Published June 14 2023
The City of Bellevue is accepting applications from organizations with projects that may be suitable for Community Development Block Grants. Proposals must be submitted by 4 p.m., Saturday, July 15. The application form will be available online at BellevueWA.gov/block-grants or by email request to dadair@bellevuewa.gov.
The notice of funding availability was released Wednesday, June 14. The city is considering non-construction capital projects (e.g., architectural and engineering and other soft costs; single-family home rehabilitation; weatherization; acquisition or pre-acquisition costs) and economic development projects such as micro-enterprise business assistance.
The city is not seeking public services projects (e.g., homeless services, counseling, food banks, senior services, etc.). Projects must comply with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Block Grant program regulations (24 CFR Part 570).
The Bellevue Human Services Commission will review applications in August and September, and present funding recommendations to the City Council in the fall.
The amount of funding available is estimated to be $1.1 million ($850,000 in estimated entitlement funds and $250,000 in estimated program income), $228,000 in unobligated 2021 entitlement funds, and $410,000 in unobligated entitlement funds for 2022 – for a total of $1.7 million. The city makes no guarantees regarding the availability or awarding of CDBG funding. Projects selected via this request for proposals will be part of the 2024 CDBG Annual Action Plan.
Overview of Eligibility and Suitability Considerations
CDBG funds come with significant compliance and reporting burdens that affect organizational operations. Responsive performance reporting, specific demographic data records and meticulous documentation requirements can extend for years beyond the completion of a CDBG-funded activity.
Organizations receiving block grants are subject to additional monitoring and auditing from the city, HUD and the State Auditor. Additional exposure to liability and costs (in real dollars and staff time, among other resources) comes with the risk associated with CDBG. We strongly encourage organizations to consider the administrative burden that comes with CDBG funding before applying. Please see Playing by the Rules: A Handbook for CDBG Subrecipients on Administrative Systems for detailed information on CDBG administrative requirements.
To request a translated copy of the funding application, contact Donna Adair at 425-452-4069 or dadair@bellevuewa.gov.