CDBG Programs

Seattle Human Services Department Programs -- Community Facilities Funding and Guidelines

Community Facilities Funding and Guidelines Community Facilities Accomplishments

Funding

The Community Facilities Program allocates funds through a competitive request for investments (RFI) process held every two years. A panel of City staff and community representatives reviews project proposals and makes recommendations to the Human Services Department director, who makes the final award decisions.

Funding awards are made available in the form of forgivable loans that range from five to 15 years, depending upon the amount. Receiving agencies are required that the facility continue to serve low- and moderate-income persons through the life of the loan, at which point the loan is forgiven.

The 2004-2005 RFI process offered $828,000 in funding and received 10 applications requesting a total of $2.3 million. Five of the 10 applicants received funding. The 2006-2007 RFP process awarded $960,148 in funding to five agencies that requested a total of approximately $1.45 million.

Eligible projects must be proposed by private nonprofit organizations or public development authorities and:

• involve facilities that serve low- and moderate-income Seattle residents;
• be located within Seattle city limits;
• address the City's human services priorities;
• address specific facility needs; and
• demonstrate that the agency will retain control of the site for the life of the loan.

Eligible activities are:

• acquisition of property for social services purposes;
• construction, renovation or rehabilitation of social service facilities;
• facility feasibility studies, architectural design; and
• improvements to make buildings more accessible to people with disabilities

Federal Guidelines

Funding for the Community Facilities Program comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement to the City of Seattle. All agencies receiving funds under this program must document that the funds benefit low- and moderate-income persons or neighborhoods. Agencies must also adhere to all applicable federal regulations and requirements. Program project managers will guide agencies through these requirements.