COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

1. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CDBG OFFICE

2. THE CDBG PROGRAM General Overview CDBG is a Federally funded program designed to assist local jurisdictions implement community development initiatives that address the core goals of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. These goals are to develop viable communities by providing: • Decent housing; • A suitable living environment; and • Expanding economic opportunities

3. CDBG NATIONAL OBJECTIVES General Overview (contd.) In order to qualify for CDBG funding, each activity must be eligible and address one of the following national objectives as established by the Act: • Providing benefit to low- and moderate income persons; or • Aiding in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or • Addressing an Urgent Need (earthquakes, floods, severe hurricanes)

4. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITES Activities that are eligible for CDBG funding include, but are not limited to: • Acquisition • Demolition • Public Facilities and Improvements • Public Service • Housing Rehabilitation • Home Ownership Assistance • Planning • Program Administrative costs

5. INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to: • Fundraising • Political activities • Expenses required to carry out the regular responsibilities of local government • Income payments • Buildings or portions thereof, used for general conduct of government • Purchase of equipment, fixtures, motor vehicles, furnishings or other personal property

6. UNALLOWABLE COSTS Costs that are unallowable under the CDBG Program include, but are not limited to: Bad Debts Contingencies Contributions Donations Entertainment Costs Gifts and awards Fines and Penalties Interest Fundraising Litigation Expenses Losses on other awards

7. LIMITS ON THE USE OF FUNDS Attention should be paid to the following limits on the use of CDBG funds: • CDBG funds cannot be used to acquire property that will be used primarily for religious purposes or to promote religious interests. • Funding requests to acquire property for an eligible use must identify site, sales price and estimated value based on comparable market values. • Capital cost must be supported by cost estimates. • If funds are awarded for construction projects, a small percentage of the grant will be retained for City inspection and monitoring costs. • Separate applications must be completed for operating support and capital projects. • For capital projects, religious organizations and their affiliates may use CDBG funds for minor repairs to a facility that is used to house eligible public services.

8. HUD OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT HUD established an Outcome-Based Performance Measurement System to address the “Objectives” and “Outcomes” of the CDBG program. The Objectives are: CREATING SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT – relates to activities that provide benefit to communities, families or individuals by addressing issues in their living environment such as poor infrastructure, crime, literacy, etc. PROVIDING DECENT HOUSING – relates to any housing activity designed to meet the housing needs of individuals and families. CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES – applies to activities related to economic development, commercial revitalization or job creation.

9. HUD OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT (contd.) The Outcomes are: AVAILABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY - applies to activities that make services, infrastructure, public services, housing or shelter available or accessible to low- and moderate-income people, including persons with disabilities. AFFORDABILITY - applies to activities that provide affordability in a variety of ways to low- and moderate-income persons such as affordable housing or services such as transportation or day care. SUSTAINABILITY: PROMOTING LIVABLE OR VIABLE COMMUNITIES – applies to activities that are aimed at improving communities of neighborhoods helping to make them livable or viable by providing benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, or by eliminating slums or blighted areas or by providing services that sustain communities.

10. MAYORAL PRIORITIES The Mayor of Baltimore has also established specific objectives to make Baltimore a better city. Mayoral Priorities that are consistent with CDBG objectives include: • MAKING BALTIMORE A SAFER CITY – applies to activities that will provide long-term preventive measures to deter crime through job training/ employment opportunities for ex-offenders, citizen patrol, comprehensive services for juvenile offenders etc. • BUILD STRONG, HEALTHY, AND EDUCATED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES –applies to services aimed at promoting economical stable, environmentally safe, and learning and development opportunities for families and children. • STRENGTHEN BALTIMORE’S ECONOMY – applies to activities aimed at promoting economic and cultural opportunities for Baltimore City residents.

11. MAYORAL PRIORITIES (contd.) • CULTIVATE STABLE, VIBRANT AND LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS – applies to promoting affordable housing and strong communities. • MAKE BALTIMORE CLEANER AND A MORE SUSTAINABLE CITY – applies to services that meet the current environmental , social and economic needs of the community.

12. CDBG OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE 5-YEAR PLAN The CDBG objectives outlined in the City’s 5-year Plan are: • Affordable Housing: • Assist low and moderate income persons or households access housing through rental and/or homeownership opportunities • Assist existing homeowners in maintaining their homes • Strengthen homeownership markets through counseling and foreclosure interventions • Encourage Neighborhood Revival Increase via a range of initiatives, internal and external market confidence in neighborhoods in the middle and create conditions favorable to the flow of fiscal and social capital. Elements to achieve this objective include the removal of impediments to healthy and safe neighborhoods, assembling land for redevelopment and capitalizing on underutilized assets.

13. CDBG OBJECTIVES – contd. • Improve the quality of life in neighborhoods by providing social and economic development services to individuals and households Improve the well-being of the people that make up communities by providing a wide range of socio-economic services e.g. child care, employment training, legal services, micro-enterprise assistance, literacy programs etc. • Comprehensive redevelopment of highly distressed areas Facilitate large scale development to stimulate market activity, increase opportunities for local residents, maintain and attract residents to Baltimore City and increase the City’s tax base. Each program or project to be funded under the CDBG Program must be designed to address one or more of the Federally-mandated Outcome-Based Performance Measures. Applicants should also indicate how their programs or activities would meet a Mayoral Priority and one of the objectives outlined in the 5-year Consolidated Plan.

14. TIMELINES October Notification of 1st public hearing regarding Needs/Performance 2013 and Request For Proposal (RFP’s) under the CDBG program for Federal Fiscal Year 2014/City Fiscal Year 2015 November 6, Needs/Performance Public Hearing 2013 November 12, Deadline for submission of written comments on the 2013 Needs/Performance Public Hearing November 22, Deadline for submission of CDBG proposals 2013 November 2013- Review & finalize all proposals and prepare the Draft Annual April, 2014 Action Plan for public review and comments

15. TIMELINES (contd.) April, 2014 Public Hearing on Draft Annual Action Plan May, 2014 Deadline for written comments on Draft Annual Action Plan Review of all public comments & finalize Annual Action Plan Plan submitted to City’s Board of Estimates for approval May, 2014 Submit Annual Action Plan to HUD June, 2014 Anticipated HUD approval of Annual Action Plan July 1, 2014 Program Year begins NOTE: DHCD will not be mailing hard copies of the CDBG Application. The application can be viewed and downloaded from the Housing Department’s website at www.baltimorehousing.org. Paper copies of the application are available at the CDBG Office at 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 1101.

16. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION • Separate proposals must be submitted for operating costs and capital projects. • Submit one original and two copies of each proposal. • Incomplete applications will be disqualified from further consideration and returned to the applicant without being reviewed. • All proposals must be submitted to DHCD no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013. CDBG funds are limited. It is important that applicants identify other resources that would be available to assist with undertaking the proposed program/project. Continuous funding is not guaranteed.

17. APPLICATION COMPONENTS Applications for CDBG funding must include the following components: • CDBG Checklist and Cover Sheet • Proposal cover sheet • Organizational Information • Project Narrative and Budget • Performance Measurement Forms and Conflict of Interest Statement • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws • Federal Tax Exempt Determination Letter • List of Board of Directors • Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Maryland

18. APPLICATION COMPONENTS (contd.) • Board of Director’s Authorization to Submit Request for Funding • Organizational Chart • Resume of Program and Fiscal Administrator • Financial Statement or Most Recent Audit • Housing Counseling Grant Application (If applicable) DUNS REQUIREMENT – All applicants applying for federal funds must provide their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS). Applicants should verify that they have a DUNS . To obtain a DUNS call 1-866-705-5711.

19. ORGANIZATIONAL NARRATIVES The following information is to be provided in narrative form and included with the CDBG application: Experience/Organizational Capacity Provide a brief description of the organization’s history and success in delivering the service. Financial Capacity Describe the projected budget, major sources and uses of funds; fiscal management; recordkeeping and accounting procedures; ability to comply with audit requirements; indicate whether organization is current with all taxes and has adequate insurance coverage. Personnel Indicate whether there is a written personnel policy, affirmative action plan and grievance procedure.

20. ORGANIZATIONAL NARRATIVES (contd.) Staff Capacity List staff, consultants, tutors, volunteers involved in carrying out the proposed activity or project. Conflict of Interest Non-profit organizations are required to have written standards of conduct governing the performance of its employees engaged in the award and administration of contracts. All applicants must complete the Conflict of Interest form.

21. ORGANIZATIONAL NARRATIVES (contd.) Contracting Requirements Applicants should state in their proposals whether or not they can comply with the following requirements if awarded CDBG funds -- • Fire insurance; Workman’s Compensation; Fidelity Bond, Liability insurance and if applicable, Builder’s Risk Insurance; • Certification regarding debarment, suspension and other matters; • Section 3 requirements; • Limited English Proficiency (LEP) • Audit requirements • Davis Bacon wage rates (for capital projects) ); and • Employ Baltimore requirements

22. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION AND PERFORMANCE FORMS The following is a brief overview of the CDBG application packet • Project Narrative Provide enough detail as to what can reasonably be completed within one year. Describe the need for the proposed program or project. Describe the services to be provided and number of persons that will be assisted. • Indicate how the proposed program/project will meet neighborhood needs, complement or support other physical development or services. Provide a schedule of when the program or project will be completed. Identify other all other funding sources. • Proposed Budget The application includes a one-page budget form for operating costs and a one-page form for capital projects. The supplemental budget forms are to be used to describe other sources of funds for the program/project. Any requests for an increase in funding over prior year’s award must be justified .

23. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS For each activity applicants are required to indicate which component the program/project will address; select an objective; identify the goals, inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and outcome measurements. Program Components – check the appropriate box to indicate the purpose for which funding is requested. The selections include: Housing Public Facilities and Improvements Public Service Economic Development Neighborhood Revitalization Housing for Persons With HIV/AIDS Homeless Services Program Objective – check the appropriate box to indicate which HUD Objective the activity or project will meet. The selections include: Creating Suitable Living Environment Providing Decent Housing Creating Economic Opportunities

24. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS Definition of terms used in the Outcome-Based Performance Measurement Form: GOALS A goal is a statement that describes what can reasonably be achieved within one year. Goals are usually directly related to the purpose of the organization. EXAMPLES OF GOALS: • Improve the quality of life of seniors and the physically challenged. • Increase the affordable housing stock. • Create new job opportunities. • Increase the literacy skills of adults and youth.

25. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS Definitions (contd.) INPUTS Inputs identify the resources to be used to achieve the objectives of creating suitable living environments, or providing decent housing, or creating economic opportunities. EXAMPLES OF INPUTS: • Hiring and training staff • Recruiting clients • Obtaining all financial resources

26. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS Definitions (contd.) ACTIVITIES Activities describe the work or services to be provided to clients. EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES: • Housing counseling workshops • Health referrals • Employment training • Rehabilitation of housing units for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households

27. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS Definitions (cont’d.) OUTPUTS Outputs are the quantifiable products of the organization’s activities. EXAMPLES OF OUTPUTS: • 50 units of low- to moderate-income housing created. • 250 persons received employment training. • 4 housing counseling workshops conducted. OUTCOMES The benefits to individuals resulting from a program or activity. The outcomes may be one or more of the following: • Availability/Accessibility • Affordability • Sustainability

28. OUTCOME-BASED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FORMS Definitions (contd.) OUTCOME MEASUREMENT Applicants should indicate the indicator, verifiable information or data that will be used to measure outcomes. Outcome measures will vary depending on the project. EXAMPLES OF OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: • 25 substandard homes will be rehabilitated and sold to low- and moderate- income homebuyers. Verifiable data: Number of homes rehabilitated and sold. • 20 youth will have access to after-school tutoring in order to increase math and reading skills. Verifiable data: School progress reports. • By June 2015, test scores of adult learners will increase by 10%. Twenty will obtain a GED. Verifiable data: Progress reports and GED certificates.

29. HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAMS Applicants that intend to provide housing counseling services during the FY 2014-2015 Program Year, must complete Section IV of the CDBG application. This section requires the applicant to: • Indicate the services to be provided which may include homebuyer education, pre-purchase counseling, mortgage delinquency, post purchase, loss litigation, mobility and relocation assistance, fair housing assistance, renters assistance. • Describe in detail how the above activity(s) will be delivered. • Complete a quarterly timetable for housing counseling activities.

30. For assistance or guidance, please call (410) 396-1966