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Strong Communities

The Strong Communities Grant Program is intended to incentivize the adoption of transformational practices, programs, and policies that support sustainable development patterns and affordable housing into the future. This program will help communities align policies and regulations to focus on locating affordable housing in infill locations near jobs, transit, and everyday services; ensuring new neighborhoods have housing of all types, sizes, and price points and are connected by multimodal transportation options to the rest of the community.

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The program creates two grant programs to support Colorado communities in achieving these goals:

  • Planning grants will help communities align policies and regulations to locate affordable housing in infill locations near jobs, transit, and everyday services. 
  • Infrastructure grants will provide funding to local governments for infrastructure associated with the development of community benefit-driven infill affordable housing that meets critical housing needs as identified by the local government.

The Strong Communities Grant Program was created through Colorado House Bill 22-1304 and is funded by federal stimulus funds. It is collaboratively managed by the Department of Local Affairs Division of Local Government, Colorado Energy Office, and Department of Transportation. Funding for Strong Communities is appropriated from the Affordable Housing and Home Ownership Cash Fund which originated from the Federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (also referred to as State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, or SLFRF).

Request for Proposals

The Strong Communities Program is seeking a consultant to develop a methodology and/or tool to estimate the potential impact of the land use best practices adopted by communities. Indicators include economic costs and savings, impact on affordable housing development, and environmental impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and household transportation costs. The methodology will be used to understand the comparative benefits of different land use best practices, and to support the reporting requirements of the Strong Communities Program.

Interested consultants:

This solicitation is published using both the Colorado Vender Self-Service portal (VSS) and the Rocky Mountain BidNet systems. Proposing vendor/consultant(s) must be registered on both VSS and BidNet in order to download solicitation documents and information and to be considered responsive at the time set for submission competitive quotations.

One emailed copy of competitive quotation and one copy uploaded to the Rocky Mountain BidNet system, in .pdf format, which will serve as the “original” in place of a hard-copy, must be submitted.

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024, 2 p.m. (MST) to Brenda Lujan.

For an overview of the scope of work and program expectations, watch the informational webinar that was held on February 14. You can also view the slide deck, and a transcript is available upon request.

Funding Available

The deadline for applications for the second round of the Planning Grant Program has been extended to Friday, March 15, 2024. Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and city/counties. Communities can apply through the Division of Local Government Online Grants Portal.

Funding Decisions

Planning Grant Funding Awards, Round 1

Land Use Best Practices

The Strong Communities Grant Program is intended to incentivize the adoption of transformational practices, programs, and policies that support sustainable growth and development patterns and affordable housing into the future. This program will help communities align policies and regulations to focus on locating all types of housing in infill locations near jobs, transit, and everyday services; ensuring new neighborhoods have housing of all shapes, sizes, and price points and are connected by multimodal transportation options to the rest of the community.

Resources

Annual Report

2022 Annual Report


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Program Contacts

Lisa Loranger
Program Manager
303.565.6200
lisa.loranger@state.co.us

Moira Blake
Program Assistant
720.417.5696  
moira.blake@state.co.us

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