The Needs Score for areas in Arkansas range from 0 to 100, with a median score of 0.90. ADFA has determined a minimum Needs Score of 1.0 to indicate the areas of greatest need. Using LISC's Needs Score by U.S. Postal Service zip code area, ADFA has established the following as areas of greatest need (“Priority Areas”), translated into priority points:

A table of the zip codes that are located in the areas of greatest need (“Priority Areas”) along with their corresponding Need Score is included below.

In addition, ADFA has designated additional areas of need, translated into additional priority points as indicated next, to be those 15 counties in Arkansas, identified by HUD, with the highest number of foreclosures (“Priority Counties”).

Acquisitions financed with NSP grant funds are subject to the URA, and its implementing regulations at 49 CFR Part 24, and the requirements set forth in the NSP Notice that was published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2008. HUD anticipates that most of these transactions will qualify as voluntary acquisitions under the applicable regulations of 49 CFR 24.101(b). The URA regulations do not specifically require appraisals in connection with voluntary acquisitions under 49 CFR 24.101(b). However, the NSP Notice requires appraisals to be performed with respect to the NSP funded acquisition of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties, even though they may be considered voluntary under the URA. In those cases, the URA appraisal requirements of 49 CFR 24.103 must be met. The following guidance on appraisals pertains to acquisitions of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties which meet the applicable voluntary acquisition requirements of 49 CFR 24.101(b) and reflects applicable URA requirements and the NSP requirements, including the URA appraisal requirements of 49 CFR 24.103.