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| Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program |
| There are two types of programs that exist under the CDBG umbrella. An annual grant allocation program and competitive programs are offered for the County to participate in. |
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| The "Formula" Grant |
| The County receives annual funds based on a formula used to determine its allocation, which takes into account population, income, and the local unemployment rate. Each funding year, Licking County is informed of its allocation (usually around $350,000-$400,000). The County Commissioners then select projects to be funded based on local officials' and citizens' input and requests. The Community Development staff prepares the Formula application, informing the Ohio Department of Development how the County proposes to use the funds. Once funds become available upon completion of an environmental review process, the program allows 18 months to complete projects. The staff administers and monitors projects by securing engineering or architectural services, bidding and contracting for construction services, and ensuring that local, state, and federal regulations are followed. |
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| Each year, the Commissioners receive many more funding requests than can be funded with the Formula allocation. It is therefore important that the projects to be carried out are selected carefully, taking into consideration both short and long range plans, for orderly and realistic development and redevelopment. As a part of that process, a community needs assessment is carried out for each community assisted with these federal dollars. |
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| Examples of past Formula projects are paving of part of the walking path and installation of handicapped accessible playground equipment at the John Geller Park in Heath, installation of storm sewers in Summit Station and curbs and sidewalks in Utica and Johnstown, a housing study for Buckeye Lake and distribution of Lead Based Paint brochures to schools and day care facilities. Furthermore, housing rehabilitation for owner occupied homes have been carried out, as well as improving buildings for several social service agencies and partnering with the City of Newark and the Community Mental Health and Recovery Board in providing additional facilities for The Main Place. Future funds may be allocated for downtown revitalization in Utica, storm sewers in the Village of Hebron and improving handicapped accessibility in township halls in the County. |
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| The CDBG Small Cities program requires that participating communities conduct fair housing activities. Licking County continues to have an active fair housing office, which is discussed in more detail elsewhere. |
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| Competitive Grants |
| Competitive CDBG programs are those that the LCPC can apply for on behalf of Licking County communities. Because of the limited amount of funds, applicants throughout the state compete with each other to secure grants. |
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| The following illustrates the most common competitive programs and highlights each one's components: |
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| Downtown Revitalization Grants - This grant program allows four to five communities per year to begin the process of restoring central business districts, helping them remain viable and to continue developing. Improvements to stores and offices, creation of a coordinated effort to deal with downtown issues, and improvements to infrastructure are eligible activities which may be funded for up to $400,000, which must be matched 1:1 with other funds from the local government, private businesses and individuals, and additional state or federal funds. |
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| Economic Development Grants: CDBG funds are also available on a competitive basis for economic development projects. |
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| The HOME program was created by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 and was amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. HOME is a federally funded, large-scale grant program for housing. Like CDBG, the intent of the HOME program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing to low and moderate income citizens, and to strengthen the abilities of state and local governments to provide this type of housing. The HOME program allows great flexibility to state and local governments for housing projects such as new construction (single-family and multi-family), homebuyer and rental assistance programs, rehabilitation programs, and infrastructure which directly supports a specific housing project. |
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| Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) - HOME funds are accessed through a competitive grant application process called the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). The LCPC recently applied for and was awarded a $600,000 CHIP grant to implement a Tenant-based Rental Assistance program which will be administered by the Licking County Metropolitan Housing Authority, and a Housing Rehabilitation and Home Repair Loan program. |
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| Community Housing Improvement Strategy (CHIS) - Prior to being awarded a CHIP grant, the State of Ohio requires all applicants to prepare a Community Housing Improvement Strategy (CHIS). The CHIS is an in-depth analysis of the County's housing needs, market and inventory conditions, and includes strategies for improving housing conditions and opportunities for low to moderate income citizens. The CHIS must be updated every three years. |
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