Community Development Block Grant Construction Grants

The Community Development Block Grant Construction Grants program is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program is designed to support rural communities across Indiana by providing competitive grant funding for infrastructure improvements, public facilities, and community revitalization projects. The initiative aligns with federal objectives under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and emphasizes long term community development, resilience, and improved quality of life for residents. The program includes multiple construction grant categories, including Blight Clearance, Main Street Revitalization, Public Facilities, Stormwater Improvements, and Wastewater and Drinking Water. Each category supports specific types of capital projects, such as demolition of unsafe structures, rehabilitation of historic buildings, development of community centers, and upgrades to water or stormwater systems. Funding is intended to address community needs, improve public safety, and stimulate economic development while ensuring compliance with federal requirements tied to national objectives such as benefiting low and moderate income populations or addressing slum and blight conditions. Eligible applicants are local units of government in Indiana, including counties, cities, and incorporated towns that are not located within entitlement communities. Unincorporated areas must apply through their respective counties. Applicants must demonstrate legal and administrative capacity, ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and provide documentation supporting eligibility, project readiness, and community need. Projects must be completed within eighteen months of award and must meet at least one federal national objective, with detailed documentation required to substantiate eligibility and impact. The application process follows a two stage structure consisting of a proposal phase and a full application phase. During the proposal stage, applicants must submit a nearly complete project outline including budget, scope, and supporting documentation. Only applicants invited after proposal review may proceed to submit a final application. Submissions must be completed through the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System by a certified grant administrator. Required components include financial documentation, income survey data where applicable, environmental review requirements, and multiple supporting forms. Evaluation of applications is based on a structured scoring system totaling 700 points, with a minimum of 450 required for funding consideration. Criteria include alignment with national objectives, community distress factors, local match contribution, and project design quality. Additional points may be awarded for program specific factors such as sustainability planning, philanthropic contributions, or green infrastructure components. Bonus points may be available for resilience planning or disaster designation status, while penalties may apply for repeated funding of similar projects within a short timeframe. The program requires a local match, typically ten percent of the total project cost for many categories such as the Facilities Program. The maximum award for Public Facilities projects is 750000 dollars, though final award amounts are determined based on project scope, demonstrated need, and available resources. Funds are limited by a cost per beneficiary threshold and cannot be used for ineligible activities such as general government operations or new housing construction. Administrative costs are capped, and procurement must follow federal guidelines. Key dates for the current round include a proposal deadline in early April, a pre approval stage in May, and a final application deadline in early June, with awards expected to be announced in August. The program operates on a recurring cycle with multiple rounds offered annually. Applicants are encouraged to engage with community liaisons for technical assistance and ensure compliance with all submission requirements, as incomplete or late applications may be disqualified from consideration.

Ensure proposal is nearly complete before submission since it must reach 95 percent completion; prioritize strong documentation of community need and readiness; secure local match funding early; align project clearly with national objectives and scoring criteria; work closely with a certified grant administrator