Section 498-46-2 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSA.HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAMThe Housing Assistance Grant (HA) Program provides funding to address housing problems of low-and moderate-income persons. Housing Assistance Program (HA) funds will be distributed through an annual grant application selection process.
1.Eligibility Requirements for Housing Assistance Applications: Communities must have an identified multi-family project with a developer approved by OCD.2.Eligible Activities: Eligible HA activities are rehabilitation of occupied or vacant multi-family housing units and conversion of non-residential structures.3. Matching Funds: Applicants for housing activities must provide a cash match of at least 20% of the total HA project cost.4.Maximum HA Grant Amount: $1,000,0005.Maximum Administrative Costs: The HA Program may allow expenditures for general and/or rehabilitation administration. The total general and rehabilitation administration expenditures may notexceed 15% of the grant amount. Please refer to OCD Policy Statement #2 for more information regarding CDBG administrative costs.6.Selection Process: The selection process for all HA applications will consist of two stages: (a) Stage 1: Letter of Intent: All communities wishing to submit a HA application must submit a Letter of Intent. After review for completeness and eligibility, units of general local government may be invited to make a full application. Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
(b) Stage 2: Application: The maximum length of an application is four pages (not counting required attachments). Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates. Members of the Review Team will assign a Review Point Total for each application reviewed. Review Point Totals will consist of the sum of the three scoring areas below and be determined by the total of each sub-scoring area. A maximum of 100 points is obtainable.
Impact (40 points):
A description of the specific housing problems to be addressed with HA funds - 15 points How the problems were identified - 10 points How these issues affect LMI persons in the community or region - 15 points Development Strategy (40 points):
A description of the plan proposed to implement the housing project - 20 points Summary of the activities and use of HA funds - 20 points Citizen Participation (20 points):
How overall citizen participation process directly relates to identification of solution strategies and application development - 4 points Effective use of any media (newspapers, radio, TV, etc.) to further public awareness and participation - 4 points Relevance of listed meeting/hearing activities/comments (not counting required public hearing) on application and project development - 4 points Involvement of potential LMI project beneficiaries in development of the application and project and how the required public hearing relates to the application development and citizen participation process - 4 points How other local resources (cash and in-kind) are directly related to the project and the establishment of a cash value equivalent for all in-kind commitments - 4 points 11.Final Application Score - Each application will receive a Final Application Score assigned by members of the Review Team. The top scoring applicants will be considered for an invitation to proceed to the Project Development Phase as funds allow.B.HOME REPAIR NETWORK PROGRAM The Home Repair Network Program (HRN) provides funding statewide to address housing problems of low- and moderate-income persons. This program will provide housing rehabilitation services administered on a regional basis throughout Maine, as stated below. 1.Special Threshold Criteria and Certifications: HRN Program funds will be distributed through a set aside of CDBG funds provided to the City of Rockland as the lead community. The lead community will establish a legally binding contract with each of the participating Maine Community Action Agencies (or other approved entity) to provide Housing Rehabilitation Services in the region. Participation in the HRN delivery system is subject to the approval of the Director of the OCD.2.Eligible Activities: Eligible activities under the HRN Program are rehabilitation of occupied or vacant single-family or multi-family housing units, demolition, same site replacement housing, provision of potable water and sewer, energy conservation, removal/mitigation of lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, or other hazardous material, removal of architectural barriers and the Critical Access Ramp Program (via Alpha One).3.Housing units ineligible for Home Repair Network assistance: Housing units located in communities that have current CDBG Housing Rehabilitation programs or the entitlement communities of Auburn, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Portland and all of Cumberland County with the exception of Brunswick and Frye Island are not eligible for financial assistance under the HRN program.4.Maximum HRN Grant Amount: $1,700,000. Allocations to each of the established regions will be determined by the Office of Community Development.5.Maximum Administrative Costs: The HRN Program allows expenditures for general and rehabilitation administration. The total general and rehabilitation administration expenditures may not exceed 20% of the grant amount. The City of Rockland is allowed a maximum of $5,000 in administrative funding.6. Section 8 Housing Quality Standards: All units assisted or created with HRN funds will strive to meet HUD Section 8 Minimum Housing Quality Standards if possible. This does not apply to projects undertaken to correct specific emergency health and safety issues only, i.e. wells, septic, heating units, removal of hazardous materials, energy conservation etc. In addition, all units must comply with other applicable standards included in the HRN contract.C.PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAMLetters of Intent will be accepted for the 2018 and 2019 Program Years. The communities invited to submit applications in 2018 may potentially be funded in 2018, or 2019.
The Public Infrastructure Grant (PI) Program provides gap funding for local infrastructure activities, which are part of a community development strategy leading to future public and private investments.
1.Eligible Activities: Eligible activities in the PI Program are construction, acquisition, reconstruction, installation, relocation assistance associated with public infrastructure, and public infrastructure limited to supporting construction of fully-funded affordable LMI housing; eligible planning activities necessary to complete the Project Development Phase.2.Exclusions: See Section 1H(1) (2).3.Match: All communities applying for PI funds must certify that they will provide a cash match of at least 25 percent of the total grant award. This match may consist of all non-CDBG loans, grants etc. contributed to the project.4.Program Activities: Applicants may apply for one or more activities within a specific activity group. Applicants cannot mix activities from different activity groups in an application. Activity Group Numbers:
1) Water system installation/improvements, sewer system installation/improvements, water/sewer system hookups, stormdrainage, utility infrastructure, dams with the main purpose of providing the primary water storage facility for an active water district or municipal system. Maximum Amount: $1,000,000
2) Infrastructure in support of new LMI affordable fully financed housing. Maximum Amount: $1,000,000
5.Funding Restrictions: PI funds may not be used to assist infrastructure for the purpose of job creation/retention. Job creation/ retention infrastructure activities are eligible in the Economic Development Program. With the exception of proposals for infrastructure in support of new housing construction and sewer/water system hookups, no housing activities may be assisted with PI funds.6.Demonstration of National Objective: Applicants must demonstrate that the project meets the National Objective of benefiting 51% or greater low/moderate income persons via Census information, or a certified target area survey.7.Selection Process: The selection process for all PI applications will consist of two stages: (a) Stage 1: Letter of Intent and Verification of CDBG National Objective: All communities wishing to submit a PI application must submit a Letter of Intent and Verification of CDBG National Objective to OCD. After review for completeness and eligibility, units of general local governments may be invited to make a full application. Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
(b) Stage 2: Application: Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
Each application will be rated in relation to all others in a two-stage process. Members of the Review Team will assign a Review Point Total for each application reviewed. Review Point Totals will consist of the sum of the three scoring areas below and be determined by the total of each sub-scoring area.
Impact (40 points):
A description of why the project is necessary, previous efforts to address needs, and how the project was prioritized locally - 6 points What engineering firms and/or regulatory agencies have verified the infrastructure problems, and what studies and testing have been done that corroborate the need - 6 points How the verified health, safety and welfare conditions affect users and others in the community and region - 8 points Size and demographic makeup of user base and target area of projected infrastructure project -10 points Why PI funds are necessary to fill a funding gap, what other state and/or federal agency funding is involved, capacity of the utility or town to borrow, and how match funds will work with PI funds to implement the project - 10 points Development Strategy (40 points):
A description of the proposed infrastructure improvements, including size, capacity, design, utilities and fit with existing systems - 10 points Positive impacts on health, safety and welfare of users directly attributable to proposed PI expenditures - 5 points Extent of financial benefits to users; list current user rates, what rates will be if PI funding is approved, and list what user rates will be if the project is built without PI funding - 15 points Project timeline: list tasks necessary to begin implementation. Identify work already completed, such as engineering, design and final commitment of other funds. Identify when remaining tasks will be completed. Estimate a project completion date and describe why project timeline is feasible - 10 points Citizen Participation (20 points):
How overall citizen participation process directly relates to identification of solution strategies and application development - 4 points Effective use of any media (newspapers, radio, TV, etc.) to further public awareness and participation - 4 points Relevance of listed meeting/hearing activities/comments (not counting required public hearing) on application and project development - 4 points Involvement of potential LMI project beneficiaries in to the application development and citizen participation process - 4 points How other local resources (cash and in-kind) are directly related to the project and the establishment of a cash value equivalent for all in-kind commitments - 4 points development of the application and project and how the required public hearing relates 8.Final Score Each application will receive a Final Application Score assigned by members of the Review Team. The top scoring applicants will be considered for an invitation to proceed to the Project Development Phase as funds allow.D.DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM The Downtown Revitalization Grant (DR) Program provides funds to communities to implement comprehensive, integrated, and innovative solutions to the problems facing their downtown districts. These community revitalization projects must be part of a strategy that targets downtown service and business districts and will lead to future public and private investment. Qualified applicant communities must have a downtown district meeting the definition in 30-A M.R.S.A. Section4301(5-A). 1.Eligible activities - include all those eligible under the Public Facilities, Public Infrastructure, Housing Assistance or Micro Enterprise Assistance programs as relevant to the revitalization of a downtown district; and eligible planning activities necessary to complete the Project Development Phase.2.Exclusions: See Section 1H(4) (5).3.Match - All communities applying for DR Program funds must certify that they will provide a minimum cash match equivalent to 25 percent of the total grant award. This minimum 25% match must consist of private sector investments directly related to the project. Any additional project funding over the minimum 25% may come from any source public and/or private. All match must be fully committed at time of application.4.Planning Requirements: Applicants must have completed a comprehensive downtown revitalization planning process within the past five years. Communities with plans older than five years must demonstrate that their plans are under active implementation, the action plan remains valid, or have been updated within the past 5 years. The proposed DR activities must be in the plan as recommended actions necessary for downtown revitalization.5.Maximum DR Award: $300,0006.Bonus Points for Applicants with Maine Downtown Center Designation: Applicants will receive three bonus points if they have been designated as a Main Street Maine Community by the Maine Downtown Center, or one bonus point if they have been designated as a Maine Downtown Network Community.7.Demonstration of National Objective: Applicants must demonstrate that the project meets the National Objective of 1) benefiting 51% or greater low/moderate income persons or 2) preventing or eliminating slum or blighting conditions. Census information, a certified town-wide income survey, or an officially adopted declaration of slum/blight conditions conforming to the requirements of Title 30-A M.R.S.A §5202 and HUD must be submitted to OCD. These demonstrations must be made as part of theLetter of Intent and Verification of CDBG National Objective submitted to OCD.8.Selection Process - The selection process will consist of two stages (a) Stage 1: Letter of Intent and Verification of CDBG National Objective:
All communities wishing to submit a DR application must submit a Letter of Intent. After review for completeness and eligibility, units of general local governments may be invited to make a full application. Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
(b)Stage 2:Application: The maximum length of an application is six pages, not counting required attachments.
Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
Each application will be rated in relation to all others. Members of the Review Team will assign a Review Point Total for each application reviewed. Review Point Totals will consist of the sum of the three scoring areas below and be determined by the total of each sub-scoring area.
Impact (40 points):
Describe the scope and magnitude of the problems you seek to address, and how they are obstacles for revitalizing the downtown. - 8 points Explain how these problems negatively impact the viability of existing downtown businesses, or new development and expansion. - 12 points Demonstrate how the problems affect LMI persons, or how they contribute to slum/blight conditions. - 8 points Explain why DR funds are necessary for the project, and describe what efforts have been made and where you have searched to secure other grant or loan funds, - 12 points Development of Strategy (40 points):
Clearly link the proposed DR activities to action steps outlined in your community's Downtown Plan, and explain how the project will stimulate economic activity in the downtown. - 12 points List the specific activities to be addressed in this downtown revitalization effort, and identify the tasks to be undertaken with DR funds and the activities to be undertaken with each other source of funds. - 12 points Define how the proposed DR activities provide a solution to the problems and assist in improving the area's viability, and how the activities will have a positive impact on LMI persons, or on alleviation of the slum/blight conditions. - 8 points Describe the capacity and experience of the administrator who will be implementing the project, describe the engineering and design work completed to date, provide a project timeline, and explain how DR funds will be expended in a timely manner. - 8 points Citizen Participation (20 points):
Effective use of media (newspapers, radio, TV, webetc.) to further public awareness and participation. - 4 points Relevance of listed meeting/hearing comments (not counting required public hearing) and the overall citizen participation process in application and project development. - 4 points Involvement of downtown and local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, development groups or other business related organizations in identification of problems and development of the application and project. - 4 points Involvement of potential LMI project beneficiaries in development of the application and project, and how the required public hearing relates to the application development and citizen participation process. - 4 points How other local resources (cash and in-kind) are directly related to the project, and the establishment of a cash value equivalent for all in-kind commitments. - 4 points Maine Downtown Center Designation Bonus - 3 bonus points will be assigned to each applicant community designated as a Main Street Maine Community by the Maine Downtown Center, and a 1 bonus point will be awarded to those communities designated as a member of the Maine Downtown Network.
Business Friendly Community Designation Bonus - 3 bonus points will be assigned to each applicant community certified as a Business-Friendly Community at time of application.
9.Final Application Score -Each application will receive a Final Application Score assigned by members of the Review Team plus any applicable Maine Downtown Center Bonus. The top scoring applicants will be considered for an invitation to proceed to the Project Development Phase as funds allow.E.PUBLIC SERVICE GRANT PROGRAMThe Public Service Grant (PSG) Program addresses community and business resource needs by providing funding for operating expenses, equipment, and program materials for activities which will benefit low/moderate income (LMI) persons.
1.Eligible Activities: Eligible activities include but are not limited to, operating and program material expenses for the purpose of providing workforce training and skills development, child care, health care, recreation programs, education programs, public safety services, fair housing activities, senior citizen services, homeless services, drug abuse/mental health counseling and treatment.2.Project Benefit: Eligible PSG projects must provide benefits to one of the groups of persons listed below and be in support of an identified business or non-profit entity: (a) Participants in a program where 51% or greater of the persons receiving benefit from PSG activities are determined to be LMI.(b) Persons who are members of the following groups that are currently presumed by HUD to meet benefit requirements. The presumption may be challenged if there is substantial evidence the group served by the project is most likely not comprised of principally LMI persons; Abused Children (Does not include "at-risk" youth) Battered Spouses (Does not include all victims of domestic violence) Elderly Persons (62 years +, or 55 years + for housing) Severely Disabled Adults Homeless Persons Illiterate Adults Migrant Farm Workers Persons Living with AIDS 3.All communities applying for PSG funds must certify that: The activity represents a new service to the community; or a quantifiable increase in the level of an existing service;4.Maximum PSG Amount: $50,0005.Selection Process: The selection process will consist of two stages (a) Stage 1: Letter of Intent: All communities wishing to submit a PSG application must submit a Letter of Intent. Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates. After review for completeness and eligibility, units of general local governments will be invited to make a full application.
(b) Stage 2: Application: The maximum length of an application is four pages, not counting required attachments. Please refer to Page 5 of this document for Program deadlines and due dates.
Members of the Review Team will assign a Review Point Total for each application reviewed. Review Point Totals will consist of the sum of the three scoring areas below and be determined by the total of each sub-scoring area. A maximum of 100 points is obtainable.
Impact (40 points):
Conditions requiring a new or expanded service - 15 points Issues faced by service providers including capacity, finances and staffing - 15 points Why PSG funds are critical for the project - 10 points Development Strategy (40 points):
A description of the new or expanded service, specific use of PSG funds, including how this service will resolve identified problems, and why this service will be more effective than existing services for the targeted beneficiaries - 10 points How PSG funds will be utilized to assist LMI persons or a HUD approved Limited Clientele group - 10 points Project timeline, including a start date, tasks completed to date, how PSG funds will be expended in a timely manner, and method of tracking success - 10 points Capacity and qualifications of the service provider implementing the project, including familiarity with the needs of project beneficiaries - 10 points Citizen Participation (20 points):
How overall citizen participation process directly relates to identification of solution strategies and application development - 5 points Effective use of any media (newspapers, radio, TV, etc.) to further public awareness and participation - 5 points Relevance of listed meeting/hearing activities/comments (not counting required public hearing) on application and project development - 5 points Involvement of potential LMI project beneficiaries in development of the application and project and how the required public hearing relates to the application development and citizen participation process - 5 points 6.Final Application Score - Each application will receive a Final Application Score assigned by members of the Review Team. The top scoring applicants will be considered for an invitation to proceed to the Project Development Phase as funds allow. G.SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERSThe Small Business Development Center Technical Assistance (SBDCTA) provides funding for the provision of technical assistance to Maine micro-enterprise businesses through a partnership with Maine's Small Business Development Centers.
1.Special Threshold Criteria and Certifications: SBDCTA will be distributed through a set aside of CDBG funds provided to the County of A roostook as the lead community. The lead community will establish a legally binding contract with the SBDC as approved by OCD.(a)Eligible Activities:(i) Eligible activities under the SBDCTA are technical assistance to verified Maine micro-enterprise businesses and potential start-up companies which can be reasonably expected to become a micro-enterprise business.(b)Communities ineligible for SBDCTA Assistance:(i) Micro-enterprise businesses and potential start-up companies located in the communities of Auburn, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Portland and all of Cumberland County with the exception of Brunswick and Frye Island, are not eligible for financial assistance under the SBDCTA.I.URGENT NEED GRANT PROGRAMThe Urgent need Grant (UN) Program provides funding to communities to address serious and immediate threats to health and welfare which are declared state or federal disasters.
1.Project Eligibility: Pursuant to Section 104(b) 3 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (see 24 CFR Section 570.483(d)) , the applicant must address a community development need which meets all four criteria listed below: (a) poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community;(b) originated or became a direct threat to public health and safety no more than 18 months prior to submission of the application;(c) is a project the applicant cannot finance on its own. "Cannot finance on its own" means, that the town's tax burden, regulatory structure, utility user fees, bonding capacity, or previous or existing budgetary commitments, precludes it from assuming the additional financial obligation needed for this project; and(d) cannot be addressed with other sources of funding.2.Program Requirements:(a)Necessary Documentation: The emergency situation must require immediate action to alleviate the serious and imminent threat of injury or loss of life resulting from a natural or man-made cause.(b)State or Federal Declaration of Disaster: The applicant must submit documentation that the project to be assisted with UN funds will take place in an area that has received a state or federal declaration of disaster. In addition, the activities to be assisted must be a direct result of the event leading to the declaration. This requirement may be waived by the Director of OCD with just cause.(c)Application Submittal: Applicants must submit a complete UN application that includes all required information and documentation.3.Selection Process: The selection process will consist of two stages: an application phase and a project development phase.(a) Stage 1: Application: An UN application must include the following:
documentation that the emergency situation was prompted by natural or man-made causes that pose an imminent threat of injury or loss of life; certification that the proposal is designed to address an urgent need and an immediate response is required to halt the threat of injury or loss of life; information regarding when the urgent need condition occurred or developed into a threat to health and safety; evidence confirming the applicant is unable to finance implementation on its own; and, documentation that other financial resources are not available to implement the proposal. a copy of a state or federal declaration of disaster. (b) Stage 2: Project Development: Prior to consideration of a grant award, all UN proposals must meet the four eligibility criteria listed above and the Program requirements. Project Development Phase applications must comply with the following:
Project Planning: Details of the project including engineering, cost analysis, feasibility, and structural analysis as necessary.
Management Plan: Details of the structure and methods established by the community for program management.
Regulations: Project Development Phase applications will be reviewed for compliance with State and Federal regulations.
4.Approval Process: Applications will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Following receipt of an application, OCD shall review the application and verify that it contains all the required information. Eligible planning activities necessary to complete the Project Development Phase may be included in the UN grant total. Notification to the applicant of the Office of Community Development's decision will initiate the Project Development Phase process necessary for contract award.J.SPECIAL PROJECTS PROGRAM The Special Projects Program provides funds to projects that are not funded through the normal CDBG application process. SP funds will be used for alternative OCD grant activities and partnerships that meet the community or economic development needs of municipalities and CDBG National Objectives in the State of Maine. Approval for the use of SPMF funds is through the Director, Office of Community Development.19-498 C.M.R. ch. 46, § 2