The application will be reviewed for completion and then scored by staff at CORES.  Once scored, staff will create an application summary memo that will include: the scoring rubric, application summary, and provide either an approval or denial recommendation to a Peer Review Committee. All applications and application summary memos will get a secondary review by another CORES staff member. This recommendation will be reviewed by a second staff member for concurrence and then will be sent to a Peer Review Committee which will make final determination on CORES application approval or denial.

Yes, an organization applies once and if approved, the CORES certification is applicable across the entire portfolio and is inclusive of family, senior and supportive housing communities.

An Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from different organizations and agencies including practitioners, funders, intermediaries, trainers, and consultants within the affordable housing and resident services fields, will be formed to provide feedback on the certification process, its effectiveness, and any additional resources needed. Members of this group will also be asked to serve, on a rotating basis, on an ad hoc Peer Review Committee to review and provide final approval for certifications.

The CORES certification is managed by Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF).

All CORES applications are first reviewed by at least two CORES staff and then advance for review by an external Peer Review Committee. Each committee of three reviewers is pulled from a larger pool of Peer Reviewers who all have expertise in resident services and affordable housing. This committee will make the final determination for each application.

Once an application if fully complete, it is expected that the review process will take four to six weeks. This projected timeline may be impacted during periods of increased application volume.

All applicants may request a summary analysis of their application once the review process is complete. If the organization has been denied certification, it may request a summary analysis and scoring of its application. After reviewing that analysis, if the organization determines it has been evaluated incorrectly (and that there was no misinterpretation of the requirements or questions), it can provide the necessary documentation for an appeal.  The documentation should provide detailed evidence on the specific criteria that the organization is contending. This appeal will be reviewed by the full Peer Review Committee Pool.

The CORES certification lasts five years. After five years, the organization must apply to be re-certified. Additional information can be found here.

All questions are 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 score a minimum of 40 points across all the categories.

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• An organization must fit one of the approved resident services coordination models (Direct Resident Services Coordination Model, Hybrid Resident Services Coordination Model, or Third Party Resident Services Coordination Model)  and this model must be scaled at multiple properties.

  Application Question # 1 (Direct, Hybrid, and Third Party Model Applicants)
  
  Please Note: If interested in seeking certification under both the Direct and Third Party models, please contact CORES for more information about the Streamlined Third Party application option. This would be made available after an organization has been certified under the Direct model.

• An organization must have experience in providing Resident Services Coordination for a minimum of three years.
  Application Question # 2 (Direct, Hybrid, and Third Party Model Applicants)
• For Third Party Model applicants: An organization must have a formalized contract in place with the owner of a property where it is operating.
  Application Question # 5 (Third Party Model Applicants)
   

• An organization must provide regional/corporate oversight and management of the property-based resident services coordination and implementation.
  Application Question #4 (Direct Model Applicants)  or #4 and 6 (Hybrid Model Applicant) or #8 and 9 (Third Party Model Applicant)

• An organization must provide and oversee resident services coordination and have Resident Services Coordination staff (either hired directly or through a third-party contractor) on-site at more than one affordable housing property. Organizations will be asked to describe the typical roles and responsibilities of the on-site coordinator. Application Question #13 (Direct Model Applicant) or #15 (Hybrid Model Applicant) or #18 (Third Party Model Applicant)
  Required Attachment: Job Description/Scope of Work

• As part of its resident services coordination process, an organization must utilize or complete a community scan prior to the delivery of services and programs.
  Certification Application Question # 21 (Direct Model Applicant) or #22 (Hybrid Model Applicant) or #26 (Third Party Model Applicant)
  Required Attachment: Example Community Scan)
   

• As a part of its resident services coordination process, an organization must perform resident opportunities & priorities assessments at properties prior to delivery of services and programs.
  Certification Application Question # 23 (Direct Model Applicant) or #24 (Hybrid Model Applicant) or #28 (Third Party Model Applicant)
  Required Attachment: Example Resident Opportunities & Priorities Assessment Report - this should be for the same property as the Example Community Scan                                                                                                                         

• As a part of its resident services coordination process, an organization must utilize the information gathered through the community scan and resident opportunities & priorities assessment to design its property services plans. 
  Certification Application Question # 25 (Direct Model Applicant) or #26 (Hybrid Model Applicant) or #29 (Third Party Model Applicant)
  Required Attachment: Example Property Services Plan – this should be for the same property as the example Opportunities & Priorities Assessment and the example Community Scan)

• An organization must describe the actions it takes to address a situation when there is low participation in a resident services program/activity offered at its properties. This should include how the organization analyzes why there is low participation and what the response is.
  Certification Application Question # 37(Direct Model Applicant) or #39 (Hybrid Model Applicant )or #43 (Third Party Model Applicant)

• At a property level, an organization must track, analyze, and report the indicators resulting from its resident services efforts.
  Certification Application Question # 43 (Direct Model Applicant) or #45 (Hybrid Model Applicant)  or #48 (Third Party Model Applicant)
  Required Attachment: Resident Indicators & Analysis Report for a Single Property)

If an organization meets most of the requirements listed above, but is unable to meet ALL of the requirements listed, the organization MAY qualify for a Provisional CORES Certification. Please contact CORES staff for more information.

An application for CORES Certification may be submitted by an organization in advance of loan application or at the same time.

An organization seeking financing through Fannie Mae’s Healthy Housing Rewards™ initiative must also submit an ERS Property Certification Application in connection with its loan application. Owners should consult with their Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing DUS™ lender for further guidance.

Listen to the components of an ERS proposal, ERS reporting requirements, the ERS reporting cycle, and underwriting resident services expenses by visiting the CORES YouTube playlist, Applying for Fannie Mae Healthy Housing Rewards™ Enhanced Resident Services (ERS) Financing.

You can also listen to the full webinar to learn more about Fannie Mae's Healthy Housing Rewards - Enhanced Resident Services (ERS) program, the requirements for qualifying for ERS financing, the ERS Property-level certification, and the annual reporting requirements for the ERS program.

2022 Webinar Recording and Webinar Slides

Learn more about Fannie Mae's investment in the social determinants of health through the Healthy Housing Rewards Initiative. Fannie Mae discusses the initiative as a part of the National Housing Conference's Restoring Neighborhoods webinar series.

The CORES certification application prompts the applicant to submit several documents throughout the application process. These documents provide the reviewer with relevant information to support the resident services coordination model being narratively described in the applicant’s text answers.  The items with an asterisk are required documents. Applicants will not be able to submit their application without attaching these documents. While the other documents are not required in order to submit the application, the applicant may lose potential points if they are unable to provide these documents.

• Organizational Chart*
• Protocols for Storing Resident Data Electronically
• Resident Services Coordinator Job Description*
• Organizational Goals, Theory of Change, or Logic Model
• Example Completed Community Scan* from within the last six years
• Example Completed Resident Opportunities & Priorities Assessment Report* from within the last three years
• Example Property Services Plan* from within the last three years
• Example MOU/Service Agreement with External Service Partner (if relevant) that was executed/renewed within the last three years
• Example Resident Indicators and Analysis Report (Single Property) * from within the last three years
• Example Impact Analysis/Report (multiple properties)
• Example Contract between Third Party Resident Services Organization and Property Owner*  (For Third Party Model Applicants ONLY)

Please Note: The example Community Scan, Resident Opportunities & Priorities Assessment Report, Property Services Plan, and Resident Indicators & Analysis Report (single property) should all be for the same property.

Check out this webinar video which reviews the four documents required for a CORES application that we get the most questions on. This provides a more in-depth look at the Community Scan, Resident Opportunities and Priorities Assessment (formerly called the Resident Opportunities & Needs Assessment), Property Services Plan, and Resident Indicators and Analysis Report.

For detailed information on how to apply for CORES and a description of the application process, see our Step by Step Guide. 

No, the CORES certification will apply to all types of service-enriched housing. Applying organizations only need to submit one application for certification, even if they provide resident services coordination at a variety of property types.

Fannie Mae’s Healthy Housing Rewards - Enhanced Resident Services (ERS) program provides financing incentives for properties where an owner has committed to providing a robust system of resident services coordination either through its own CORES-certified resident services infrastructure or through a CORES-certified third party. As part of the ERS proposal, applicants are asked to provide information about the property, the surrounding community (neighborhood amenities and data), resident demographics (if available), a proposed property-level resident services staffing model (and any virtual supports that may be part of this), a description of how resident services and property management will interact and collaborate, a description of any co-located programs or existing partnership that may be leveraged, and a proposed budget.  

For the staffing model -- CORES has identified a target of a minimum of 1 FTE:150 households for ERS financed properties. This ratio was developed in recognition of existing industry resident services staffing standards (i.e. HUD guidance (p.16) calls for a minimum ratio of 1 FTE:50-100 residents in their Multifamily Housing Program (assisting seniors and persons with disabilities) and Corporation for Supportive Housing has identified a minimum staffing ratio of 1 FTE:10-25 Residents in Permanent Supportive Housing models. The ERS target ratio of 1 FTE to 150 households recognizes that ERS financed properties serve a range of populations with varying levels of need, but still ensures a robust level of service coordination support for residents. 

The evaluation of ERS staffing plans takes into account (1) # of hours of property level staff and # of hours of virtual support, (2) # hours/level of support to the property from regional/corporate offices , (3) whether or not there are co-located programs/partners and/or existing partners that operate onsite regularly (such as an partner operating an afterschool program, dining program, or a health clinic), and (4) identification of populations that may require higher levels of engagement (based on community level data and/or property level data provided). 

Only CORES reviewers will have access to the materials submitted for certification through the CORES application. If the applicant indicates its intention to also apply for the Fannie Mae Healthy Housing Rewards™ - Enhanced Resident Services (ERS) financing incentives, SAHF will share the applicant's name with Fannie Mae. If the applicant qualifies for and receives Fannie Mae ERS incentives, then information provided by the applicant will become available to Fannie Mae.

The non-refundable application fee for CORES certification is $5,500. If certified, this fee covers the five-year CORES certification. Payment will be required before the application can be submitted for review. Credit card payments/Paypal account payments via PayPal is the preferred forms of payments.

*Streamlined* Third-Party Resident Services Coordination Certification -- This option has been developed for organizations that operate under a Direct Model, but have also developed a business of providing Third Party Resident Services Coordination services to other owners. This pathway allows applicants to use portions of their first application under the Direct model (where questions/answers are applicable) in their Third Party Model application. The cost for this second application is $2,750. To qualify for this option, an organization must first successfully apply for CORES under the Direct model. Once the applicant has been certified under the Direct model, they can seek Third-Party Certification through a streamlined application. In interested in this pathway, please contact CORES staff for more information.

Please note: Currently, Fannie Mae will reimburse the initial CORES certification fee ($5,500) to certified owners/sponsors (Direct and Hybrid model organizations) who are participating in their Healthy Housing Rewards - Enhanced Resident Services ™ (ERS) program. There are additional fees for submitting a Healthy Housing Rewards - Enhanced Resident Services Property Certification Application.

The certification program is designed to identify owners 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.

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 properties:

Direct Model – Affordable housing owners/organizations that retain direct responsibility for the management, delivery, and implementation of Resident Service Coordination at their own properties. Organizations are not required to provide resident services coordination at all their properties.

Hybrid Model – Affordable rental housing owners/organizations that contract with an un-related 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 – 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. I this case, the third party organization would be certified (and not the owner of the affordable housing).

*Streamlined* Third-Party Resident Services Coordination Contractor--  This option has been developed for organizations that operate under a Direct Model, but have also developed a business of providing Third Party Resident Services Coordination services to other owners. This pathway allows applicants to use portions of their application under the Direct model (where questions/answers are applicable) in their Third Party Model application. To qualify for this option, an organization must first successfully apply for CORES under the Direct model. Once the applicant has been certified under the Direct model, they can seek Third-Party Certification through a streamlined application. If interested in this pathway, please contact CORES staff for more information.

To be eligible for CORES, an organization does not need to offer a CORES-level of resident services coordination or have resident services staff at ALL properties within their portfolio.  However, the organization must be able to demonstrate that this CORES-level of infrastructure and implementation is in place at multiple properties within their portfolio -- that resident services is a part of the organization's mission and business model. Please see eligibility requirements for additional information.

In situations where an organization is denied CORES certification, the organization will receive a copy of the scoring analysis with comments and recommendations. This will address the elements in an organization’s resident services coordination program that do not meet the requirements for CORES certification. The organization will have the opportunity to address these areas in its program model and reapply again after 12 months.

If the organization believes its application was not reviewed or scored accurately, the organization may appeal the decision.

The CORES certification is designed for affordable housing owners/organizations that provide resident services in line with a robust coordination system.

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

To be eligible, an organization does not need to offer a CORES-level of resident services coordination or have resident services staff at all properties within their portfolio, but the organization must be able to demonstrate this level of infrastructure and implementation is in place at multiple properties -- that resident services is a part of the organization's mission and business model. In addition, the organization must meet the threshold requirements.