Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. DECENT HOUSING ‐ including: o Assisting homeless personsto obtain affordable housing; o Assisting persons at risk of becoming homeless; o Retaining the affordable housing stock; o Increasing the availability of affordable permanent housing in standard condition to low‐income and moderate‐income families, particularly to members of disadvantaged minorities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion,sex, national origin, familialstatus, or disability; o Increasing the supply of supportive housing which includes structural features and services to enable persons with special needs (including persons with HIV/AIDS) to live in dignity and independence; and o Providing affordable housing that is accessible to job opportunities. 2. SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT – including: o Improving the safety and livability of neighborhoods; o Eliminating blighting influences and the deterioration of property and facilities; o Increasing accessto quality public and private facilities and services; o Reducing the isolation of income groups within areasthrough spatial deconcentration of housing opportunitiesfor lower income persons and the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods; o Restoring and preserving properties ofspecial historic, architectural, or aesthetic value; and o Conserving energy resources and use of renewable energy sources. 3. EXPANDEDECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES – including: o Job creation and retention; o Establishment,stabilization and expansion ofsmall businesses(including micro‐ businesses); o The provision of public services concerned with employment; o The provision of jobs to low‐income personsliving in areas affected by those programs and activities, or jobs resulting from carrying out activities under programs covered by the plan; o Availability of mortgage financing for low‐income persons at reasonable rates using non‐ discriminatory lending practices; o Accessto capital and credit for development activitiesthat promote the long‐term economic and social viability of the community; and o Empowerment and self‐sufficiency for low‐income personsto reduce generational poverty in federally assisted housing and public housing.