Show-Me State Times

The City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) announced on Friday, August 2, the availability of $5,119,304 in funds for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Request for Proposals (RFP). The deadline for proposal submissions is September 6, 2024.

Established by Congress in 1974 through the Housing and Community Development Act, the CDBG program aims to develop urban communities by funding affordable housing, improving neighborhood quality of life, and expanding economic opportunities primarily for low- and moderate-income individuals. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the program on an annual funding cycle. Each year, municipalities receive funds to support various community development initiatives. In St. Louis, these funds are managed by CDA. For the prior 2024 funding cycle, $4,996,484 was available.

Currently developing its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan with a data-driven approach and enhanced citizen participation, CDA has identified several priorities for 2025 based on community-wide focus groups' data review of existing departmental plans and federal CDBG statutes and regulations. All applications must meet one of HUD's three national objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons or households or prevent or eliminate slum or blight.

High priority areas include youth services, relocation assistance, drug abuse counseling and treatment programs, health services, and public improvements. Other priorities encompass economic development; affordable housing including rental assistance and rehabilitation; planning; public facilities; infrastructure improvements; administration; and targeted investments in designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSAs).

Proposed NRSAs for HUD approval as part of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan include neighborhoods such as Baden, North Pointe, Walnut Park West in North NRSA; Wells-Goodfellow in Northwest NRSA; Greater Ville in North Central NRSA; Near Northside Choice Neighborhood Footprint in Choice NRSA among others.

Additionally, CDA has revamped its Commercial Facade Improvement Program which now provides five-year forgivable loans to small businesses and commercial property owners to improve their building exteriors.

CDA encourages both existing grantees and new applicants like non-profits and neighborhood groups to apply for funding that aligns with CDBG goals. Interested organizations can access detailed RFP documents at www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/cdbg.

Important dates include:

- July 22: Funding Priorities Published

- August 2: Issued CDBG Non-Housing Production RFP

- August 15: Virtual Capacity Building Training Best Practices

- September 6: CDBG Proposals Due

- October 11: Funding Recommendations Posted

- November 7: Public Hearing No.2 (Funding Awards)

- November 15: Final Annual Action Plan Submitted to HUD

Recordings of public hearings are available on the City’s YouTube channel along with maps indicating targeted areas.

About CDA:

The Community Development Administration is dedicated to enhancing life quality in St. Louis through strategic investments in housing projects, economic development initiatives, and public services aimed at ensuring safe affordable housing access for all residents.