Grants for Community Development & Emergency Solutions

Dara Korn
·2 min read

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The City of Colorado Springs Housing and Community Vitality Department is accepting applications for grants to empower local organizations planning to provide social service activities in Colorado Springs.

The 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) both have a minimum award of $25,000 and no maximum.

Community Development Block Grant Public Services

The city has allocated an estimated $450,000 for CDBG Public Services funding to bolster new or expanded community services, prioritizing innovative projects aiding low-to-moderate income areas. Services must be based within the City of Colorado Springs limits.

In the 2024 annual action plan public process, housing affordability emerged as a top priority among community members and local organizations. While all eligible applicants/projects are urged to apply, the City of Colorado Springs will prioritize the following types of applications this year:

  • Emergency subsistence payments for rent/mortgage

  • Housing counseling services

  • Case management

  • Legal services or eviction prevention programs

  • Housing navigation services

The priority population for this grant includes individuals and families with special needs, such as seniors, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and people experiencing homelessness.

Emergency Solutions Grant

The city has set aside $400,000 for the 2024 ESG grant, to assist local organizations in providing essential services to individuals and families facing homelessness within Colorado Springs. Applicants for this grant should keep in mind:

  • Applicants must be members of the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care

  • Awards are subject to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program component caps

  • Applicants must use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and participate in Coordinated Entry, except for domestic violence service providers.

  • Projects must adhere to ESG administrative requirements as outlined in the City’s ESG Written Standards

  • Applicants must be able to match dollar for dollar on funds received for proposed projects.

    • Budget items covered by matching funds must meet the same eligibility requirements as expenses paid by ESG funds.

    • Guarantee of match must be provided at the time of application via a letter of commitment from a donor, organizational budget, or notice of award from another funding source.

    • If awarded, proof of match expenditure must be documented within the 2024 program year before the final request for reimbursement is paid.

For more details about applications and requirements, go to the CDBG Public Services homepage at https://coloradosprings.gov/cdbg or the ESG homepage at https://coloradosprings.gov/esg.

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