Housing Planning Grant Program

The Housing Planning Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs through its Division of Local Government and Community Development Office. Established under SB24-174, the program is designed to support local governments and regional entities in understanding and addressing housing needs through structured planning efforts. The program aligns with statewide legislative requirements that mandate the development of housing needs assessments, housing action plans, and specific comprehensive plan elements such as water supply and strategic growth. The initiative reflects a broader state effort to ensure communities proactively plan for housing availability, affordability, and long-term sustainability. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund planning activities that enable jurisdictions to comply with statutory requirements while improving local housing outcomes. Funding may be used to develop new housing needs assessments, housing action plans, or components of comprehensive plans, including water supply and strategic growth elements. The grant also allows for the revision of existing plans to meet updated legal standards. However, funding cannot be used for administrative expenses such as existing staff salaries, operational costs, or indirect expenses. In certain cases, external project management costs may be eligible if pre-approved by program staff. The program requires a minimum 25 percent local match of the total project cost, although applicants contributing a higher match are considered more competitive. Matching funds may come from local, federal, state, nonprofit, or private sources, but cannot include other grants from the same administering division. Applicants facing financial hardship may request a reduced match requirement with prior consultation. The total funding available for the current round is approximately 7000000, sourced from state-level funds including the Local Government Severance Tax Fund and the Local Government Mineral Impact Fund. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, city and county governments, councils of governments, regional planning commissions, and other public entities formed through intergovernmental agreements. The program encourages multijurisdictional collaboration and prioritizes jurisdictions subject to SB24-174 requirements. Eligible projects must demonstrate alignment with statutory guidelines and include elements such as inclusive public engagement, especially with underserved or vulnerable populations. Applicants must also be in compliance with all applicable laws related to governance, including budgeting, elections, and audits. Applications must be submitted through the Division of Local Government Grants Portal during the designated funding cycle. For the current round, the application period opens on July 13, 2026 and closes on August 17, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to consult with program staff prior to submission and may participate in informational sessions. The application process requires submission of project details, budget information, timelines, and supporting documentation such as letters of support. Applications are evaluated based on readiness, local support, organizational capacity, stakeholder engagement strategy, and applicability to statutory requirements. The evaluation process assigns weighted scores to project criteria and strategic growth compliance. Applications are reviewed by staff and final funding decisions are made by the Executive Director. Awards are typically announced within approximately two months after the application deadline, followed by contract execution within an additional two months. Projects cannot begin until a formal agreement is signed. The program operates on recurring funding cycles, with future rounds expected to be announced periodically, including a subsequent round anticipated in fall 2026. For assistance, applicants may contact program staff via email or phone. The program manager and assistant provide technical support, eligibility clarification, and guidance throughout the application process. The program emphasizes proactive engagement, compliance with housing legislation, and the development of actionable plans that address local housing challenges in a structured and equitable manner.

Demonstrate readiness to begin within 90 days; include strong stakeholder engagement; exceed minimum match to improve competitiveness; align clearly with SB24-174 requirements