1. (a)

   1. (1) Various obstacles to addressing the targeted ELI veterans population exist across Arkansas.
   2. (2) In the rural counties, transportation is a major issue.
   3. (3) The shortage of affordable permanent housing, job loss, unemployment, lack of education, and the lack of affordable healthcare are all barriers to the ELI population to access affordable housing.

2. (b)

   1. (1) It will be very challenging for developments to be successful in reaching specific ELI populations, areas of extremely high ELI households and remain economically feasible for thirty (30) years.

   2. (2) Arkansas Development Finance Authority will work with every applicant and respective stakeholder (mental health and physical health service providers, veterans advocates and groups, nonprofits, and local governments) to be proactive toward:

      1. (A) Providing additional funding sources and incentives as available;
      2. (B) Helping to remove regulatory and discriminatory barriers; and
      3. (C) Seeking experienced development partners to assist in creating housing solutions for Arkansas veterans.
   3. (3) The authority’s multi-family and HOME Investment Partnerships Program underwriters are open to calls to assist with the application, and the authority’s compliance department holds regular technical assistance trainings.

Codification Notes: "ELI" means extremely low-income.