Public Facilities
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding
The Community Development Division manages the City of Colorado Springs’ Entitlement funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for citizens in Colorado Springs. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to improve local communities by providing decent housing, improved infrastructure, public facilities, services, and improved economic opportunities.
Our Funding
The City of Colorado Springs’ Community Development Division provides funding to local 501(c)(3)/ 509(a) non-profit organizations, and public agencies that serve low- to moderate-income community members.
What is Low to Moderate Income (LMI)?
Low- to moderate-income (also referred to as LMI) is a measure of a household's income in comparison to the Area Median Income (AMI). In this case, the annual income is less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) or less, as established by HUD.
- Extremely Low Income is 0-30% AMI, Very Low Income is 30-50% AMI
- Low Income is 50-80% AMI, Moderate income is over 80% AMI = Over Limits
- Click here to access the Nationwide HUD mapping tool
In addition to serving low-to-moderate-income persons all CDBG funded activities must meet one of two national objectives:
- Low to Moderate Clientele Benefit (LMC)
- Low to Moderate Area Benefit (LMA)
Low to Moderate Clientele Benefit (LMC)
These are activities or programs that benefit a specific group of LMI residents regardless of their address. At least 51% of the beneficiaries served under these activities and/or programs must be low-to-moderate-income persons.
Low to Moderate Area Benefit (LMA)
These are activities or programs that benefit all residents in a defined geographic area (within city limits) that has a majority of low-to-moderate-income persons. Low-to-moderate-income activities or program under this objective must serve whole areas that are a majority (51% or more) low-to-moderate-income.
Public Facilities
In general, public facilities and public improvements are interpreted to include all facilities and improvements that are publicly owned, or that are owned by a nonprofit and open to the general public during normal working hours. The Community Development Division prioritizes capital projects that improve quality of life in low- to moderate income neighborhoods; projects that increase access to essential human services; projects that demonstrate exceptional public-private partnerships with meaningful community engagement; Projects that leverage additional local and or state resources.
Applications are typically accepted in the first quarter of the year.
For Organizations Interested in Applying
The City of Colorado Springs funding program year runs from April 1st to March 30th. As such, the Community Development Division generally releases a Notice of Funding Availability (solicitation for applications) around mid-February to mid-March.
Eligibility Basics
- Project must be located within the city limits of Colorado Springs;
- Serve low-income communities: the project must be in a majority LMI (51% or over) Census tract and/or serve populations presumed to be low-income; have special needs.
- Organizations must be a 501(c)3, 509(a), faith-based entities, and/or public agencies
Eligible Public Facilities Activities/Projects
- Acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public facilities
- Infrastructure improvements (construction or installation) including, but not limited to streets, curbs, and water and sewer lines, broadband access.
- Neighborhood facilities including, but not limited to educational and recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds.
- Facilities for persons with special needs: elderly, mental illness, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, persons with addictions, persons with HIV/AIDS, unhoused, and survivors of domestic violence.
Eligible Costs
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Handicapped accessibility improvements
- Architectural design features and other treatments aimed at improving aesthetic quality
Ineligible Activities
- The maintenance and repair of public facilities and improvements is generally ineligible
- Operating costs associated with public facilities or improvements are ineligible unless part of a CDBG-assisted public service activity or eligible as an interim assistance activity.
- A public facility for the general use of government. Exceptions are designated portions of government owned facilities for public use. (Example: accessibility improvements at City Hall for public benefit.)
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
At this time the Community Development Division has fully awarded all 2022 CDBG Public Service (or facilities) funds. To receive notices of funding availability, join our mailing list here.
Resources
- 2CFR part 200
- Application Guide (links will be provided when funding is available)
Questions
For more information about the CDBG programs or applications process please contact the community development division at community.development@coloradosprings.gov