NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

2025-2029 HUD CONSOLIDATED PLAN, 2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN,

AND HOUSING EQUITY PLAN

As a grant recipient of federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Seminole County will receive an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and will have the opportunity to support housing and community revitalization efforts, promote economic development and investments in underserved neighborhoods, and provide essential services benefitting low-income and vulnerable populations.

The County will have available an estimated $3.2 million of HUD funds for Program Year 2025. Projects may be implemented by the County, or the County may contract with local governments, non-profit agencies or for-profit organizations, to undertake activities to meet identified community development and housing needs. Applicants requesting funding under the CDBG-Public Services, CDBG-Public Facilities & Infrastructure, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs must be submitted electronically using the Neighborly software.

No paper applications will be accepted. The link to the application will be available on the Community Services Department website https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/community-services/ beginning February 27, 2025. All applications are due to Seminole County Community Services Department no later than April 3, 2025, at 4:00 P.M. Faxed or email applications will not be accepted, and late application will not be scored.

Two technical assistance workshops have been scheduled to provide interested applicants the opportunity to ask questions regarding this funding notice.

Additional meeting login instructions will be available at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/community-services/. To be considered for the 2025-2026 funding, all interested applicants must have a representative present for at least one of the workshops.

To receive grant funds, the County must develop a Consolidated Plan which assesses housing, homeless, and economic conditions impacting the community. The Consolidated Plan provides a strategy for addressing needs and outlines a proposed budget for the County's use of HUD funds towards eligible activities. The County has also committed to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) and making concerted efforts to combat housing discrimination against protected classes. The County is currently developing a Housing Equity Plan which examines barriers to fair housing and identifies priorities and goals to mitigate fair housing issues as required under the federal Fair Housing Act and state and local law.

Residents, housing, homeless, and non-profit partners, service providers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend public meetings to help identify community assets and priority needs to help determine the best use of HUD funds for community change and equitable housing. Seminole County encourages participation of all its residents especially the involvement of very low-income residents, minorities, non-English speaking persons and persons with mobility, visual or hearing impairments.

If you have questions or need additional information on HOME or CDBG funding, contact Elvis Santana at 407-665-2307 or ESantana@seminolecountyfl.gov; and on ESG information, contact Michelle Cahill at 407-665-2387 or MCahill@seminolecountyfl.gov