Orlando Standard

The City of Orlando's Housing and Community Development Department is preparing for an announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding funding for the Program Year 2025-2026 (PY2025). The programs involved include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA).

For the previous year, federal allocations amounted to $2,514,174 in CDBG, $213,100 in ESG, $1,186,469 in HOME, and $5,674,618 in HOPWA. The city expects similar funding levels for PY2025 and is inviting proposals from non-profit organizations that serve local communities.

Applications for HOME program funding are accepted continuously. HOPWA funds are managed by Orange County. CDBG funds aim to support affordable housing and community development activities benefiting low- to moderate-income residents within Orlando. The city prioritizes affordable housing services.

ESG funds target rapid re-housing initiatives, homelessness prevention efforts, and emergency shelters. Activities financed by CDBG and ESG must align with the City of Orlando Consolidated Plan's goals and meet federal requirements.

Non-profit agencies interested in PY2025 grants can apply via ZoomGrants. Creating or signing into an account on this platform is necessary to access the CDBG pre-application and ESG application forms.

The deadline for CDBG pre-applications is Friday, March 14, 2025. Final applications for both CDBG and ESG funding are due by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, March 28, 2025. Preliminary funding recommendations will be made in June 2025 with final awards announced between July and October 2025.

Further details about applications can be found on ZoomGrants. For more information or special accommodations requests, contact Andres Burgos at 407-246-4492 or via email at andres.burgos@orlando.gov.

A public hearing and technical assistance workshop will take place on Monday, February 17, 2025. Other important dates include applicant presentations scheduled throughout May 2025.