Detroit has grant programs aimed to improve the lives of low to moderate income families.
The city of Detroit offers two grant programs aimed at neighborhood development and enhancement. The Community Development Block Grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides funds to communities in order to assist in their development efforts. Detroit's CDBG program, according to the City of Detroit website, offers funding for decent housing, economic opportunities, and needed services for people of low and moderate incomes. The city also offers Emergency Shelter Grant Programs for agencies that provide services to the homeless population. Both grant programs are designed to improve the quality of life of residents in Detroit's urban neighborhoods.
Community Development Block Grants
Community Development Block Grants grants are used to support a broad range of activities, including home rehabilitation, construction and rehabilitation of community facilities, demolition of blighted buildings, acquisition, relocation and preparation of property for new development, economic development, public services, planning, and administration of the program. The city opens requests for proposals inviting qualified agencies to apply. Community organizations, public service agencies and city agencies submit their applications. After a series of meetings and hearings to receive public input, the mayor and city council of the city of Detroit determines who will receive the funding.
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is a Detroit City Council grant program, begun in 1976, which funds requests from neighborhood organizations for non-comprehensive neighborhood improvements. According to the city website, NOF, a part of the Community Development Block Grant program, has provided grants for emergency services such as shelter, groceries, education and tutoring. NOF grants have also been awarded for legal assistance, sidewalks, trees, planters, minor home repair and senior activities.
Request for Proposals
Each year, the city of Detroit Planning and Development Department invites community organizations to apply for the Community Development Block Grant/Neighborhood Opportunity Fund program, according to the online request for proposal. A different RFP packet is prepared for each of the categories of grant funding: such as homeless public service, home repair, public service, public service facility rehab and economic development. The Detroit City Council mandates that applicants attend a mandatory proposal-writing workshop as one of the criteria for funding.
Emergency Shelter Grant Program
Each year, the Emergency Shelter Grant Program invites qualified emergency shelter and service providers to submit proposals, according to the Detroit website. Grants applicants must be a tax-exempt nonprofit organization with at least one year of experience serving the homeless. The applications must propose program eligible -- provide emergency shelter and/or certain supportive services for the homeless population -- activities and meet the RFP deadlines and content guidelines.
Neighborhood Support Services Division
The city's Neighborhood Support Services Division helps community-based organizations strengthen neighborhood development in Detroit. This division manages the public services and homeless activities associated with the Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Shelter Grant programs, according to the City of Detroit website. The NSSD also supplies administrative support for Citizen's District Councils.
Tags: Community Development, Community Development Block, Development Block, Block Grant, Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, public service
