Application | CORES

Notice: In anticipation of CORES 2.0 coming in 2027, organizations initiating their CORES application by submitting a pre-screen after October 15, 2026, are subject to revised submission requirements and an expedited application submission process. In addition, no new pre-screens will be accepted in the current CORES application platform on or after December 1, 2026, until CORES 2.0 is launched in January 2027. Read more here. Direct questions can be sent to [email protected].

The certification program is designed to identify owner-operators of multifamily affordable properties and service organizations working in multifamily affordable properties that provide resident services provision in line with a robust coordination system.

A resident services coordination system refers to all functions tied to the organizational mission to implement resident services in affordable rental housing properties, including corporate and site-based staff, funding, technology systems, services and programs, research and evaluation, organizational knowledge, and the tools necessary to support resident services.

CORES-certified Organizations are required to re-certify every 5 years to maintain their certification to ensure the organization continues to meet CORES requirements, and is maintaining a robust and strategic approach to resident services coordination. This also recognizes that the resident services field is constantly evolving and that an organization's portfolio, business model, infrastructure, and practices will evolve over five years.

To be eligible for CORES Certification, an organization must fit one of the following models for providing resident services coordination and this system must be scaled at multiple multifamily properties:

[Owner-Operator] Direct Model – Affordable housing owners/organizations that retain direct responsibility for the management, delivery, and implementation of resident services coordination at their own properties. Frontline, property-based resident services staff are employees of the owner/organization.

[Owner-Operator] Hybrid Model – Affordable housing owners/organizations that contract with an unrelated third-party entity (either a property management company or another services organization) to staff the on-site, property-based resident services coordinators/staff, but otherwise retain leadership, management, and support capacity for resident services coordination at their properties.

Third-Party Resident Services Coordination Contractor Model – An owner of affordable housing may contract with an external (third-party) organization to provide all aspects of resident services coordination. This includes the management, delivery, and implementation of Resident Services Coordination at the property level and corporate/regional levels. An organization that falls into this model may provide third-party services for one owner or for multiple owners.

Current Threshold Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be changes to the following threshold requirements under CORES 2.0, which launches in January, 2027. For more information on CORES 2.0 requirements and criteria, view this overview.

Before applying, please review the current CORES Certification threshold requirements and watch our introductory CORES 101 training video (required before submitting Pre-Screen). For an organization to qualify for the CORES certification, it must be able to meet these threshold requirements and obtain a minimum application score. Please note that there will be changes to these requirements and guidance under CORES 2.0, which launches in January, 2027.

We also recommend watching this training video which reviews the four documents that are required for the CORES application and that we get the most questions on. This provides a more in-depth look at the Community Scan, Resident Opportunities and Priorities Assessment, Property Services Plan, and Resident Indicators and Analysis Report.

While an organization does not need to offer resident services coordination or have resident services staff at ALL properties within their portfolio, it must currently be able to demonstrate that the required infrastructure and implementation of a system of resident services coordination has been in place at multiple properties within their portfolio for a minimum of three years.

Current CORES Application Timeline:

Important Deadlines:

In anticipation of CORES 2.0 coming in 2027, organizations initiating their CORES application by submitting a pre-screen are currently subject to revised submission requirements and an expedited application submission process.

Applicants with approved pre-screens between October 16th, 2026 - November 30th, 2026 are required to submit a complete, full CORES application by December 31st, 2026. If an applicant with an approved pre-screen is unable to submit a complete application by December 31st, 2026, they will need to reapply in the new CORES 2.0 platform.

No new pre-screens will be accepted in the current CORES application platform on or after December 1, 2026, until CORES 2.0 is launched in January 2027. Read more here.

Pre-Screen Survey:

Between October 16th and November 30th, 2026, applicants may continue to initiate new applications by submitting a pre-screen for review and approval in the current CORES application platform.

When an organization is ready to begin the CORES application process, the applicant will be required to create an account and complete the pre-screen survey to ensure the organization meets the current eligibility requirements for certification.

Please reach out to [email protected] for the invitation link to the pre-screen survey.

The applicant will receive an email within 3-5 business days of completing the pre-screen survey notifying them if their pre-screen has been approved.

Applicants with an approved pre-screen are required to submit a complete, full CORES application by December 31st, 2026.

Complete Application:

Once the pre-screen is approved, the applicant will receive an invoice by email for the current $5,500 CORES application fee. After the fee payment is received, the applicant will receive an email granting full access to complete the CORES application. Please note that CORES will be implementing a modest increase to the application fee (the first increase since the program launched) with the launch of CORES 2.0. This increase (from $5,500 to $6,000) supports technical assistance provided to applicants, the robust application review process, and an improved, user-friendly application platform.

The current application is approximately 50 questions – drop down; select all; text boxes; and specified attachments, which must be uploaded. The applicant can save their work within the portal and access it later. At any time, the applicant can download a PDF version of the application answers. We strongly recommend that the organization keep a downloaded, updated record of their application questions for their files.

For an organization to qualify for the certification, it must obtain a minimum score on the application questions. If an organization is unable to answer the threshold questions or provide the required supporting documents, the organization will NOT qualify for CORES certification.

CORES Review and Certification Determination:

Please note: The information below is for the CURRENT application scoring process and may be adjusted with the launch of CORES 2.0. More information on CORES 2.0 can be found here.

Once an application is fully complete (and does not require additional updates for staff scoring and peer review to be completed), it is expected that the review process will take up to six weeks. This projected timeline may be impacted during periods of increased application volume.

All questions are currently scored on either a 0/1 or 0/1/2 point scale. To obtain full CORES certification, an organization must score points on ALL threshold questions AND get a required minimum score on all other sections (as applicable to its service delivery model) AND currently score a minimum of 40 points across all the categories using the applicable rubric.

Two CORES reviewers will score the application independently, develop a written analysis of the certification application, and provide a recommendation for either approval or denial to a three-member Peer Review Committee, who will make the final determination.

The members of the CORES Peer Review Committee and the CORES Advisory Committee are made up of representatives from different organizations and agencies including practitioners, funders, intermediaries, trainers, and consultants within the affordable housing and resident services fields.

The Peer Review Committee reviews the application and the CORES reviewers' recommendation and makes a final determination to either approve or deny the application. The applicant will receive an email letter notifying them of the final certification determination.

Applicants will receive a summary analysis of their application once the review process is complete. If the certification is denied and after reviewing their summary analysis, the organization believes that their application has been evaluated incorrectly (and that there was no misinterpretation of the requirements or questions), it can provide the documentation for an appeal. The documentation for appeal should provide detailed evidence on the specific criteria that the organization is contending. This appeal will be reviewed by the full Peer Review Committee.

Current Application Materials:

- Download a copy of the DIRECT MODEL Certification Questions (updated 1.20.23) -- (EXCEL PDF or WORD DOC)

- Download a copy of the HYBRID MODEL Certification Questions (updated 1.20.23) -- (EXCEL PDF or WORD DOC)

- Download a copy of the THIRD PARTY MODEL Certification Questions (updated 2.14.23) -- (EXCEL PDF or WORD DOC)

- Download a copy of the RUBRIC SUMMARY (PDF)

- Download the CORES Portal Guidance (PDF) for step-by step instructions on how to navigate the CORES application process (please download to your local computer and open on desktop to view accompanying video clips)

For CORES 2.0 Application Materials and Guidance, visit this page. CORES 2.0 will launch in January, 2027.

CORES-Certified Organizations are required to re-certify every 5 years to maintain their certification.

The purpose of Recertification is:
* To ensure the certified organization continues to meet CORES requirements and is maintaining a robust and strategic approach to resident services coordination.
* To recognize that the resident services field is constantly evolving and that an organization's portfolio, business model, infrastructure, and practices will evolve over five years.

Current Threshold Requirements

Organizations with Recertification Application Submissions due in 2026:

Organizations with recertification submission deadlines in 2026 should move forward in the current CORES application platform and under the current application guidance and requirements.

Before applying for recertification, review the current CORES Recertification Eligibility Requirements (which includes ADDITIONAL minimum scoring requirements and an ADDITIONAL threshold requirement) and watch our CORES Recertification training video. For an organization to qualify for the CORES recertification, it must be able to meet these threshold requirements, minimum requirements and obtain a minimum application score.

Organizations with Recertification Application Submissions due in 2027, onward:

In 2027 and onward, certified organizations are expected to submit to recertify under the updated CORES 2.0 application requirements and criteria. Please find the updated questions here.

Certified organizations will have plenty of time in advance to work on and submit the application in the updated CORES 2.0 portal and will receive guidance by email regarding any changes to their application timeline, if applicable.

CORES will host a CORES 2.0 overview webinar, regular office hours, and provide additional guidance on the updated application process and requirements for CORES 2.0 in November 2026. Additional guidance will be issued as the CORES 2.0 launch date approaches.

Application Process

Organizations with Recertification Application Submissions due in 2026:

To get started on the application, please complete the recertification pre-screen survey through the link below. Please make sure to use the same login credentials that you used to complete your initial CORES application. If you are having trouble logging in using these credentials, please contact us at [email protected].

Please make sure to use Chrome when completing your application. Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox do not support this application well and you may have technical challenges.

Direct & Hybrid Model recertification: Start Your Application!
Third-Party Model recertification: Start Your Application!

Organizations with Recertification Application Submissions due in 2027, onward:

CORES will provide additional guidance on accessing the new CORES 2.0 application portal and downloading any of your current application data from the current application portal in the coming months. Your organization will have plenty of time in advance to work on and submit your application in the updated CORES 2.0 portal.

Recertification Application Timeline Guidance

Please note: The information below is for the CURRENT application process and may be adjusted with the launch of CORES 2.0. More information on CORES 2.0 can be found here.

Review the Recertification Application Timeline Guidance for further information on submission guidance, deadlines and requirements to maintain CORES certification. If you are already CORES certified, your certification expiration date was included in the original certification email notification and letter that you received from CORES staff.

Pre-Recertification and Pre-Screen Survey:

Submission Deadline: The recertification pre-screen survey is due 12 weeks prior to your certification expiration date, but can be initiated as early as six months prior to your certification expiration date.

When an organization is ready to begin the CORES recertification application process, the applicant will be required to complete the recertification pre-screen survey (through the links above) to ensure the organization meets the eligibility requirements for recertification (Please Note: There will be changes to these requirements under CORES 2.0. Read more about CORES 2.0 requirements and criteria here). The recertification application will be submitted through the separate recertification portal. The recertification application is connected to the same portal system as initial certification, and applicants should use the same login information as when they first certified. The applicant will receive an email within 3-5 business days of completing the recertification pre-screen survey notifying them if their pre-screen has been approved.

Note: Organizations with Provisional Certification will be required to apply for Full Certification prior to their three-year expiration date. Provisionally certified organizations will be required to complete the initial CORES application, rather than the Recertification application.

All applicants should review their initial application and any feedback they received well in advance of beginning the recertification process.

Complete Recertification Application:

Submission Deadline: The complete recertification application is due 6 weeks prior to your certification expiration date. However, we recommend that you submit your application for recertification at least 8 weeks in advance of your certification expiration date in case there is a need for updates to your application.

Once the pre-screen is approved, the applicant will receive an invoice by email for the current $5,500 CORES recertification application fee. After the fee payment is received, the applicant will receive an email granting full access to complete the recertification application. Please note that CORES will be implementing a modest increase to the application fee (the first increase since the program launched) with the launch of CORES 2.0. This increase (from $5,500 to $6,000) supports technical assistance provided to applicants, the robust application review process, and an improved, user-friendly application platform.

The organization will be asked to answer a similar set of questions as the initial certification, with some questions removed where additional information is not required to recertify. For many questions, applicants will be asked to update their answers from the initial certification to reflect on any changes in their approach, infrastructure, and/or changes in industry standards in the last five years. For additional clarification, there may be some updated wording on several questions that were included in the initial application.

There will be several NEW questions that explore the organization’s evolution to meet some of the changing resident services needs and best practices in the field (i.e., use of virtual services/staffing, new trainings and staff capacities etc.). There will also be ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS in addition to the threshold requirements that were required at initial certification.

CORES Review and Certification Determination:

The recertification application review and approval process remains the same as initial certification for organizations recertifying in 2026. Please note: the current application process and may be adjusted with the launch of CORES 2.0. More information on CORES 2.0 can be found here.

Current Recertification Application Materials:

- Download a copy of the DIRECT MODEL Recertification Questions (updated 3.6.25) -- (EXCEL PDF) or (WORD DOC)

- Download a copy of the HYBRID MODEL Recertification Questions (updated 3.6.25) -- (EXCEL PDF) or (WORD DOC)

- Download a copy of the THIRD PARTY MODEL Recertification Questions (updated 3.6.25) -- (EXCEL PDF) or (WORD DOC)

- CORES Recertification Portal Guidance -- Review slides #17-35 in the Recertification Overview for guidance on navigating the CORES portal

For CORES 2.0 Recertification Application Materials and Guidance, visit this page. CORES 2.0 will launch in January, 2027.

Questions?

CORES staff developed the recertification process with the input of existing CORES certified organizations. If you have questions or feedback on the Recertification process, please contact us at: [email protected]