BRISTOL, RI–On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, the Town of Bristol announced a new partnership with Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC) to administer the municipality’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
“The Town of Bristol is pleased to bring Church Community Housing on board to assist with local CDBG grant administration,” said Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale. “This new partnership will boost the Town’s capacity to seek and manage these important federal funds.”
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is one of the longest-running U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. CDBG funds support an array of community development activities including affordable housing, home rehabilitation, essential public services, and infrastructure improvements. Over the past five years, these funds have supported several local projects, including the recent $1.7M Wood St. Neighborhood Streetscape Project.
In 2021, the Town of Bristol issued a Request for Proposals (#955) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administrative services. Church Community Housing Corporation was awarded the service contract and will serve as the point of contact for Bristol’s Home Repair Program and Competitive Applications.
“With over 50 years of experience, we look forward to our partnership with the Town of Bristol and expanding our service to a new community,” said Church Community Housing Corporation’s CDBG Program Director Rain Daugherty.
Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC) is an affordable housing developer that has been working in Newport County since 1969. Starting in 1976, CCHC became the administrator for the City of Newport’s housing rehabilitation revolving loan program. Since that time, CCHC has expanded its efforts to include all six communities in Newport County for both housing rehabilitation and CDBG Administration.
Bristol Home Repair Program
Beginning Tuesday, January 18th, 2022, the Town of Bristol will begin accepting 2021-2022 Bristol Home Repair Program applications.
Funded through CDBG, this program helps to revitalize the local community and provide safe, suitable living environments for low and moderate-income residents. Applicants can seek funding for various home improvement projects, including emergency roof replacements, window replacements, and code violation corrections.
All funding assistance is in the form of a 0%-interest forgivable loan with no closing costs or fees when conditions are met. CDBG grant funds can cover up to 100% of project costs.
Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible households. Application information is available online through the Town of Bristol website.
For more information, please contact:
Rain Daugherty, CDBG Program Director at 401-846-5114 ext. 119 [email protected].
Competitive Application Process
Earlier this week, the State of Rhode Island announced the PY2020/2021 CDBG competitive application process. Eligible activities include public facility/infrastructure improvements, essential services, and planning activities.
An organization’s activity must meet one of the three national objectives:
· Benefiting low and moderate-income persons,
· Preventing or eliminating blight, or
· Meeting other community development needs that are of particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community, and other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.
Organizations planning to seek CDBG funds through this application cycle must submit a Letter of Intent announcing their interest in applying for either a public service or a public facilities grant.
Letters of Intent are a one-page notice on organizational letterhead that includes a summary of project activities as well as the estimated amount being requesting.
Letters of Intent are due via email to Rain Daugherty at [email protected] by Thursday, January 20th, 2022.
Grant application forms will be provided by CCHC once a Letter of Intent is received and the proposed activity has been verified for eligibility.
Completed application packets are due by 4:00 PM on Thursday, February 9th, 2022.
Please Note: Bristol is limited on the number of proposals it can submit to the State of Rhode Island. Regional organizations may apply through any one eligible community and may serve an entire area.
To discuss an activity’s eligibility, reporting requirements, program obligations, or submission details, please contact:
Rain Daugherty, CDBG Program Director at 401-846-5114 ext. 119 [email protected].
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