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1. Must the applicant organization be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

Most applicants are government agencies and public entities, like municipalities. The nonprofit applicant must have 501(c)(3) status confirmed by the time funding decisions are made.

2. Must the applicant agency be located in Prince George's County?

Yes, although there have been a few exceptions in the past. In all cases, the agency must provide service to low and moderate-income Prince George's County residents.

3. Does the designation of specific revitalization focus areas exclude applications from other areas in the County?

No. Eligibility depends on the income of people who reside in the area. No eligible area is excluded from consideration. Eligibility determinations are based on 2000 census data provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

4. The Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development covers the years 2000 through 2005. Does this mean that proposals should be for that five-year period?

No. The Consolidated Plan presents a five-year strategy and a one-year Action Plan. Proposals are for one-year periods beginning July 1st.

5. If a CDBG-funded Operating Agency has not spent its existing grant, can it still apply for new funds for next year?

Yes. Agencies are asked to plan the project so that the grant will be spent during the one-year period.

6. Can CDBG funding be used to provide group homes (or assisted living facilities/congregate housing) for senior citizens?

The County funds housing development activities through the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) administered by this Department's Housing Development division. A HOME proposal package can be obtained by calling 301-883-5570.

7. Are start-up funds available through CDBG?

Start-up operating funds for a new public service project are almost never approved. A short, start-up period for a proposed one-year "brick and mortar” project can be included.

8. What are the steps of the proposal application approval process?

Proposals are compiled and summarized by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Community Planning and Development division. The summarized information is submitted to the County Executive who recommends funding approvals to the County Council for review. Proposals selected for funding are written into the Annual Action Plan for the coming year.

9. The proposal form refers to but does not provide the State's definition of "slums or blight." Could you give us that?

There are two kinds of slums or blight: (1) spot, and (2) area wide. The slums/blight determination must be based on any of the conditions described in State/County regulation. One basis used in the County is that the condition causing the area wide deterioration results from a defect in the design of the community. In these cases, the defect was the failure to provide adequate storm water management systems.

10. If your project has two components, should you use two application forms?

Yes.

11. Can you explain the reimbursement process?

An agency uses its own resources to pay project expenses, submits its request to Department Housing and Community Development for reimbursement along with proof of the expenses paid. The County processes the request and then mails a check to the agency.

12. Are grant awards all or nothing? Is there any negotiation?

An agency might be awarded a portion of the amount requested. The grant amount depends on the reasonableness of the request and the track record of the requesting agency and the amount of funds the County has available. The amount of work to be accomplished must be renegotiated if the agency is awarded less than the total requested.

13. Will proposals for large projects, say $750,000, be considered?

Large projects should be broken down into year-by-year phases. Community Development Block Grant funds are limited, and there are many needs throughout the County that must be addressed.

14. What is my agency's chance of being funded?

Projects involving rehabilitation and improvement of public facilities and infrastructure have a good chance of being funded because more money is available for them. Of course, the proposal has to describe a project with a high likelihood of success, well thought through, realistic, achievable, etc.

A new public service has a poor chance of being funded. Only 15% of the County's CDBG funds can go to public services. For a new project to be funded, an existing project has to give up funding. This is not likely to happen.