The Department of Local Affairs Opens Applications for Local Community Capacity Building – Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) Certifications

Media Contact: Chynna Cowart 
chynna.cowart@state.co.us | 303-656-7464

Today, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) announced that applications for the State’s Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) for Local Community Capacity Building – Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) Certifications are now open through May 31, 2023 (end date subject to change).

This is a unique opportunity for DOLA’s Division of Housing to assist non-entitlement communities statewide in need of increasing the capacity of local nonprofit housing partners with the desire to expand their work to include development of affordable housing using CDBG funds.

The Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) 

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), through its Division of Housing (DOH), Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability (OHFS) requests applications for funding for developing local partner housing development capacity in CDBG non-entitlement communities via hiring capacity building consultants/contractors to assist local nonprofit organizations through the process of becoming certified as a Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) as defined at 24 CFR § 570.204(c).

Funding provided under this NOFA will be in the form of 12-month grants that may be renewed based on funding availability and project performance.

How to Apply

Funds available through CDBG-CV are only available to applicants who are either a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a governmental entity, a tribal government, or a housing authority or affiliates of these agencies.

Applications from local governments will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Status as non-entitlement unit of general local government for the CDBG program,
2. In equal measure; local government commitment to future project/program partnership with the CBDO upon certification,
3. Pipeline of potential CBDO eligible projects/programs anticipated from potential CBDO agency,
4. Demand for increased affordable housing stock in the subject service area,
5. Anticipated timeframe for technical assistance and completion of CBDO certification,
6. Anticipated costs of technical assistance consultant in relation to anticipated new affordable unit production

Prior to submission applicants must notify DOH of their intent to apply for CBDO Capacity Building by submitting an email to Alexandria Torrez, CDBG Asset Manager, Office of Housing Finance Sustainability, alexandria.torrez@state.co.us.

The Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted by the applicant, and list the name of the prospective CBDO, and the intended service area for the CBDO upon completion of certification.

CBDO Capacity Building applications must also be submitted through the application portal link in Neighborly, using the CHDO application template.

For more information about the application criteria (checklist described herein) and instructions for submission, please visit the DOH NOFA website - as all information regarding this NOFA will be maintained for the duration of the CBDO Capacity Building Grant program.

Informational Session

Today, April 14, 2023, the Department of Local Affair staff will host an informational session for those interested in the State’s Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) for Local Community Capacity Building – Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) Certifications.

Below are the meeting details:

Program Informational Session