Right Column

Funding Criteria Introduction

Community Development Block Grant Program

For 1996/97 and 1997/98, funds will be distributed pursuant to the methods specified in Sections 7062.1 and 7078 of the State regulations and according to provisions in Sections 50832, 50833, and 50834 of the Health and Safety Code. Pursuant to regulation, funds not awarded from the economic development allocation, the Native American and the planning/technical assistance allocations are awarded to unfunded general allocation applicants. The exception to this procedure is discussed below and involves the set-aside that has been established by federal legislation for the provision of assistance to communities designated as Colonias.

For 1996/97 and 1997/98 the Department will use the unspent Colonias set-aside funds, if any, for the rehabilitation of migrant centers located in non-entitlement cities and counties. The amount of funds to be set aside for 1996/97 will be determined by HUD based on the perceived need. For 1991 the amount of Colonias set-aside was approximately $2.4 million; while for 1992 the amount was $512,000. Requests in the amount of $300,000 were received for the 1991 Colonias funds, and $500,000 for the 1992 funds. The 1993 Colonias set aside was $1.6 million while the 1994 set aside equaled $1.68 million. The 1995 set aside equaled $865,080.

A maximum of $500,000 may be received from an application for funds from either the general or economic development allocation. Up to $35,000 may be requested under both the general and economic development allocations for planning/technical assistance grants under a separate notice of funding availability (NOFA). Pursuant to 1994 State legislation, all P/TA funds will be made available on an over the counter basis in program years 1996/97 and 1997/98.

Up to 7.5 percent of the funding available for grants may be used by the grantee for grant administration expenses. The Department may authorize the use of additional funds for eligible program implementation costs. Up to 5 percent of the funds available for planning-only grants may be used for general administration expenses.

Economic Development applications submitted under Section 7062.1 will be evaluated individually against the threshold criteria contained in Section 7062. The exception to this is the California Community Economic Enterprise Fund activity. The General and Native American applications will also be evaluated according to the criteria contained in Section 7078 and then ranked according to the total number of points received. The activities that provide relatively high percentages of benefit to the Targeted Income Group and address serious community development needs receive the most points.