC designations as long as the RC nominated area does not contain any census tracts

already included in the EZ or EC. If, however, a local government applies for

an RC, and any of the RC’s designated area is in an EZ or EC, the EZ or EC

designation ceases to be in effect on the date that the RC designation takes

effect. In addition, the nominated area must meet all the RC requirements.

■ For areas on Indian reservations, the reservation governing body (as determined

by the Secretary of the Interior) must submit the nomination. No other State or

local governments need to sign the forms. 

Geographic Requirements

To be eligible for designation, an area must meet the following geographic requirements.

■ Its area must be within the jurisdiction of one or more local governments.

■ The boundary of the area must be continuous.

■ The boundary may cross natural features, such as a river, or jurisdictional

lines, such as a county border.

■ The boundary may enclose areas not included in the proposed RC area,

resulting in the nominated area’s having a “Swiss cheese” appearance.

■ A map showing the boundaries of the proposed RC must be attached to the

nomination form.

Population Requirements

To be eligible for designation, an area must meet certain population requirements.

All nominated areas. Whether urban or rural, all nominated areas must have a

population of not more than 200,000. In the case of a rural nominated area, the

population must not be less than 1,000. In the case of an urban nominated area,

the population must not be less than 4,000. 

Rural nominated areas. If the nominated area is located entirely within a single

local government jurisdiction, the jurisdiction must either have a population of

less than 50,000 or be located outside a metropolitan area. If the nominated area

is located within several local jurisdictions, each jurisdiction either must have a

population of less than 50,000 or must be located outside a metropolitan area. 
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S ECTION 6

Rural case-by-case determinations. If the nominated area jurisdictions do not

meet the requirements above, HUD may determine on a case-by-case basis after

consultation with the Secretary of Commerce that a nominated area should be considered as a rural area based on information submitted in the application.

Urban nominated areas. Some portion of the nominated area must be located

within a local government jurisdiction that has a population of 50,000 or greater

and is located within a metropolitan area.

Indian reservations. A nominated area that is entirely within an Indian reservation is not subject to population requirements.

Economic Condition Requirements

To be eligible for RC designation, areas must meet the following economic thresholds

based on 1990 census data. 

Urban areas. Urban areas must (1) submit a certification of economic distress

and meet (2) the unemployment requirement, (3) the poverty requirement, and

(4) the income requirement.

Rural areas. Rural areas must (1) submit a certification of economic distress and

meet (2) the unemployment requirement and (3) the poverty requirement.

Unemployment requirement. The unemployment rate in the nominated area

must be at least one and one-half times (150 percent) the national unemployment

rate based on 1990 census data. 

Poverty requirement. Each census tract within nominated urban and rural

areas must have a poverty rate of least 20 percent. Within an Indian reservation,

the poverty rate of the nominated area as a whole will be considered.

Income requirement. At least 70 percent of area households for an urban

nominated area as a whole must have incomes below 80 percent of the Household

Adjusted Median Family Income (HAMFI). There is no income requirement for

rural areas or Indian reservations. The total number of households in each census

tract and the number of households below 80 percent of the HAMFI in each census tract are available through HUD’s Web site at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec

or by calling (800) 998–9999. 

Certification of economic distress. The nominating governments must certify

that the nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general

distress. There must be evidence to support these certifications, which may be presented in narrative form, through tables or charts, or any combination of these options.

This evidence must support the following conclusions: 

■ Pervasive poverty. Poverty is widespread through the nominated area (as

indicated by 1990 census data) or it has become entrenched (as shown through

comparisons of 1980 and 1990 census data or other relevant evidence.)
14

■ Unemployment. Unemployment is not less than the national annual average

rate (from the most recent data available) or hardships in the local economy,

such as a military base or plant closing, have created significant job dislocation

within the nominated area.

■ General distress. Adverse socioeconomic conditions within the nominated

area, other than pervasive poverty and unemployment. 

The table or narrative may include:

■ Below average or decline in personal income.

■ Number of persons on welfare.

■ Per capita property tax base.

■ High or rising incidence of crime.

■ Health data on teen pregnancy rates, incidence of AIDS, and other adverse

health indicators.

■ Education data on school dropout rate and illiteracy rate.

■ Homelessness.

■ Abandoned housing.

■ Deteriorated infrastructure. 
S ECTION 4

Course of Action 

The RC application must include a Course of Action—a plan that demonstrates how

the State and local governments will work with community-based organizations to

reduce burdens and to improve services for RC residents and businesses. The plan

must be a written document, signed by representatives of the nominating State and

local governments and by the community-based organizations that are committed to

achieving the goals of the Course of Action. These organizations are not required to be

located in the nominated area as long as they commit to the Course of Action’s goals. 

Key Partners 

HUD encourages nominated areas to involve a broad spectrum of State and local

public agencies, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and neighborhood or

community-based groups. Signatories may include the following: 

■ Community, economic, and business development agencies. 

■ Local public health and social service departments.

■ Federal and State agencies.

■ Job support programs (childcare, employment training, and welfare-to-work

programs).

■ Faith-based organizations.

■ Residents.

■ Businesses.

■ Local political leaders.

■ Local nonprofit groups or resident associations.

■ Local chapters of national housing and service agencies with commitments to

the nominated area (such as Habitat for Humanity, Police Athletic League, and

YWCA/YMCA).

■ Community development corporations.

■ Environmental groups.

■ Schools and universities (including Community Outreach Partnership Centers).

Required Goals and Actions 

The Course of Action is not limited to future goals and actions. Efforts by the State

or local government within the past 8 years—either completed or ongoing—may

be used to meet Course of Action requirements. The plan must describe how the

15
16

signatories will carry out, or are already engaged in, undertaking at least four of

the following six strategies in the RC:

1.Reducing tax burdens. Reducing tax rates or fees within the RC.

2.Improving local services. Increasing the efficiency of local services within

the RC (such as preschool and afterschool childcare, employment training,

transportation, and other services that help residents become self-sufficient.)

3.Reducing crime. Implementing crime reduction initiatives, including crime

prevention programs.

4.Reducing government requirements. Streamlining or removing government

regulations that apply within the RC, such as:

■ Density bonuses. Permission to develop a property at a higher density than

otherwise permitted under local zoning regulations (such as increased height

or increased number of residential or business units).

■ Incentive zoning. Provide a density bonus or other incentive to develop,

redevelop, or preserve a parcel in the designated area.

■ Comprehensive or one-stop permits. Streamline the construction or

other development permitting process. 

■ Variance and exception policies. Pass local ordinances that allow

variances or exceptions from zoning or other land use restrictions (such as

reduced parking or building setback requirements).

■ Voluntary environmental compliance program. A shared or limited environmental liability program, with limited liability from certain legal or

administrative action in exchange for undertaking an approved program of

environmental investigation, hazard control, and ongoing risk reduction.

Typically, the liability limitation is for future environmental cleanup, not

from a lawsuit for damages. The developer or property owner and the

government may share the risk of cleanup. 

5.Involving community partners. This strategy calls for involvement in economic

development activities by private businesses, organizations, and community groups,

particularly within the RC. It includes a commitment from private groups to

provide jobs and job training as well as technical or financial assistance to RC

employers, employees, and residents.

6.Soliciting in-kind donations. Local government or community partners may

donate or sell surplus properties, such as land, homes, or commercial or industrial structures, at below fair market value to neighborhood groups, community

development corporations, or private companies.

Timetable and Performance Measures 

The Course of Action must include a timetable that identifies the significant steps

and target dates for implementing the goals and actions. In addition, it must include

a description of how the designated area’s performance in carrying out the Course

of Action will be measured. 
17

S ECTION 5

Certifications and Written

Agreements 

Three certification forms must be submitted as part of the nomination process. They

address the requirements for economic condition, economic growth promotion, and

public notice and participation. 

An optional certification form addressing crime rates is a prerequisite to receiving

bonus points.

After an area is designated as a Renewal Community (RC), a form identifying the

coordinating responsible authority (CoRA) is required, and a form certifying consistency with the applicable Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan must

accompany both the preliminary and the final tax incentive utilization plans.

The officials who sign these forms must certify that each of them is a “responsible

official” for purposes of submitting the document or entering into the commitments,

followed by a warning that false claims and statements may result in criminal or

civil penalties. This certification is incorporated into the other forms contained in

this chapter.

Providing these six forms is in keeping with HUD’s objective to simplify the RC

designation process, and we have tried to make the language as concise and clear

as possible. These few agreements and certifications are central to the successful

implementation of the Renewal Community initiative. HUD is confident that the

signatories will take seriously their responsibility to carry out the commitments

specified or to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. 

This chapter provides and explains the six forms. Forms in this chapter are provided for information only. They also appear as tearouts in the appendix for your

actual use. 

Note: There are additional copies of the certifications in the appendix.

Certifications Required as Part of the Nomination

Process 

An application for designation as a Renewal Community must include three

certification forms:

■ Certification for Economic Condition Requirements.

■ Certification of Economic Growth Promotion Requirements.

■ Public Notice Certification for Application.

To receive bonus points, include a Local Crime Index Certification.
18

Responsible official. Submission of the information and commitments upon

which HUD will base the RC designations must be performed by an official or

employee authorized to act on behalf of each of the nominating governments for

that purpose.

The following language is incorporated into the forms that follow:

I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR 599.101(c), authorized to

act on behalf of each State or local government named above my signature for purposes of [either] entering into the commitments under [or] submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements. Conviction may

result in criminal and/or civil penalties. (18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31

U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Certification for Economic Condition Requirements

(24 CFR 599.105(a))

Each State and local jurisdiction in which a nominated area is located must designate

a responsible official to certify that the area meets the requirements of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress. The responsible official must sign

and submit the certifications on either the Urban or Rural version of the Renewal

Community Certification Form 1 that follows. There are two versions of the form

because rural areas must meet the requirements of unemployment and poverty, and

urban areas must meet the requirements of unemployment, poverty, and income. 

The responsible official must examine the evidence personally before signing the

certification. The evidence must be composed of two parts:

■ Urban or Rural Renewal Community Census Tract Data Form and Geographic,

Population, and Economic Condition Requirements. These forms are contained

in the appendix only. 

■ Evidence that the nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment,

and general distress. This evidence (which may be in the form of a table, narrative, or combination of both) is described in section 3.

Certifications Required After Area Is Designated as

an RC 

The following identification and certifications are required after an area is designated as an RC. 

■ Identification of the coordinating responsible authority (CoRA).

■ Certification that the preliminary tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP) is consistent with the Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan.

■ Certification that the final TIUP is consistent with the Consolidated Plan or

Indian Housing Plan.
19

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am authorized by each State or local government named

above my signature to certify in writing for HUD’s acceptance (1) that the nominated area is an area of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and (2) that

the nominated area meets the requirements of paragraphs

(b), (c), and (d) of 24 CFR 599.105. 

• The nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence.

• I personally have examined the attached evidence and I

believe the evidence is accurate.

• The unemployment rate in the nominated area taken as a

whole exceeds 9.4 percent, as demonstrated by the attached

evidence in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(b). 

• The poverty rate for each population census tract within

the nominated area is at least 20 percent, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(c).

Urban Renewal Community Certification Form 1

• At least 70 percent of the households living in the nominated

area have incomes below 80 percent of the applicable

Household Adjusted Median Family Income as determined by HUD, as demonstrated by the attached evidence

in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(d).

• Poverty is pervasive in the nominated area, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(e)(2)(i).

• Unemployment is pervasive in the nominated area, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(ii).

• There is general distress in the nominated area, as demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance with 24

CFR 599.105(e)(2)(iii).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or local

government named above my signature for purposes of

submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Certification for Economic Condition Requirements 

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
20

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban Renewal Community Certification Form 1 (continued)
21

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am authorized by each State or local government named

above my signature to certify in writing for HUD’s acceptance (1) that the nominated area is an area of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and (2) that

the nominated area meets the requirements of paragraphs

(b) and (c) of 24 CFR 599.105. 

• The nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence.

• I personally have examined the attached evidence and I

believe the evidence is accurate.

• The unemployment rate in the nominated area taken as a

whole exceeds 9.4 percent, as demonstrated by the attached

evidence in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(b).

Select only one of the next two bullets:

The nominated area is not within an Indian reservation

and the poverty rate for each population census tract

within the nominated area is at least 20 percent, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(c).

Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 1

Certification for Economic Condition Requirements 

The nominated area is within an Indian reservation

and the poverty rate of the nominated area taken as a

whole is at least 20 percent, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(c). 

• Poverty is pervasive in the nominated area, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(e)(2)(i).

• Unemployment is pervasive in the nominated area, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(ii).

• There is general distress in the nominated area, as demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance with 

24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(iii).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
22

Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 1 (continued)

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________
23

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I determined the 1999 Local Crime Index (LCI) rate per

100,000 inhabitants for the nominated area on the basis of

data from the following law enforcement authorities with

jurisdiction in the nominated area: __________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

• The LCI covers the following census tracts, which comprise the nominated area: _________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 2

• The LCI determined for the nominated area is _______

crimes per 100,000 inhabitants.

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Local Crime Index Certification—Optional Form for Bonus Points 

(24 CFR 599.107(a)(3))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this optional form for the nominated area to

receive bonus points under 24 CFR 599.303(c)(ii).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
24

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 2 (continued)
25

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• Each State or local government named above my signature

has repealed or reduced, or will not enforce, or will reduce

within the nominated area, at least four of the following

five governmental restrictions listed in IRC sec. 400E(d)(3),

for at least the period that the area is designated as a RC:

1. Licensing requirements for occupations that do not

ordinarily require a professional degree.

2. Zoning restrictions on home-based businesses that do

not create a public nuisance.

3. Permit requirements for street vendors who do not create

a public nuisance.

4. Zoning or other restrictions that impede the formation

of schools or childcare centers.

5. Franchises or other restrictions on competition for businesses providing public services, including taxicabs, jitneys,

cable television, or trash hauling.

• I understand that any designation of an area as a Renewal

Community will remain in effect during the period beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending at the earliest of

December 31, 2009; the date HUD revokes the designation;

or the following date designated in this application:

______________________________________________.

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of entering into the commitments under this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 3

Certification of Economic Growth Promotion Requirements (24 CFR 599.107(b))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this form for the nominated area to be rated and

ranked in the competition for designation of Renewal Communities (RCs). 

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
26

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 3 (continued)
27

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• The public was provided notice of, and opportunity to participate in, the application development process, in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.203(c).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR 599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or local

government named above my signature for purposes of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements. Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 4

Public Notice Certification for Application (24 CFR 599.203(c))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this form for the nominated area to be rated

and ranked in the competition for designation of the Renewal Communities. 

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
28

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 4 (continued)
29

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Identification of CoRA (24 CFR 599.505)

Instructions:

Within 30 days after designation of the RC, each State and local government in which the RC is located must execute the

declarations on this form to identify one or more entities, organizations, or persons who will act as the coordinating responsible authority for the RC. 

The CoRA for the _____________________________________________________ Renewal Community will consist of:

Urban and Rural Renewal Community 

Post-Designation Form 1

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

30

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Post-Designation Form 1 (continued)

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax______________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

The undersigned State and local governments hereby identify

the entit(ies), organization(s), or person(s) described above

as the coordinating responsible authority (CoRA) under 24

CFR 599.505. 

The CoRA has the responsibility and authority to achieve

the State and local government commitments made at the

time of application, including the Course of Action (CofA)

under 24 CFR 599.107(a) and the economic growth promotion requirements under 24 CFR 599.107(b). 

The CoRA will undertake the development and administration of policies, procedures, and activities to implement and

maximize the Federal, State, and local benefits made available

in the RC, including the tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP)

under 24 CFR 599.507. 

The undersigned State and local governments hereby designate the CoRA to submit requests and supporting evidence

to HUD under 24 CFR 599.509 when it is necessary to modify

the State and local commitments in the CofA, the economic

growth promotion requirements, or the TIUP.

The CoRA will function as the central point of contact

between HUD and the RC. This includes:

• Preparing and submitting to HUD, within 6 months

of designation of the RC, a preliminary TIUP under

24 CFR 599.507(a).

• Preparing and submitting to HUD, within 12 months 

of designation of the RC, a final TIUP under 24 CFR

599.507(b).

• Receiving and responding to HUD’s recommendations for

additional or alternate modifications or improvements to

the plans and commitments under 24 CFR 599.

• Providing the periodic reports and other information

required by HUD under 24 CFR 599.511.

• Replying within 90 days to any letter of warning issued

by HUD under 24 CFR 599.513(b).

The CoRA will ensure that the preliminary and final TIUPs

are developed with the participation of the residents and

community organizations in the RC (24 CFR 599.507(c)). 

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

(continued on next page)
31

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Post-Designation Form 1 (continued)

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________
33

The undersigned certifies in accordance with 24 CFR 599.507(d) that:

• The Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan cited above applies to the area of the Renewal Community.

Select only one of the following two bullets:

The Consolidated Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 91.

The Indian Housing Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 1000.

The undersigned further certifies that he or she is an official who is responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or

the Indian Housing Plan.

Certification That the Tax Incentive Utilization Plan Is Consistent With the

Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan (24 CFR 599.507(d))

Instructions:

When the CoRA submits the preliminary TIUP (due 6 months after designation), and again when it submits the final TIUP

(due a year after designation), it must submit this certification on this form. This form must be executed by an official who is

responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan. Frequently, the signer of this certification will be

different from the local government officials who are responsible for the application for designation of the RC. 

The preliminary or final TIUP for the ___________________________________________________ Renewal Community is

consistent with the following Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan: __________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community PostDesignation Form 2

Name of government ____________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________
35

S ECTION 6

Selection Process 

Summary of the Process 

Meeting Eligibility Requirements

Before rating and ranking an application, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) will review it to determine whether it meets the thresholds of

eligibility and adequacy of State and local commitments. These eligibility requirements are explained in detail in section 3.

HUD will notify an applicant of any threshold deficiencies in its application. The

applicant may submit additional information or take other action to correct the

deficiency until the application due date. Applications that do not meet all of

the threshold requirements by the application due date will be neither rated 

nor ranked.

Ranking Eligible Applications 

Preliminary Ranking Score

After nominated areas meet eligibility requirements and show adequate State and

local commitments, their applications will be ranked. (Rural and urban areas will

be ranked separately.) Rural nominated areas will be ranked based on poverty and

unemployment rate. Urban nominated areas will be ranked according to the above

two factors as well as the percentage of families below 80 percent of the area median

income. After the nominated areas are ranked, they also will be awarded preference

points based on the incidence of crime in the area and whether area census tracts

have been identified as distressed by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO).

They will then receive a final ranking from highest to lowest. 

Nominated areas that include one or more census tracts from areas that are

Empowerment Zones (EZs) or Enterprise Communities (ECs) will receive selection preference. After the initial ranking, both urban and rural applications will

be separated into two categories. Category 1 will consist of applications from EZs

and ECs, which will then be placed in rank order. Category 2 will consist of all

other nominated areas. Up to 20 nominated areas from Category 1 will be designated

as Renewal Communities (RCs). Although this depends on the number of rural and

urban applications received in Category 1, HUD plans to select the 12 highest-ranked

rural areas and the 8 highest-ranked urban areas as RCs. After the Category 1

nominated areas are selected, the applications in Category 2 will be ranked and

selected until 40 RCs are designated. 

Each nominated area meeting the minimum thresholds will be ranked from highest

to lowest according to:

■ Area poverty rate.

■ Area unemployment rate.
36

■ Percentage of families below 80 percent of area median income (for urban

areas only).

How Rankings Are Calculated 

The percentile rank will be determined by dividing rankings for each category

(poverty and unemployment rates and, if applicable, percentage below 80 percent

of median income) by the total number of nominated areas ranked and multiplying

the result by 100.

The average ranking will be determined by computing the simple average of the

percentile ranks for each nominated area. To create a 100-point scale, the average

rankings will be subtracted from 100.

Exhibit 1 illustrates this process for urban nominated areas, assuming 150 nominated areas being ranked.

Bonus Points 

Once a nominated area receives a preliminary ranking score, it may be awarded

bonus points based on the following factors:

■ One, two, or four points for smaller than average incidence of crime in the area

(based on 1999 statistics).

■ One point, if any census tracts in the area have been identified as distressed by GAO.

Exhibit 1. Illustrative Example: Preliminary Ranking Process for

Poverty and Unemployment

Percentile Rankings 

(100 x Absolute Rank)

Absolute Rankings (Number of Areas)

LowApplication Poverty Unemployment Mod Poverty Unemployment Mod 

Number Rate Rate Rate* Rate Rate Rate*

1 6 3 1 4.0 2.0 0.7 2.2 97.8

2 1 8 3 0.7 5.3 2.0 2.7 97.3

3 2 6 6 1.3 4.0 4.0 3.1 96.9

4 3 5 7 2.0 3.3 4.7 3.3 96.7

5 4 12 5 2.7 8.0 3.3 4.7 95.3

6 9 1 14 6.0 0.7 9.3 5.3 94.7

- - - -- - - - -

- - - -- - - - -

- - - -- - - - -

150 140 150 145 93.3 100 96.7 96.7 3.3

*Low-Mod Rate is the percentage of families below 80 percent of area median income.

Score

Average (Average

Rank Rank=100)
37

Incidence of Crime

A nominated area will receive one additional point if its 1999 Local Crime Index

(LCI) rate per 100,000 inhabitants does not exceed the 1999 Crime Index (CI) rate

per 100,000 inhabitants by more than 25 percent. 

A nominated area with an LCI that does not exceed the CI by more than 10 percent will receive two bonus points. A nominated area with an LCI that is less than

the CI will receive four bonus points. To qualify for bonus points based on the incidence of crime, all of the nominating governments must certify the accuracy of the

LCI reported for the nominated area.

LCI is determined based on data from each State and local law enforcement authority

with jurisdiction in the nominated area. CI is a set of national statistics prepared as

part of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. It is derived from the incidence

of selected offenses used to gauge fluctuations in the overall volume and rate of crime

reported to law enforcement. The offenses include murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle

theft, and arson. 

Importance of Incidence of Crime

HUD takes incidence of crime into account because it can affect business development in an area. This preference rewards jurisdictions that have managed to control crime levels. An RC located in an area that has already begun to successfully

address a high incidence of crime starts out with a more inviting business environment and is better poised to achieve success. Business owners will be less concerned about the safety of their employees, their facilities, and property. Insurance

rates for businesses in areas with lower incidences of crime are likely to be lower

and thus make the area more attractive for investment and development. 

Distressed Census Tracts

A nominated area will receive one bonus point if any of its census tracts are identified as distressed areas in GAO Report RCED–98–158R, dated May 12, 1998. The

report, titled Community Development: Identification of Economically Distressed Areas,

is available from GAO at www.gao.gov or from GAO’s Document Distribution Center

at (202) 512–6000.

Selection Preference: EZs/ECs 

The first 20 RC designations will be given to nominated areas that include one or

more census tracts from areas that are already designated as EZs or ECs, if they

meet the threshold requirements of eligibility and adequacy of local commitments.
38

Final Ranking Process 

Information on this section to be provided under separate cover.
39

S ECTION 7

Coordinating Responsible Authority

(CoRA) 

Postdesignation Requirement 

The coordinating responsible authority (CoRA) is the entity, organization, or person(s)

with the responsibility and authority to make sure that State and local commitments

made at the time of application are carried out. The CoRA will develop and administer policies, procedures, and activities to implement and maximize the Federal, State,

and local benefits made available in the Renewal Community (RC). The CoRA will

function as the central point of contact for the RC. HUD will work with each CoRA to

develop a tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP) to develop and expand businesses

in the RC through available Federal, State, and local incentives. For more information on TIUPs, see section 8.

HUD will provide technical assistance to assist the CoRA in preparing the TIUP,

which must include certification that it is consistent with the locale’s Consolidated

Plan or the Indian reservation’s Indian Housing Plan.

Timeline 

Within 30 days of RC designation, the State and local governments in which the

area is located must submit to HUD information identifying the CoRA. The RC

must develop a preliminary TIUP within 6 months and a final TIUP within 1 year

of the designation. 

Under the RC designations, it is important to undertake development activities as

early as possible. CoRAs should notify businesses that they will garner the most

benefits by taking advantage of the available incentives as early as possible. HUD

will assist CoRAs with informing the business community about available incentives.

Participation in Development of Plans 

The CoRA must ensure that the preliminary and final TIUPs are developed with

the participation of RC residents and community organizations. HUD also will

encourage other Federal agencies to work with each CoRA to further develop and

implement RC activities. 

Modification of Commitments and Plans 

The CoRA may submit requests to HUD to modify State and local commitments

made at the time of the application and the TIUPs. Requestors must provide

evidence that the proposed modifications are necessary or desirable. 
40

Within 30 days, HUD will review the proposed modifications. After review, HUD

will either approve the request, suggest additional or alternate modifications, or

deny it. 

Submission of Reports and Other Documentation 

The CoRA and the State or local governments in which the RC is located must

submit periodic reports and provide additional information, such as the TIUPs,

as required by HUD.
41

S ECTION 8

Tax Incentive Utilization Plan and

Citizen Participation Requirements

for Designated RCs 

Renewal Community Tax Incentive Utilization Plan 

The Federal tax incentives for Renewal Communities (RCs) are generally available

for 8 years. Communities should treat these incentives as assets they can use to

accomplish their goals of promoting business attraction and retention similar to

other Federal, State, and local resources and funds. To maximize use of the incentives in this relatively short timeframe, an RC will need to establish a preliminary

tax incentive utilization plan (TIUP) within 6 months of receiving designation. 

The most effective TIUPs will integrate the tax incentives with the needs identified through the development of the designee’s Course of Action and with the economic growth promotion requirements. The TIUP should identify strategies that

have the greatest potential for maximizing the use of the tax incentives. Strategies

should include marketing the tax incentives, delivering ongoing technical assistance to businesses interested in taking advantage of them, and assessing their

impact.

The TIUP should include a number of methods, both general and targeted, to promote

the use of the tax incentives. For example, general approaches might include articles about the incentives in local newspapers, community newsletters, and business

journals; inclusion of tax incentive summaries in local marketing materials for the

city, county, or RC; and forums for businesses and residents to explain the incentives and provide opportunities for questions. You also should consider how you

can target the use of the incentives in the development of a specific project or

program within the RC.

Federal incentives available for Renewal Communities include:

■ Renewal Community Wage Credit (RC Wage Credit).

■ Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

■ Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit.

■ Indian Employment Credit.

■ Increased Section 179 Deduction.

■ Commercial Revitalization Deduction.

■ Environmental Cleanup Cost Deduction.
42

■ Depreciation of Property Used on Indian Reservations.

■ Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

■ Zero Percent Rate for Capital Gains on Renewal Community Assets.

■ New Markets Tax Credit.

For more information about individual incentives, please see Tax Incentive Guide

for Businesses in the Renewal Communities, Empowerment Zones, and Enterprise

Communities. See section 12 for instructions on how to obtain this guide.

Questions for Strategizing TIUP Goals 

When developing your TIUP, consider the following questions:

■ Are there local bar associations or tax accountant associations that can provide

technical assistance, help local businesses analyze and file for the incentives,

participate in call-in assistance programs, provide anecdotal information on

the use of incentives (while recognizing that taxpayer information is not public

information), and supply data on the use of incentives from their own experience in preparing tax returns?

■ Are there local firms in the business of gathering data, conducting telephone

surveys, or managing focus groups that can assist in refining and implementing

the TIUP?

■ Are there marketing materials for State or local tax incentives (such as sales tax

relief in locally designated economic zones or wage credits for certain industry

sectors) that could be expanded and revised to include the Federal tax incentives

and a discussion of the interaction among Federal, State, and local tax incentives?

■ Are there local business mentoring programs that might provide one-on-one

guidance to small businesses about using tax incentives and testimonials on

the value of tax incentives at general marketing meetings?

■ Are there ways that local tax officials can include information on the incentives

with other information or tax returns they already mail to businesses?

■ Are there ways that local tax forms can be revised to obtain data on the use of

the Federal incentives?

■ Did the State Employment Services Agency (SESA) or local job banks have a

role in designing marketing materials and in implementing the employment tax

incentives? What data do these agencies collect that might be useful for assessing progress toward the TIUP’s employment goals?

■ What associations or organizations are likely to have contact with small businesses and how will they be included in TIUP marketing and followup?
43

Sample Strategies 

A general strategy for promoting the use of the incentives might include the

following example:

Example:

A Renewal Community sets a goal of increasing the number of RC residents

employed by local businesses in the city in which the RC is located. Using

local tax records, the RC mails a brochure to each business in the city

announcing a citywide seminar, to be cosponsored by the local chamber of

commerce. The brochure describes the availability of the RC Wage Credit

for employees who live and work in the RC and the WOTC for employees

who live in the RC but who may work outside its boundaries. The local bar

association and local accounting associations provide speakers familiar with

the tax laws and tax return preparation. The SESA sends a speaker to cover

the WOTC certification process. At the end of the session, participants are

asked to fill out a form indicating whether they believe they might be able to

use either (or both) of the wage incentives and whether they want any followup

information or technical assistance. The RC, in conjunction with a tax lawyer

and a tax accountant, makes followup calls. The following year, the RC does

a followup survey (in writing or by phone) to inventory which businesses

have used the incentives, to learn if the businesses need additional information, and to identify any barriers to using the wage credits. The city adds to

its tax forms a place for businesses to indicate whether they have used the

tax incentives, and if so, the number of employees claimed and the aggregate

amount of wage credits. 

Example:

Local businesspeople establish an investment club with the intent of providing venture capital for local businesses. An RC identifies a rundown strip

shopping mall owned by a partnership. Through the TIUP public comment

process, area residents come up with a priority list of businesses they would

like to see in the mall, including a grocery store, a childcare center, a moderately priced sitdown restaurant, a drug store, and a fitness/health club.

The RC identifies three possible Federal tax incentives to use with this

project: Zero Percent Rate for Capital Gains, Commercial Revitalization

Deduction, and the RC Wage Credit. The RC strategy includes approaching

the investment club about purchasing shares in the partnership that currently owns the shopping mall to provide a new cash infusion. The investment

group is asked to hold the partnership interest for 5 years, after which time

they could sell the shares at a profit and not be subject to capital gains

taxes. The RC works with the shopping center owner to apply for an allocation of the Commercial Revitalization Deduction amount available to the RC

to rehabilitate the shopping mall. This should help the partnership’s cash

flow by increasing the deductible amounts in early years. The owner will 

continued on page 44

A more targeted strategy might include the following example:
44

Organizing TIUP Goals 

The TIUP may include multiple goals and strategies, which could be structured

like this:

also receive assistance from the RC staff on marketing the RC Wage Credit

and WOTC as incentives for signing possible shopping mall tenants. The

RC will work with the local government to ease some of the licensing and

regulatory burdens on the childcare center. The RC knows the extent to

which the Commercial Revitalization Deduction is used, based on the 

allocation. The tenants are asked to provide information on the number of

employees for which the wage credit was taken. The investment club members will not be able to take their capital gains incentive for at least 5 years,

however, so the use of this incentive only may be estimated.

continued from page 43

GOAL: To increase the number of RC residents employed in the area.

STRATEGY: Create an aggressive and innovative approach that promotes

awareness, understanding, and use of the tax credits available in the RC.

TAX INCENTIVES: Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Renewal Community

Wage Credit.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:

• Use tax records of local businesses in the RC to generate a mailing list for

announcing a business seminar.

• Hold a seminar on wage credits that includes the coordinating responsible

authority (CoRA), the SESA, and a local tax lawyer or accountant as

speakers.

• Develop a survey to gauge initial interest and serve as a list for followup.

• Use a tax lawyer or accountant volunteer to follow up with businesses.

• Revise tax forms to collect data on Federal wage credit use.

RESOURCES LEVERAGED: Volunteer local tax lawyer or accountant;

chamber of commerce as seminar sponsor; State involvement through SESA.

TIMELINE:

• Mailing list, seminar planning, and survey development: Two months after

designation.

• Seminar: Three months after designation.

• Initial followup survey: Six months after seminar.

• Supplementary followup survey: One year after seminar.

ASSESSMENT: Determine number of persons attending seminar and 

number of lawyers and accountants participating; review followup survey

responses and reported use of incentives on tax returns.

You are not required to follow this format; you can create your

own approach. However, you will want to focus on concrete goals,

strategies, and timelines, and you need to devise methods to assess

the success of your efforts.

Tip! 

You can maximize your use of

incentives if you structure your

TIUP to identify the general and

specific strategies you intend

to pursue, how these strategies

are tied to the Course of Action,

the resources you expect to use

(State, local, nonprofit, for-profit,

community, and neighborhood), the timeline, and the

methods of collecting data or

assessing results.
45

Citizen Participation Requirements 

The quality and effectiveness of the TIUP can be enhanced through the input of

stakeholders and the public in general. RCs must document citizen participation

in the development and approval of the TIUP by indicating the date of public

notice or posting the TIUP for public comment and describing the format (such as

written comments, e-mail comments, and public meetings) for public input.
47

S ECTION 9

National Advisory Council on

Community Renewal 

The statute authorizing Renewal Communities (Public Law 106–544) calls for the

establishment of a national advisory council on community renewal. The council

will advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on the problems and

successes of the Renewal Community (RC) initiative. The seven-member advisory

council may hold hearings and obtain information from any Federal department or

agency to carry out its duties. The council will prepare annual and interim reports

on RCs for the Secretary. 
49

S ECTION 1 0

Application Checklist and Submission

Requirements: Have You Included

These Items in Your Submission?

Map of the Boundaries of the Proposed Renewal Community (RC).

Course of Action.

Certification Form 1: Certification for Economic Condition Requirements

(differs for urban and rural RCs).

Nomination forms (see appendix; differs for urban and rural RCs).

Narrative, chart(s), and/or demographic table(s) supporting certifications of

economic distress.

Certification Form 2: Local Crime Index Certification (optional; required for

bonus points).

Certification Form 3: Certification of Economic Growth Promotion

Requirements.

Certification Form 4: Public Notice Certification for Application.

Applicants are required to send an original and two copies of the 

nomination to:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Community Planning and Development

c/o Processing and Control Unit

Room 7255

451 Seventh Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20410

Mail, hand delivery, or overnight delivery are acceptable. No facsimile (Fax)

applications will be accepted for consideration by HUD.

These items are discussed in detail in sections 3, 4, and 5. Applicants also are

strongly urged to review the Designation of Round III Empowerment Zones and

Renewal Communities: Interim Rule and the Notice Inviting Applications: Designation

of Forty Renewal Communities to make sure they understand the requirements to

prepare and submit an eligible application.
Questions and Answers on the

Renewal Community Initiative 

Who is eligible to apply for a Renewal Community (RC) designation?

A nominated area must be within the jurisdiction of one or more local governments,

and the boundary of the area must be continuous. Nominated areas may be rural,

urban, or Indian reservations. 

For how long does RC designation last?

Under the CRTR Act, designations must be made before January 1, 2002, and are

effective from 2002 through 2009.

What is the difference between an Empowerment Zone (EZ) or Enterprise

Community (EC) and an RC?

All of these designations receive special Federal income tax treatment as an incentive

for businesses to locate within the areas. The RC program takes a different approach

from the EZ/EC program to promote the economic revitalization of distressed communities and to help residents gain employment and become economically self-sufficient.

Rather than providing grants or guarantees to finance development projects in distressed communities, the RC program seeks to achieve its goals through the coordinated

efforts of government at the Federal, State, and local levels to attract and encourage

business development in the designated areas. Urban EZs/ECs are designated by

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), while rural

EZs/ECs are designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All RCs, both

urban and rural, will be designated by HUD.

Can my community be both an EZ or EC and an RC?

No. An area’s designation as an EZ or EC will cease on the date it is designated

as an RC. EZ and EC communities will receive selection preference to be named

an RC.

What are the benefits of being an RC?

The government incentives provided to RCs are generally incentives of forbearance.

Business activities in the RCs will not be subject to the same levels of taxation or

regulatory restrictions that apply elsewhere. The purpose of these incentives is to

encourage business development within the RC. 

Can I leave some areas out of the nominated area?

Yes. While the boundaries of the nominated area must be continuous, you may

enclose areas that will not be included in the proposed RC. The map of a nominated area may have a “Swiss cheese” appearance.

51

S ECTION 1 1
52

What will HUD’s role be?

HUD will provide technical assistance to each coordinating responsible authority

(CoRA) to develop its tax incentive utilization plan. HUD also will encourage

other Federal agencies to work with each CoRA to further develop and implement

activities in the RC. In addition, it will assist each CoRA to inform members of

the business community about the advantages of the RC designation and how they

can become involved.

HUD also will establish an advisory council on community renewal that will

advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development about the problems and

successes of the RC initiative.

Where can I get more information?

Contact persons for State and local governments considering application for designation of an area as a Renewal Community are urged to notify HUD as soon as

possible so that HUD can advise them of new information and training opportunities.

Follow the instructions available through HUD’s web page at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec.

To obtain more copies of this guide, please call the Community Connections

Hotline at (800) 998–9999 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec.
Useful References 

For More Information 

Contact persons for State and local governments considering application for designation

of an area as a Renewal Community are urged to notify HUD as soon as possible so

that HUD can advise them of new information and training opportunities. Follow the

instructions available through HUD’s web page at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec.

To obtain more copies of this guide, please call the Community Connections

Hotline at (800) 998–9999 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec.

Web Sites 

www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec

www.comcon.org

Publications

Designation of Round III Empowerment Zones and Renewal Communities—

Interim Rule

Notice Inviting Applications: Designation of Forty Renewal Communities

Federal Programs Guide

Tax Incentive Guide for Businesses in the Renewal Communities, Empowerment

Zones, and Enterprise Communities

The above publications are available by visiting HUD’s Web site at

www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec or calling Community Connections at (800) 998–9999.

Related Laws

H.R. 5662, Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (CRTR Act) enacted as

part of Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for

Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106–554, 114 Stat. 2763), approved December 21, 2000.

53

S ECTION 1 2

Exhibit 2. Important Dates for Renewal Community Designees

Renewal Community application due date September 21, 2001

Beginning date of availability of tax

incentives in Renewal Community January 1, 2002

End date of availability of tax incentives December 31, 2009

Exhibit 3: Important Dates for RCs After Designation

Thirty days after designation Identify coordinating responsible authority

Six months after designation Submit preliminary TIUP to HUD

One year after designation Submit final TIUP to HUD
Appendix

Renewal Community

Application Forms

Extra Copies of Certifications
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Reports Management Officer, Paperwork Reduction Project, Office of Information Technology, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410–3600. This agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to

respond to, a collection of information unless that collection displays a valid OMB control number.

Do not send this form to the above address.

If there appears to be a conflict between the language in the forms in this publication and the Designation of Round III Empowerment Zones and

Renewal Communities Interim Rule, the language of the rule shall take precedence.

How to notify HUD of intent to apply:

Contact persons for State and local governments considering application for designation of an area as a Renewal 

Community are urged to notify HUD as soon as possible so that HUD can advise them of new information and training 

opportunities. Follow the instructions available through HUD’s Web page at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec.

Use of the electronic approach is recommended but not required. Contact persons also may submit their contact information

(see bottom of page A–3 or A–9) by fax to 202–401–7615 or by mail to the following address:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

John Haines

RC/EZ Team, Room 7130

451 Seventh Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20410 
A Renewal Community (RC) nominated area may be urban or rural, as long as the overall population of the nominated area is not

more than 200,000. At least 12 of the 40 available RC designations will be made for rural areas. To qualify as an urban area, the nominated

area must meet the following requirements:

1. The nominated area must have a population of not more than 200,000 and not less than 4,000 and

2. The nominated area must have any portion of its area located within a local government jurisdiction that:

(i) Has a population of 50,000 or greater and

(ii) Is located within a metropolitan area.

A nominated area may be located within one or more local government jurisdictions. The nomination must be jointly submitted by

each State and local government in which any portion of the nominated area is located. 

A local government is defined as any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose political subdivision of a

State, or any combination of these political subdivisions that is recognized by the Secretary.

Census tracts are the basic building blocks of RC nominated areas. The first step is to identify the census tracts to be included in the

nominated area. Block groups may be used instead of census tracts for Alaska and Hawaii, and block numbering areas are to be used

where census tracts are not delineated. Order census tract/block numbering area outline maps for States or metropolitan areas by

calling the U.S. Bureau of the Census at 301–457–1128.

A nominated area must have one continuous boundary, although it may enclose areas that are not included in the nomination.

Instructions for filling out the Census Tract Data Form and contact person identification

1. Fill in the county code in the column at the far left, followed by the census tract or block group number in column 1, for each

census tract or block group number contained in the nominated area. Census tracts must be used except in Alaska and Hawaii.

2. In the row immediately below each row of numerical data, identify each State and local government within whose jurisdiction

any portion of the census tract or block group is located. The application must be jointly submitted by each such government. 

3. For each census tract or block group listed, fill in columns 2 through 7 using data from the RC Area Eligibility Data File, available

at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec or by calling 800–998–9999. Use total numbers for all columns except column 3. For column 3,

use a percentage.

4. Complete and fill in the totals of columns 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

5. In the box below, identify the person to contact if HUD has questions about the information on this form.

Names of Nominating Governments Contact Person

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

Local Government(s)

State Government(s)

Name

E-Mail

Telephone

Fax

General Requirements for Urban Nominated Areas
12 3 4 5 6 7

County Census Percentage Employed Unemployed Low-Income 

Code Tract Population of Poverty Persons Persons Households Households

1.

Names of State and Local Governments

2.

Names of State and Local Governments

3.

Names of State and Local Governments

4.

Names of State and Local Governments

5.

Names of State and Local Governments

6.

Names of State and Local Governments

7.

Names of State and Local Governments

8.

Names of State and Local Governments

9.

Names of State and Local Governments

10.

Names of State and Local Governments

TOTALS

Urban Census Tract Data Form
Geographic Requirements

Attach a map showing the boundary of the 

nominated area and cite on the preceding page

the names of all nominating State and local 

governments.

● Is the outer boundary of the nominated area 

continuous?

Population Requirements

1. Is the total of column 2 at least 4,000?

2. Is the total of column 2 not more than

200,000?

3. Is the nominated area located entirely within

a single government jurisdiction?

4. If the answer to question 3 is “no,” are all the

jurisdictions named on the Census Tract

Data Form?

5. Is any portion of the nominated area within a

local government jurisdiction that has a population of 50,000 or greater and is located

within a metropolitan area?

Poverty Requirement

● In column 3, does each listed census tract

show a poverty rate of at least 20 percent?

If “no,” census tracts that do not meet the poverty rate requirement of at least 20 percent cannot

be included in the nominated area.

Unemployment Requirement

Add the total amount in column 4 to the total

amount in column 5, then divide the total of

column 5 by that total to get the unemployment

rate. Enter the result in the box at right.

● Does it exceed 9.4 percent?

If “no,” the nominated area does not meet the

unemployment requirement.

Low-Income Household Requirement

Low-income households (column 7) are defined as

households with incomes below 80 percent of the

Household Adjusted Median Family Income. Divide

the total of column 7 by the total of column 6 to get

the percentage of low-income households in the

nominated area. Enter the result in the box at right.

● Is it at least 70 percent?

If “no,” the nominated area does not meet the

low-income household requirement. 

Bonus Points

A maximum of four points is assigned for one

of three possibilities that may apply to the nominated area. Fill in only one of boxes 1 through 3

as applicable to the nominated area. The 1999

Crime Index (CI) as prepared as part of the FBI’s

Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program is

4,266.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Enter the nominated area’s 1999 Local

Crime Index Rate per 100,000 (LCI) in the

box at right.

ADD one point in the box at right if the LCI

in the nominated area does not exceed by more

than 25 percent the CI value noted above.

ADD two points in the box at right if the

nominated area’s LCI value does not exceed by

more than 10 percent the CI value noted above.

ADD four points in the box at right if the

nominated area’s LCI value is less than the CI

value noted above.

Certain census tracts: ADD one point in

the box at right if any of the nominated area

includes census tracts identified in the GAO

Report RCED–98–158R, dated May 12, 1998.

Enter the total bonus points by adding the

points in boxes 1 through 4.

Yes No Yes No

%

%

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3

Box 4

Total

Check the “yes” or “no” boxes in the sections for geographic, population, poverty, unemployment, and low-income household

requirements. Calculate percentages as instructed in the sections for unemployment and low-income household requirements.

Calculate bonus points according to the instructions for that section.

Geographic, Population, and Economic Condition

Requirements for an Urban Renewal Community

Nominated Area
A Renewal Community (RC) nominated area may be urban or rural, as long as the overall population of the nominated area is not more

than 200,000. At least 12 of the 40 available RC designations will be made for rural areas. To qualify as a rural area, the nominated

area must meet the following requirements:

1. The nominated area must have a population of not more than 200,000 and not less than 1,000 and

(i) If the nominated area is located entirely within a single local government jurisdiction, the jurisdiction must either have a 

population of less than 50,000 or be located outside a metropolitan area or

(ii) If the nominated area is located within several local jurisdictions, each jurisdiction must either have a population of less than

50,000 or must be located outside a metropolitan area or

(iii) If the nominated area does not meet the requirements of either section 1.(i) or 1.(ii) immediately above, the nominated

area must be determined by HUD on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce to be a rural area

based on information submitted in the application to demonstrate that the nominated area should be considered as a rural area.

Or

2. The nominated area must be located entirely within an Indian reservation. A nominated area that is entirely within an Indian

reservation is not subject to the population eligibility requirements.

A nominated area may be located within one or more local government jurisdictions. The nomination must be jointly submitted by

each State and local government in which any portion of the nominated area is located. For a nominated area on an Indian reservation, the reservation governing body is treated as both the State and local government and the nomination is submitted only by the

reservation governing body. 

A local government is defined as any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose political subdivision of

a State, or any combination of these political subdivisions that is recognized by the Secretary.

Census tracts are the basic building blocks of RC nominated areas. The first step is to identify the census tracts to be included in 

the nominated area. Block groups may be used instead of census tracts for Alaska and Hawaii, and block numbering areas are to be

used where census tracts are not delineated. Order census tract/block numbering area outline maps for States or metropolitan areas

by calling the U.S. Bureau of the Census at 301–457–1128.

A nominated area must have one continuous boundary, although it may enclose areas that are not included in the nomination.

Instructions for filling out the Census Tract Data Form and contact person identification

1. Fill in the county code in the column at the far left, followed by the census tract or block group number in column 1, for each

census tract or block group number contained in the nominated area. Census tracts must be used except in Alaska and Hawaii.

2. In the row immediately below each row of numerical data, identify each State and local government within whose jurisdiction

any portion of the census tract or block group is located. The application must be jointly submitted by each such government. 

3. For each census tract or block group listed, fill in columns 2 through 5 using data from the RC Area Eligibility Data File, available

at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec or by calling 800–998–9999. Use total numbers for all columns except column 3. For column 3,

use a percentage.

4. Complete and fill in the totals of columns 2, 4, and 5.

5. In the box below, identify the person to contact if HUD has questions about the information on this form.

General Requirements for Rural Nominated Areas

Names of Nominating Governments Contact Person

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

Local Government(s)

State Government(s)

Name

E-Mail

Telephone

Fax
12 3 4 5

County Census Percentage Employed Unemployed

Code Tract Population of Poverty Persons Persons 

1.

Names of State and Local Governments

2.

Names of State and Local Governments

3.

Names of State and Local Governments

4.

Names of State and Local Governments

5.

Names of State and Local Governments

6.

Names of State and Local Governments

7.

Names of State and Local Governments

8.

Names of State and Local Governments

9.

Names of State and Local Governments

10.

Names of State and Local Governments

TOTALS

Rural Census Tract Data Form
Geographic Requirements

Attach a map showing the boundary of the 

nominated area and cite on the preceding page

the names of all nominating State and local 

governments.

● Is the outer boundary of the nominated area 

continuous?

Population Requirements (Note: A nominated

area that is entirely within an Indian reservation

is not subject to population requirements.)

1. Is the nominated area entirely within an

Indian reservation?

2. Is the total of column 2 at least 1,000?

3. Is the total of column 2 not more than

200,000?

4. Is the nominated area located entirely within

a single government jurisdiction?

5. If the answer to question 4 is “no,” are all the

jurisdictions named on the Census Tract Data

Form and does each jurisdiction either have a

population of less than 50,000 or is it located

outside a metropolitan area?

6. If the answer to question 4 is “yes,” does the

jurisdiction either have a population of less

than 50,000 or is it located outside a metropolitan area?

7. If the answer to question 5 or 6 is “no,” have

you provided evidence in your application to

demonstrate that the nominated area should

be considered as a rural area?

Poverty Requirement

● In column 3, does each listed census tract

show a poverty rate of at least 20 percent?

If “no,” census tracts that do not meet the poverty

rate requirement of at least 20 percent may not be

included in the nominated area. 

Unemployment Requirement

Add the total amount in column 4 to the total

amount in column 5, then divide the total of column 5 by that total to get the unemployment

rate. Enter the result in the box at right.

● Does it exceed 9.4 percent?

If “no,” the nominated area does not meet the

unemployment requirement.

Bonus Points

A maximum of four points is assigned for one

of three possibilities that may apply to the nominated area. Fill in only one of boxes 1 through 3

as applicable to the nominated area. The 1999

Crime Index (CI) as prepared as part of the FBI’s

Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program is

4,266.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Enter the nominated area’s 1999 Local

Crime Index Rate per 100,000 (LCI) in the

box at right.

ADD one point in the box at right if the LCI

in the nominated area does not exceed by more

than 25 percent the CI value noted above.

ADD two points in the box at right if the

nominated area’s LCI value does not exceed by

more than 10 percent the CI value noted above.

ADD four points in the box at right if the

nominated area’s LCI value is less than the CI

value noted above.

Certain census tracts: ADD one point in

the box at right if any of the nominated area

includes census tracts identified in the GAO

Report RCED–98–158R, dated May 12, 1998.

Enter the total bonus points by adding the

points in boxes 1 through 4.

Yes No Yes No

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3

Box 4

Total

Check the “yes” or “no” boxes in the sections for geographic, population, poverty, and unemployment requirements. Calculate a

percentage as instructed in the section for the unemployment requirements.

Calculate bonus points according to the instructions for that section.

Geographic, Population, and Economic Condition

Requirements for a Rural Renewal Community

Nominated Area

%
Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am authorized by each State or local government named

above my signature to certify in writing for HUD’s acceptance (1) that the nominated area is an area of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and (2) that

the nominated area meets the requirements of paragraphs

(b), (c), and (d) of 24 CFR 599.105. 

• The nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence.

• I personally have examined the attached evidence and I

believe the evidence is accurate.

• The unemployment rate in the nominated area taken as a

whole exceeds 9.4 percent, as demonstrated by the attached

evidence in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(b). 

• The poverty rate for each population census tract within

the nominated area is at least 20 percent, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(c).

Urban Renewal Community Certification Form 1

• At least 70 percent of the households living in the nominated

area have incomes below 80 percent of the applicable

Household Adjusted Median Family Income as determined by HUD, as demonstrated by the attached evidence

in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(d).

• Poverty is pervasive in the nominated area, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(e)(2)(i).

• Unemployment is pervasive in the nominated area, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(ii).

• There is general distress in the nominated area, as demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance with 24

CFR 599.105(e)(2)(iii).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or local

government named above my signature for purposes of

submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Certification for Economic Condition Requirements 

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban Renewal Community Certification Form 1 (continued)
Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am authorized by each State or local government named

above my signature to certify in writing for HUD’s acceptance (1) that the nominated area is an area of pervasive

poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and (2) that

the nominated area meets the requirements of paragraphs

(b) and (c) of 24 CFR 599.105. 

• The nominated area is an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence.

• I personally have examined the attached evidence and I

believe the evidence is accurate.

• The unemployment rate in the nominated area taken as a

whole exceeds 9.4 percent, as demonstrated by the attached

evidence in accordance with 24 CFR 599.105(b).

Select only one of the next two bullets:

The nominated area is not within an Indian reservation

and the poverty rate for each population census tract

within the nominated area is at least 20 percent, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(c).

Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 1

Certification for Economic Condition Requirements 

The nominated area is within an Indian reservation

and the poverty rate of the nominated area taken as a

whole is at least 20 percent, as demonstrated by the

attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(c). 

• Poverty is pervasive in the nominated area, as demonstrated

by the attached evidence in accordance with 24 CFR

599.105(e)(2)(i).

• Unemployment is pervasive in the nominated area, as

demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(ii).

• There is general distress in the nominated area, as demonstrated by the attached evidence in accordance with 

24 CFR 599.105(e)(2)(iii).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Address (street/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP Code)____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 1 (continued)
Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I determined the 1999 Local Crime Index (LCI) rate per

100,000 inhabitants for the nominated area on the basis of

data from the following law enforcement authorities with

jurisdiction in the nominated area: __________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

• The LCI covers the following census tracts, which comprise the nominated area: _________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 2

• The LCI determined for the nominated area is _______

crimes per 100,000 inhabitants.

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Local Crime Index Certification—Optional Form for Bonus Points 

(24 CFR 599.107(a)(3))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this optional form for the nominated area to

receive bonus points under 24 CFR 599.303(c)(ii).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Name of government(s) ________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 2 (continued)
Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• Each State or local government named above my signature

has repealed or reduced, or will not enforce, or will reduce

within the nominated area, at least four of the following

five governmental restrictions listed in IRC sec. 400E(d)(3),

for at least the period that the area is designated as a RC:

1. Licensing requirements for occupations that do not

ordinarily require a professional degree.

2. Zoning restrictions on home-based businesses that do

not create a public nuisance.

3. Permit requirements for street vendors who do not create

a public nuisance.

4. Zoning or other restrictions that impede the formation

of schools or childcare centers.

5. Franchises or other restrictions on competition for businesses providing public services, including taxicabs, jitneys,

cable television, or trash hauling.

• I understand that any designation of an area as a Renewal

Community will remain in effect during the period beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending at the earliest of

December 31, 2009; the date HUD revokes the designation;

or the following date designated in this application:

______________________________________________.

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of entering into the commitments under this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 3

Certification of Economic Growth Promotion Requirements (24 CFR 599.107(b))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this form for the nominated area to be rated and

ranked in the competition for designation of Renewal Communities (RCs).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 3 (continued)
Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• The public was provided notice of, and opportunity to participate in, the application development process, in accordance

with 24 CFR 599.203(c).

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR 599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or local

government named above my signature for purposes of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements. Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification

Form 4

Public Notice Certification for Application (24 CFR 599.203(c))

Instructions:

Each nominating State and local government must execute the certifications on this form for the nominated area to be rated

and ranked in the competition for designation of the Renewal Communities. 

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Certification Form 4 (continued)
Identification of CoRA (24 CFR 599.505)

Instructions:

Within 30 days after designation of the RC, each State and local government in which the RC is located must execute the

declarations on this form to identify one or more entities, organizations, or persons who will act as the coordinating responsible authority for the RC.

The CoRA for the _____________________________________________________ Renewal Community will consist of:

Urban and Rural Renewal Community 

Post-Designation Form 1

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax ____________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of entity, organization, or person ____________________________________________________________________

Name and title of designated representative, if different ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ Fax______________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Post-Designation Form 1 (continued)

The undersigned State and local governments hereby identify

the entit(ies), organization(s), or person(s) described above

as the coordinating responsible authority (CoRA) under 24

CFR 599.505. 

The CoRA has the responsibility and authority to achieve

the State and local government commitments made at the

time of application, including the Course of Action (CofA)

under 24 CFR 599.107(a) and the economic growth promotion requirements under 24 CFR 599.107(b). 

The CoRA will undertake the development and administration of policies, procedures, and activities to implement and

maximize the Federal, State, and local benefits made available

in the RC, including the tax incentives utilization plan (TIUP)

under 24 CFR 599.507. 

The undersigned State and local governments hereby designate the CoRA to submit requests and supporting evidence

to HUD under 24 CFR 599.509 when it is necessary to modify

the State and local commitments in the CofA, the economic

growth promotion requirements, or the TIUP.

The CoRA will function as the central point of contact

between HUD and the RC. This includes:

• Preparing and submitting to HUD, within 6 months

of designation of the RC, a preliminary TIUP under

24 CFR 599.507(a).

• Preparing and submitting to HUD, within 12 months 

of designation of the RC, a final TIUP under 24 CFR

599.507(b).

• Receiving and responding to HUD’s recommendations for

additional or alternate modifications or improvements to

the plans and commitments under 24 CFR 599.

• Providing the periodic reports and other information

required by HUD under 24 CFR 599.511.

• Replying within 90 days to any letter of warning issued

by HUD under 24 CFR 599.513(b).

The CoRA will ensure that the preliminary and final TIUPs

are developed with the participation of the residents and

community organizations in the RC (24 CFR 599.507(c)). 

Each signatory hereby certifies that:

• I am a “responsible official” in accordance with 24 CFR

599.101(c), authorized to act on behalf of each State or

local government named above my signature for purposes

of submitting this document.

Warning: HUD will prosecute false claims and statements.

Conviction may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 

(18 U.S.C. 1001, 1010, 1012; 31 U.S.C. 3729, 3802).

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

(continued on the reverse side)
Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Name of government(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community Post-Designation Form 1 (continued)
The undersigned certifies in accordance with 24 CFR 599.507(d) that:

• The Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan cited above applies to the area of the Renewal Community.

Select only one of the following two bullets:

The Consolidated Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 91.

The Indian Housing Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 1000.

The undersigned further certifies that he or she is an official who is responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or

the Indian Housing Plan.

Certification That the Tax Incentive Utilization Plan Is Consistent With the

Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan (24 CFR 599.507(d))

Instructions:

When the CoRA submits the preliminary TIUP (due 6 months after designation), and again when it submits the final TIUP

(due a year after designation), it must submit this certification on this form. This form must be executed by an official who is

responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan. Frequently, the signer of this certification will be

different from the local government officials who are responsible for the application for designation of the RC. 

The preliminary or final TIUP for the ___________________________________________________ Renewal Community is

consistent with the following Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan: __________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community PostDesignation Form 2

Name of government ____________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________
The undersigned certifies in accordance with 24 CFR 599.507(d) that:

• The Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan cited above applies to the area of the Renewal Community.

Select only one of the following two bullets:

The Consolidated Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 91.

The Indian Housing Plan was prepared in accordance with 24 CFR part 1000.

The undersigned further certifies that he or she is an official who is responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or

the Indian Housing Plan.

Certification That the Tax Incentive Utilization Plan Is Consistent With the

Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan (24 CFR 599.507(d))

Instructions:

When the CoRA submits the preliminary TIUP (due 6 months after designation), and again when it submits the final TIUP

(due a year after designation), it must submit this certification on this form. This form must be executed by an official who is

responsible for the content of the Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan. Frequently, the signer of this certification will be

different from the local government officials who are responsible for the application for designation of the RC. 

The preliminary or final TIUP for the ___________________________________________________ Renewal Community is

consistent with the following Consolidated Plan or Indian Housing Plan: __________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Urban and Rural Renewal Community PostDesignation Form 2

Name of government ____________________________________________________________________________________

Printed name and title __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______________________
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING

AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT