24-4

The program provides federal funding for a variety of community-based projects. Local governments in non-metropolitan areas can apply for grant funding to revitalize their community through sidewalk improvements, demolition, rehabilitation of publicly-owned commercial or industrial property, non-residential historic preservation and renovation or conversion of a closed building.

Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974; 20 ILCS 605/605-915; 20 ILCS 605/605-945; 20 ILCS 605/605-950

N/A

Title 47, Section 110

Community improvements that eliminate conditions that are detrimental to safety, health and welfare while stimulating economic growth and improving quality of life.

Yes

Program-Specific Terms and requirements can be found at 24 CFR Part 570, 2 CFR 200 and program information at https://dceo.illinois.gov/communitydevelopment.html

Government Organizations;

Only units of general local government (i.e., cities, villages, townships and counties) may apply for funding. County and township applicants should not include areas that are incorporated within a city or village. Incorporated areas must apply on their own behalf. With the exception of the Demolition activity, and only to the extent allowed by remaining Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus funds, projects must be located within the jurisdiction of a local government that does not receive a direct allocation of CDBG “entitlement” funds. Applicant projects must meet one or more CDBG National Objectives as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Persons residing within the project area.

Project Grants

Economic Development

The project must be for the benefit of and completed by the local government. Grant funds or project oversight cannot be passed to a subrecipient. The local government must have control of the property through ownership, long-term lease (minimum 15 year lease), or a firm option to buy if grant is awarded, in which case purchase must be completed prior to grant execution. If necessary, local government must have Private Property Easements 100% signed. Grantees must follow local code enforcement procedures. This often requires: • Written Consent: If leasing the property, obtaining a voluntary agreement from the private property owner. • Legal Orders: Obtaining a court-ordered demolition if the property is a public nuisance and the owner does not consent. • Substandard Proof: Documenting through an official inspection that the structure is vacant and dilapidated according to local building codes. Project conditions must not include any of the following: • Except for demolition, located in a FEMA-floodway. • Has IEPA or USEPA listed site contamination other than asbestos and lead. Applications must provide written evidence that necessary, additional funding for the project is firmly committed. Projects must meet an appropriate National Objective as outlined below: • Benefiting low-to-moderate income persons; or • Aiding in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or • Meeting other community development needs that pose a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community (also known as Urgent Need).

Applicants must provide the opportunity for citizen participation through the HUD-mandated process, including a public hearing and public comment period, prior to submission of the application.

All original Application Forms and Materials as shown in the Guidebook must be utilized. The Guidebook and Application is available online at: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityDevelopment/Pages/default.aspx All Letters, Notices, Resolutions, Agreements or other communication provided by the unit of local government as part of the application must be of the exact verbiage contained in the Guidebook, be on the applicant community’s official letterhead and have original signatures where required. All application forms and certifications requiring signature must be signed by the Chief Elected Official of the applicant community, unless otherwise noted. A standard application package must be submitted to and reviewed by DCEO. Each package must contain the following items: 1. Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. 2. Uniform Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. 3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure 4. Mandatory Disclosures 5. Letter of Transmittal 6. Project Summary 7. Project Readiness Summary 8. Project Maps 9. Engineer’s Cost Estimate. 10. Fair Housing Resolution NO ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS OF ANY KIND WILL BE ALLOWED!

N/A

The screening and review process for the program is designed to ensure that limited CDBG funds are awarded to communities that demonstrate the need for financial assistance and have a well-designed project. The actual number and types of awards will be subject to funding availability and the amount of each applicant's request. The Department will review all applications as follows: • Applications will be evaluated according to the Scoring Criteria described in the NOFO and Guidebook. • The maximum score is 55 points. Applications must reach a minimum score of 35 in order to qualify for funding. • Applications will be funded based on first-received, and then first-qualified. • Until all CDBG-CV funds are exhausted, qualified Demolition activity grants will be funded with CDBG-CV funds. • The Department reserves the right to perform a site visit. All recommendations are forwarded to the Director of the Department who makes the final funding decisions. All decisions will be based on the general distribution of funds in Section I of the CDBG Guidebook.

Rolling Application/As Needed Basis

60-90 days

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days from the date of the denial letter. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/meritappreview.html

No

Cost sharing is not required, however up to 5 points may be added to the score when communities contribute other funding toward the completion of the proposed project

All grant funds must relate to one of the following HUD-defined activity codes: 03L Sidewalk Improvements for sidewalk improvements or “Streetscapes”, including the installation of trash receptacles, trees, benches and lighting. Regulation Citation 570.201(c) 04 Demolition activities that involve the clearance or demolition of buildings and improvements. Regulation Citation 570.201(d) and not in furtherance of redevelopment. Demolition must meet the environmental definition of Exempt-ER, box 10. The Demolition activity will be funded with Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds until those funds are exhausted, followed by funding through the annual allocation. Demolition is the only activity available to Entitlement Communities, and only until funding set aside for Entitlement Communities is expended. 14E Rehabilitation of Publicly Owned Commercial/Industrial rehabilitation limited to improvements to the exterior of a commercial building, generally referred to as “Façade Improvements” Regulation Citation 570.202 16B Non-residential Historic Preservation rehabilitation or renovation of a non-residential historic building Regulation Citation 570.202(d) 17C Renovation/Conversion of a Closed Building rehabilitation of a commercial/industrial building for conversion from one use to another Regulation Citation 570.203(a) Activity Delivery: Includes such costs as (but are not limited to) salaries, travel costs, services performed under third party contracts, including legal and audit services, environmental record review preparation, additional fidelity bonding costs or other services required for the delivery of grant activities.

Quarterly Reporting using PPR and PFR; Notice of Contract Award; Section 3 Report

N/A

N/A

875-42075-4900-1000 CDBG PROGRAM ADMIN, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GRANTS

Planned for (2025) $5,404,353; and (2026) $7,595,647

Minimum Grant Award: $250,000 Grant Ceiling: up to $2 million depending on project

Revitalization activities that meet a HUD defined National Objective

https://dceo.illinois.gov/communitydevelopment.html

Statewide in local governments that do not receive direct entitlement funding from HUD (with the exception of Demolition and only to the extent remaining CDBG-CV funds are available).

555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704

https://dceo.illinois.gov/communitydevelopment.html

Community Development Block Grants Housing Rehabilitation Program, Community Development Block Grants Public Infrastructure Program

Examples of how funding could be used: Demolition of a former nursing home next to a hospital, allowing for a health and fitness park. Renovation of a historic, former train station into a community center. Creation of a downtown streetscape to make it ADA friendly. Conversion of a closed school into affordable apartments. Façade improvements to arrest deterioration of historic buildings.

None

FY 2023 : $17,500,000
FY 2024 : $19,500,000
FY 2025 : $5,404,353
FY 2026 : $7,595,647