The NYS Office of Community Renewal has released details on the expanded Community Development Block Grant program. With funding provided through the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), this program has approximately $60 million in funding available to communities to prepare, prevent, and/or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for funding, available to units of local governments, are now being accepted and awarded on a rolling basis through August 27th, 2021.

Individual awards will range between $100,000 and $2,000,000 based on the applicant and proposed activities associated. Eligible activities under this program will fall into one of the following categories:
·        Small Business Assistance
·        Public Facilities / Infrastructure
·        Housing Improvements
·        Public Services
·        Special Projects (Critical needs projects that fall outside of above activities but still meet HUD’s National Objectives)

There are several key differences in this program and traditional CDBG funding:
·        Project proposals must be directly connected to COVID-19
·        Funds under this program are available to both non-entitlement and entitlement communities
·        12-month contract requirement, stressing the critical importance of project readiness
·        Pre-award costs are eligible for funding

The application process for this funding is also distinct from previous CDBG applications. The first step in the process is to submit a Project Consultation Form. This form will provide OCR the opportunity to assess the project eligibility and alignment with HUD national objectives. OCR staff will then review, share feedback with the applicant, and then invite the applicant to submit a full application.

G/FLRPC will provide a full comprehensive summary of the program in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Please click on the image for more information.