Roswell Accepts CDBG Applications

Roswell is currently accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the 2013 Program Year. 

The city estimates that its allocation amount from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be $417,613 and has allocated $160,000 of that amount to the competitive grant application process. Applications are due Aug. 17 by 4 p.m.

The goal of Roswell’s CDBG program is to benefit low- and moderate-income persons or limited clientele (as defined by HUD) by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment as well as expanding economic opportunities for low-income persons. Eligible activities range from housing rehabilitation to public services as well as economic development and infrastructure projects.

Project requests must meet one of the following national objectives as specified by HUD:

1. Primarily benefit low-income persons;
2. Be of an urgent and otherwise non-fundable need;
3. Address slum/blight. 

Additionally, the Roswell Mayor and City Council identified and prioritized specific objectives to assist its low to moderate income and special needs population and all project requests are encouraged to address at least one of those needs which are as follows: 

1. Neighborhood revitalization activities;
2. Community economic development activities;
3. Public facilities improvement activities. 

The prioritized city objectives are not mandatory, but extra points will be given for project requests that meet those needs. This year the city is also encouraging an optional funding match for project requests.  The match is not a requirement, but preferred, and project requests that include matching funds will be given extra points.

All applicants are required to submit one original and four copies of their completed applications to: The City of Roswell Administration Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite 115, Roswell, GA 30075. Three-ring binders are acceptable, but spiral binding is not. After all applications are received, the reviewing board will score and recommend projects to the Mayor and City Council for approval on September 24. If approved, the projects will then be included in the city’s 2013 Annual Action Plan which will be submitted to HUD by November 15. Once the city’s Annual Action Plan is approved and Congress appropriates the CDBG funding, HUD will issue an award letter notifying the city of its approved funds, and then the city will issue the sub-recipients a notice to proceed. The expected arrival of this notification will be between January and April of 2013.

The city will be conducting a CDBG Application Workshop on Wednesday, July 25 at 9 a.m. to answer any questions about the application process.

For more information about the scoring system that will be used as well as program objectives and eligible activities, please see the city of Roswell’s CDBG Application Guidebook located on the City’s Grant’s Division website.  If you have any questions or comments about the CDBG application process and will not be able to attend the workshop, please contact Charles Alford, Grants Specialist for the City of Roswell, at 770-641-3847, calford@roswellgov.com.