Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Has the meaning given by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Final Rule at 24 CFR 5.152.

Applicant. Any person, private for-profit or non-profit organization, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth which submits to the Department any application, contract, request, or plan for Financial Assistance from the Department which the Undersecretary is not obliged by law to fund.

Clearinghouse. Any individual, organization, or agency established for, among other reasons, the purpose of furthering fair housing opportunities.

Commission. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).

Department. The Department of Housing and Community Development.

Financial Assistance. Any of the following, to the extent such assistance is provided on a discretionary basis by or on behalf of DHCD:

1. (a) Any grant, loan or advance of state or federal funds;
2. (b) Any grant or donation of state or federal property or interest in property;
3. (c) Any state or federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance, such as the allocation of federal or state tax credits, tax-exempt bond authority, or loan guarantees; and/or
4. (d) The sale, lease, or licensing of state or federal property, both real and personal, or any interest in such property, at a price below the current market value of such property interest.

LHA. A Local Housing Authority as established under M.G.L. c. 121B or comparable legislation.

Racial/Ethnic Minority Group Member. (1) A person who is of one or more of the following groups, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau:

1. (a) American Indian or Alaska Native;
2. (b) Asian;
3. (c) Black or African American;
4. (d) Hispanic or Latino;
5. (e) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; or

1. (2) Cape Verdean, Eskimo, Aleut, or any other racial/ethnic minority designation pursuant to applicable executive order or law.

Political Subdivisions. Any unit of local government, city, town, county, or subdivision thereof; instrumentality of the Commonwealth; or any other government entity, including authorities.

Supplier Diversity Business Enterprise. A business enterprise defined under current state law or by policy of the Operational Services Division for purposes of the Supplier Diversity Program, including Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, Service-disabled Veteran-owned Business Enterprises, Veteran-owned Business Enterprises, Disability-owned Business Enterprises, and LGBT-owned Business Enterprises.

Undersecretary. The Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development.