Community Development Block Grants The State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is intended to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, expanding economic opportunities and creating suitable living environments - primarily for low/moderate income persons (those earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Each year the State of Rhode Island receives a formula allocation of CDBG funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be distributed to eligible Rhode Island communities. The CDBG program is governed by regulations of 24 CFR Part 570. Under these guidelines, the State manages the program for those 33 Rhode Island municipalities which do not receive an allocation directly from HUD. The Cities of Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick and Woonsocket are "Entitlements" and operate their own programs independent of the State effort. By regulation, the State may only distribute funds to units of general local government. These communities may, however, distribute funds to non-profit and other entities to undertake eligible activities. Organizations interested in applying for CDBG funds should contact municipal CDBG Administrators or planning departments to learn about local priorities and application procedures. Funds received (approx. $4-$5 Million annually) are distributed using a competitive application process. Communities submit applications containing a number of activities which are reviewed by a funding committee in accordance with program regulations/policies. This committee drafts recommendations to the Governor who typically announces awards July-September of each year. Awards are activity specific. While the program supports a myriad of activities including housing, economic development, facilities/improvements, services and planning - the program's priorities are housing, economic development and neighborhood revitalization. Revitalization is a targeting of resources on a designated, distressed, predominately low- and moderate- income neighborhood. All activities must meet a national objective, the primary of which is predominate benefit to low- and moderate- income persons. Click here learn about the CDBG Disaster Recovery program CDBG Management and Guidance The HUD guides listed below are recommended reading for all municipal CDBG program administrators and their subrecipients. Guide to National Objectives and Eligible Activities for the State CDBG Program Playing By the Rules Handbook for Subrecipients on Administrative Systems "Basically CDBG" Training Manual General Program Information Rhode Island PY'22 Annual Action Plan, July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 2020-2024 Rhode Island Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development 2020 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Rhode Island PY'20 Annual Action Plan, July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 CDBG PY’19 Calendar Rhode Island Citizen Participation Plan Rhode Island PY’19 Annual Action Plan, July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, as amended CDBG Appendix ESG Appendix HOME and HTF Appendices 2015-2019 Rhode Island Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development HUD Income Limits - Please Note: CDBG Program uses 80% limit HUD Fair Market Rents HUD/LMISD (Low/Moderate Income Summary Data) Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 Training Materials CDBG Workshop Presentation – October 2019 Lead-Based Paint Training - May 2019 Residential Rehabilitation Training National Objective Training Environmental Troubleshooting Training Presentation by HUD OIG Officer – January 16, 2012 Application Workshop Presentation, March 2016 Application Information Applications will now be accepted through eCivis portal only eCIVIS Helpful Tips PY 2022 Competitive Application PY 2022 CDBG Application Workshop PY 2022 CDBG Application Handbook Application Frequently Asked Questions Competitive Application Deadline – 3 PM on July 13, 2023 Communities are required to hold public hearing(s) associated with the application. The two-month application timeline should allow municipalities sufficient time for necessary consultation/meetings. Staff Review & Committee Meetings - Thru August 2023 Tentative Awards Approved & Announced – September 30, 2023 At award announcement, communities will complete necessary environmental reviews. Contract agreements will be returned simultaneously with ROF (Release of Funds). Under federal program regulations, only municipalities are eligible CDBG applicants. Only applications with complete Municipal Application Cover Forms will be considered. PY’2019 CDBG Action Plan/Method of Distribution PY’ 20/21 funds will be distributed in accordance with the method of distribution outlined in the Annual Action Plans. Rhode Island’s PY’ 20/21 CDBG allocation is $5,414,189. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Affordable Housing applications for PY22 will be accepted on a rolling basis. Rolling applications will be suspended during the competitive application period from 7/13/2023 through 9/30/2023. Applications will now be accepted through eCivis portal only. HOUSING REHABILITATION: Housing rehab applications for PY22 will be accepted on a rolling basis. Rolling applications will be suspended during the competitive application period from 7/13/2023 through 9/30/2023. CDBG Housing Rehab Program Guidance Applications will now be accepted through eCivis portal only. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Economic development applications for PY22 will be accepted on a rolling basis. Rolling applications will be suspended during the competitive application period from 7/13/2023 through 9/30/2023. Applications will now be accepted through eCivis portal only. Job training is generally considered a public service activity under CDBG Program regulations. Therefore, job training applications should be submitted via the PY’22 CDBG Competitive Application Form. Environmental Review Materials All CDBG-funded activities, including local administration, are subject to the environmental review process. An environmental review using HUD forms (see links below) must be performed before “undertaking any physical activities or choice limiting actions.” Refer to Rhode Island’s Environmental Review Guidance for step-by-step instructions on conducting a HUD environmental review. For information on “choice limiting actions” refer to the Environmental Troubleshooting Training Powerpoint (available under Training Materials). 24 CFR Part 58 – Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities Environmental Checklist for Exempt/CENST Projects Environmental Checklist for Categorically Excluded Projects subject to 58.5 Environmental Assessment Checklist Sample Floodplain, Wetlands Notices (Early and Final) Sample Notice of Intent to Request the Release of Funds (NOI/RROF) Sample Combined Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and NOI/RROF Request for Release of Funds and Certification (HUD Form 7015.15) HUD Environmental Review Website HUD environmental review flow chart HUD Floodplain Management/8-step Process Website Floodplain/Wetlands 8-step Process Flowchart CRMC Consistency Determination Request Template (Coastal Zone Management) Tribal Consultation Checklist Drawdown and Reporting Forms CDBG Payment Coversheet, fillable PDF format CDBG Payment Request Form Semi-Annual Labor Standards Enforcement Report, HUD Form 4710 and Instructions for 4710 Quarterly Reporting Form Section 3 Summary Report form HUD-60002 Close Out Report Form PY’22 Award drawdowns and reporting will occur in the eCivis portal. Procurement, Contracting, & Construction Management: Boilerplate Federal Contract Provisions for contracts less than $100,000 Boilerplate Federal Contract Provisions for contracts exceeding $100,000 Federal Non-Construction Contract Provisions Cover memo listing required Federal Contract Provisions Contractors Guide to Prevailing Wage Requirements Federal Certified Payroll Form "Making Davis Bacon Work" Guide (Including Project Wage Rate Sheet) HUD Handbook 1344.1: Federal Labor Standards Compliance in HCD Programs Labor Standards Compliance for Working Subcontractors (HUD Guidance) HUD Office of Davis-Bacon and Labor Standards Employee Interview Form HUD-11 Federal Labor Standards Provisions form HUD-4010 Link to Prevailing Wage Determinations HUD Website - Section 3 System for Awards Management website, Debarred Contractor inquires Construction Site Davis Bacon Poster