The Division of Grants Administration secures, manages and administers HUD entitlement grant programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA), as well as other federal and state grant and loan agreements; and develops and manages several community development projects. Staff performs fiscal functions for entitlement grant and other grants for over 80 community-based organizations, non-profit agencies and City departments.

On an annual basis these federal entitlement funds are allocated to City departments and community-based organizations throughout the City, to rebuild and revitalize Hartford’s neighborhoods and support its low and moderate-income residents. The Grants Division also ensures funds are used appropriately in accordance with stringent federal regulations.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Community Development activities include many different programs that provide assistance to a wide variety of grantees. Begun in 1974, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is one of the oldest programs in HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to many different types of grantees through several programs like: Entitlement Communities & Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.

The annual appropriation for CDBG is split between states and local jurisdictions called "entitlement communities". Entitlement communities are central cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs); other metropolitan cities with populations of at least 50,000; and qualified urban counties with populations of at least 200,000 (excluding the population of entitled cities). States distribute the funds to localities who do not qualify as entitlement communities.

HUD determines the amount of each grant by a formula which uses several objective measures of community needs, including the extent of poverty, population, housing overcrowding, age of housing and population growth lag in relationship to other metropolitan areas.

Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
The purpose of the ESG program is to improve the quality of existing emergency shelters for the homeless; make available additional emergency shelters based on need; to assist in reducing the cost of operating emergency shelters; and to make essential social services available to homeless individuals. The greater goal of ESG is to make certain that homeless persons have access not only to safe and sanitary shelter, but also to the supportive services and other kinds of assistance needed to improve homelessness through the funding of preventive programs and activities.

Housing Opportunities For People With AIDS (HOPWA)
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program was established by HUD to address the specific needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HOPWA makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons medically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families.

HOPWA funds may be used for a wide range of housing, social services, program planning, and development costs. These include, but are not limited to, the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of housing units; costs for facility operations; rental assistance and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. HOPWA funds also may be used for health care and mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, nutritional services, case management, assistance with daily living, and other supportive services.

Application Process Notice Of Funding Availability (NOFA)
Applications for Funding Assistance under the U.S. Department Of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program are accepted from eligible sub-grantees on a yearly basis. Those eligible to submit an application must be agencies/organizations who are incorporated with the Secretary of State and possess 501 (c) 3 designation from the IRS at the time of application.

The City makes awards subject to funding availability, and reserves the right to make said awards to non-profit agencies only as deemed to be in the best interest of the City, and to the benefit of, low and moderate-income Hartford residents only.

Consolidated Plan
Every five years, each CDBG Entitlement grantee must prepare a complete Consolidated Plan. The Con Plan identifies community needs, resources, and priorities. In addition, an Annual Plan is prepared every year that provides information on the intended use of HUD program funds to address needs identified in the Consolidated Plan.

Also, the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is a mandatory report to HUD, which collects, consolidates and reports information on the performance and outcomes of federally funded programs and projects. The CAPER is due to HUD within 90 days of the close of the Program Year; it must include a summary of programmatic accomplishments and an assessment of progress toward meeting the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan.

5 Year Housing Impediment Plan

Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA)
A program of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. This Tax Credit Program is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax exempt organizations by providing a corporation business tax credit for businesses who make cash contributions to these entities.

Businesses can receive a credit of 60% of their approved contribution to certain programs (or 100% in the case of certain energy conservation programs) approved by the Department of Revenue Services. The credit percentage is determined by the nature of the program and the type of individuals served (e.g., indigent or disabled). Businesses unable to utilize the full amount of their credit may carry back any unused credits to the two immediately preceding income years.