Criteria For CDBG HOME And ESG Applications
The responses to these questions represent key criteria in the evaluation of CDBG ESG and HOME funding applications:
Low and Moderate Income Benefit: Does the proposed activity primarily benefit individuals and households whose incomes fall within low to moderate ranges?
Slum and Blight Prevention Elimination: Does the activity contribute directly to the prevention or elimination of slum conditions or blighted areas within the community?
Urgent Community Need: Does the initiative address a clearly defined and pressing community need or problem?
Consolidated Plan Alignment: Does the applicant’s request align with one or more of the established objectives and priorities outlined in the current Five-Year Consolidated Plan?
Service Duplication: Does the proposed activity avoid duplicating services already provided by another applicant or existing community resource?
Applicant Experience and Track Record: Does the applicant demonstrate a proven history of implementing CDBG, HOME, or ESG related activities and delivering comparable services through other grant programs?
Financial Capacity: Does the applicant exhibit sufficient financial capacity, as evidenced by audited financial statements and satisfactory banking or credit references?
Financial Stability and Sustainability: Does the applicant demonstrate financial stability and sustainability by showing that operations are not solely reliant on CDBG, HOME, or ESG funding and that the proposed activities can be maintained without ongoing external support?
Staffing Adequacy: Does the applicant have the necessary number of qualified and trained personnel to effectively implement the proposed service or activity?
Organizational Strength: Does the applicant demonstrate strong organizational capacity, as evidenced by:
- Established and effective record-keeping methodologies;
- A well-organized filing system;
- Robust financial management systems; and
- Comprehensive written procedures for financial and personnel management?
Funding Dependency: Is the applicant overly reliant on CDBG, HOME, or ESG funding as a primary and recurring source for program operations?
Budget and National Objective Alignment: Does the applicant submit a detailed line-item budget that clearly explains the allocation of funds and demonstrates how the proposed activity aligns with the relevant National Objective?
Low and Moderate-Income Compliance Determination: Does the organization clearly articulate a method for ensuring compliance with low- and moderate-income requirements for beneficiaries?
Realistic Beneficiary Estimates: Does the organization provide realistic estimates of the number of low- and moderate-income individuals or households that will benefit from the proposed service or project?
Service to Special Populations: Does the proposed activity specifically serve a designated special clientele or minority group within the community?
Quantifiable Service Enhancement (Public Service Organizations): For Public Service Organizations seeking CDBG or ESG essential services funding, does the applicant present a clear explanation of how the funding will yield a quantifiable increase in service delivery—or enable the introduction of a new service—and contribute measurable benefits to the City and its residents, particularly low- and moderate-income households?
Potential Benefit and Impact: Does the proposed activity offer a substantial potential benefit and positive impact on City residents, thereby warranting enhanced consideration?