As you know, affordable housing is one of the most pressing needs in our communities. Rising rents, limited availability, and financial stress keep families from securing stable homes. At Navigate, we believe affordable housing must be more than an idea—it must be a reality.
One tool helping residents participate in that reality is the HUD Tenant Empowerment Grant Program, which supports stronger voices for tenants in affordable housing.
Why Affordable Housing Matters
Affordable housing provides stability that families and seniors depend on. It keeps people connected to schools, jobs, and healthcare. Without it, households face impossible trade-offs—spending too much on rent and too little on other essentials.
Affordable Housing Challenges
The challenges are significant:
- Rising Costs: Rental prices grow faster than wages.
- Supply Gaps: Demand for affordable homes far outpaces construction.
- Policy Barriers: Local restrictions often slow or block new housing.
These hurdles leave many renters feeling powerless.
HUD Tenant Empowerment Grants: Giving Residents a Voice
The HUD Tenant Empowerment Grants (TEG) provide funding for tenant organizations in HUD-assisted properties. These grants strengthen resident voices, improve participation in housing decisions, and encourage collaboration with owners and managers.
Through tenant empowerment grants, residents gain tools to:
- Organize tenant associations.
- Participate in property planning and decision-making.
- Advocate for safe, well-maintained housing.
This empowerment ensures that affordable housing is not only available but also responsive to the needs of the people who live there.
Tenant Education and Outreach (TEO) Program: Expanding Capacity
In September 2024, HUD awarded $10 million to launch the Tenant Education and Outreach (TEO) Program. This funding expands education and outreach opportunities for low-income residents in homes supported by the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program.
The program strengthens tenant voices by:
- Supporting tenant organizers and associations through training and technical assistance.
- Providing legal services to help tenants establish and operate organizations.
- Building capacity to enable residents to engage more effectively with property managers and owners.
Sub-Awards and Tenant Support
One of the most impactful features of the TEO Program is its sub-award structure.
- Funding: Sub-awards of up to $300,000 are available, with a performance period of 36 months.
- Eligibility: Sub-applicants must be tenant organizations or community-based nonprofits. They are required to notify residents and secure a majority endorsement from occupied units before applying.
- Application Elements: Draft operational plans and budgets should outline eligible activities such as regular tenant meetings, resolving property condition concerns, creating resident committees, and formalizing tenant organizations.
Eligible and Reimbursable Costs
TEO funds are flexible, allowing organizations to cover practical needs, including:
- Resident Board Stipends: $200 per month for tenant leaders performing official roles (e.g., organizing meetings, conducting surveys, maintaining minutes, or representing the group).
- Resident Outreach Coordinators: Tenant residents may serve in this role to build capacity, though they cannot be elected officials of the tenant organization.
- Operational Costs: Office supplies, laptops/tablets, cell phones with data plans, translation/interpretation services, meeting space, child or elder care during meetings, and refreshments.
- Training & Legal Support: Technical assistance, training for tenant leaders, and legal services to help establish and manage tenant organizations (excluding evictions or rental assistance hearings).
How Navigate Is Driving Change
At Navigate, we believe in our mission of ensuring fair and equal access to housing in safe, healthy, revitalized communities.
In addition, we:
- Serve as a PBCA for HUD Section 8 programs.
- Administer CDBG grants with municipalities.
- Provide Navigate Gives Back grants to nonprofits addressing housing issues.
Together, these initiatives move the needle toward stronger housing systems.
For more about our work, visit our Community Development page.
The Path Ahead
Affordable housing is more than shelter—it’s an opportunity. If you have questions about the TEO program, contact the agency at TEO@hud.gov.
