City of Columbia CDBG and HOME Grant Programs

The City of Columbia is offering funding opportunities through its administration of the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program. These programs are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are distributed locally by the City to support community development, housing stability, and services benefiting low- and moderate-income populations. The City operates under a Consolidated Plan covering 2025 through 2029, which establishes priorities and strategic goals that all funded projects must support. Organizations and individuals interested in accessing these funds must ensure that their proposals align directly with the objectives outlined in this plan. The purpose of the funding is to support projects that meet eligible activities under the CDBG and HOME programs. These typically include housing development and rehabilitation, community services, infrastructure improvements, and initiatives that address community needs tied to economic development and housing stability. The City emphasizes that all proposed projects must be consistent with federal eligibility guidelines as well as local priorities. In addition to new fiscal year funding, the City is also reallocating previously unspent funds, which creates additional opportunities for applicants who can quickly mobilize and implement projects. For the fiscal cycle described, the City anticipates receiving approximately 1.1 million dollars in CDBG funding and 500,000 dollars in HOME funding. In addition, there are reallocated funds available, including up to 530,000 dollars in CDBG carryover funds, 60,668.22 dollars in CDBG-CV funds, and 400,000 dollars in HOME carryover funds. Projects seeking reallocated funding must demonstrate readiness to begin implementation by summer 2025, and priority will be given to proposals that can proceed without delay. This readiness requirement is a key evaluation consideration for applicants seeking access to these particular funding streams. The application process includes a required Letter of Intent followed by a full proposal submission. The Letter of Intent serves as an initial screening step and must be submitted by May 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. The final deadline for complete proposals is May 9, 2025, also at 11:59 p.m. These deadlines apply to both new fiscal year funding and reallocated funds. The City has stated clearly that late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances, making adherence to deadlines a critical component of the application process. All proposals undergo a structured review process. City staff are responsible for determining project eligibility based on federal and local requirements. Following this, the Housing and Community Development Commission evaluates proposals according to established criteria, application procedures, and implementation feasibility. This layered review ensures that funded projects meet compliance standards and are capable of achieving measurable community impact. Applicants are encouraged to seek additional information through the City’s Housing Programs Division, which provides guidance on the application process. Questions and requests for application materials can be directed via email to the program’s official contact. The City maintains a commitment to non-discrimination and equitable access, ensuring that all applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, or sexual orientation. This reinforces the inclusive nature of the funding opportunity and its alignment with broader public service values.