Community Development Block Grant funds are distributed through an annual competitive grant program. In order to receive funds from the city's block grant program, applicants must demonstrate a given project or program's conformance with the eligibility requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Programs providing an area-wide benefit must be located in one of the city'seligible areas. Programs providing direct-benefit services to recipients, 51% or more of which are Portland residents from households of low to moderate income, may also qualify for funding.
The application process begins with a mandatory applicant meeting, typically held in the fall. Attendance at the mandatory applicant meeting is required to submit a CDBG application. Applications are released following the mandatory meeting, deadlines vary based on program year. The CDBG Annual Allocation Committee is responsible for thoroughly reviewing and scoring each funding application based upon identified priorities and scoring criteria. The Allocation Committee makes funding recommendations to the City Manager and City Council, both in writing and in person at a scheduled council meeting. Ultimately, the City Council determines final funding allocations.
The 2022-2023 CDBG Mandatory Applicant Meeting was held remotely via Zoom, Thursday, October 14th at 5:00pm. Applicants were required to attend to submit a 2022-2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application for the 2022-2023 program year. Applications were released following the mandatory meeting.
2022-2023 CDBG Applications are due Monday, November 22 by 4:00pm. Applications must be submitted electronically to Kelley Walsh, HCD Program Manager at kwalsh@portlandmaine.gov . Applications will be reviewed and scored by the CDBG Allocation Committee through the fall and winter. Funding recommendations will be released in March 2022. Funding will be made available July 1, 2022.
Appeals Process
Applicants may appeal only the score that it receives. The appeal must be based on a factual error that was made and that, if corrected, would result in a grant award or a higher award. Appeals must be filed in writing within 10 calendar days of the date up which the Allocation Committee publishes scores.
