Grant Programs and Funding
Refer to the summary of programs and links to the resources on the Bureau of Community Development’s main
Community Resources website.
Is there other funding available offered by other bureaus within the Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)?
Yes. Refer to the
DEHCR home page for information on the other programs offered through DEHCR. This includes a tool that allows users to view services and agency contacts by selecting the appropriate county from a drop-down menu.
When is the next application round for the Flexible Facilities Program (FFP)?
There will be no additional application round or awards. This is a one-time grant awarded to the state through the U.S. Department of Treasury
Capital Projects Funds (CPF) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All Wisconsin funding for the FFP was awarded in 2024.
When is the next application round for the CDBG Coronavirus Program?
There will be no additional application round or awards. The CDBG-CV program is a one-time program funded through HUD in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All Wisconsin CDBG-CV funding was awarded in 2021-2025.
Is DEHCR affiliated with Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Non-State Grant Program?
No. DEHCR is not affiliated with the Non-State Grant Program. Please refer to the
Non-State Grant Program website for information about the program.
We want to apply for a public facilities grant. Is there a maximum award amount?
The CDBG Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) maximum award is $1,000,000.
Grant Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply for grant funding?
- Local governments throughout Wisconsin that are
not in
entitlement communities/areas are eligible applicants for the Community Development Block Grant programs. -
Non-profit entities, private developers housing authorities, and Native American housing entities may apply for the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).
We are a non-profit entity; can we apply for CDBG?
Although non-profit entities are not eligible to apply for grant funding directly, they may qualify as a sub-recipient to carry out and indirectly receive the benefit of CDBG funds only if a local government submits an application for funding on behalf of the sub-recipient. Refer to
Chapter 1: Introduction of the
CDBG Implementation Handbook for more guidance.
Our project has already started. Can we apply for a grant or request reimbursement?
Under most programs once project construction has started you are not eligible for a grant or request reimbursement. If a project is implemented in phases, the CDBG funds could potentially fund a later phase, contingent upon the phases not being interdependent. Email
DOACDBG@wisconsin.gov with specific questions about phased projects.
The CDBG program information specifies a HUD national objective must be met for a project to be eligible. What are the HUD national objectives?
A project must meet one of three HUD national objectives by:
- primarily serving individuals with a low- to moderate-income (LMI) status; or
-
eliminating or preventing slum or blighted conditions; or
-
meeting an urgent local need.
Grant Application Process
How does an eligible applicant apply for CDBG funds?
Refer to the individual CDBG program websites, clicking/selecting the links that are provided on the Bureau of Community Development’s main
Community Resources website.
-
CDBG-PF and CDBG-Housing programs have specific deadlines.
-
Other programs accept applications on a continual, year-round basis, considered on a first-received-first considered basis, with funds awarded contingent availability at the time of application. An application must be deemed eligible and complete to be considered for an award.
HUD Income Limits and Low-to-Moderate-Income (LMI) Data
Where can I find the income limits to verify a person or family has a low- or moderate-income (LMI) status?
HUD updates income limits on an annual basis, normally in May or June. The sources for the income limits for CDBG and HTF projects and associated Uniform Relocation Act (URA) income limits are listed below. The URA limits are applicable when determining the LMI status of owners and tenants for any acquisition associated with CDBG and HTF projects.
Income Certifications and Income Surveys
Does the community have to conduct an income survey or collect income certification forms to verify the LMI status of project beneficiaries?
Communities that are qualifying a project based on the LMI National Objective must verify the LMI status of project beneficiaries. If HUD LMI Summary Data (LMI SD) are available for the project’s service area and show that at least 51.0% of the beneficiaries have an LMI status, those data may be used for qualification.
If HUD LMI SD are not available for the applicable service area or beneficiary group, the community must collect supporting documentation to verify LMI status. An income survey may be required, or the grantee may be required to obtain employee income certifications for job creation or retention activities, or collect client income certification forms for service-based projects.
Resources for Home Buyers, Owners, Renters and Lenders
How can I apply for assistance to repair my home or help me buy a home?
- Residents of a non-entitlement community may apply for assistance by contacting their CDBG Housing Region program administrator. You can find your local administrator by visiting the
DEHCR home page and selecting your county of residence on the interactive map.
- Residents of entitlement communities are not eligible to apply through a CDBG Housing Region. Please use the interactive map on the
DEHCR home page to find resources that may be available in your community.
Can you help me pay for my housing expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities and property taxes?
We do not make direct assistance payments to or on behalf of individuals. Please use the interactive map on the
DEHCR home page to find resources that may be available in your community.
We are a lender looking for payoff or subordination information for a homeowner who received a CDBG housing loan, where can we get this information?
Please refer to the mortgage signed by the homeowner. The mortgage will list the mortgage holder and that is who you need to contact for that information.
I am interested in buying a HUD home who should I contact?
Please see
HUD’s Homestore website for information.
Federal Labor Standards
Are CDBG projects subject to the federal labor standards and wage rates [i.e., Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA)]?
CDBG projects are subject to federal labor standards, including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), when they involve applicable construction activities. DBRA requirements generally apply to most infrastructure-related projects. Residential homes with fewer than 8 units are not subject to DBRA.
If the CDBG project is subject to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), does the grantee need to collect payroll records or is it only the contractor that needs to maintain them?The grantee must collect all payroll records for all construction contractors and subcontractors working on the CDBG project on a weekly basis and complete payroll monitoring to verify labor standards compliance on a weekly basis. The payroll monitoring requirements are specified in
Chapter 7: Labor Standards of the
CDBG Implementation Handbook.
Is the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) subject to federal labor standards?
Although, HTF as stand-alone financing is not subject to federal labor standards. If your project includes other federal agency financing that requires labor standards, the entire project would be subject to labor standards.
Build America Buy America (BABA)
Does Build America Buy America (BABA) Act apply to CDBG and HTF projects?
The applicability of Build America Buy America (BABA) requirements to projects is determined by the specific program and nature of the project. BABA applies to most infrastructure-related projects including private and public housing developments with more than four units . Refer to the specific program guidance to determine whether BABA requirements apply to a project.
CDBG projects that do not involve any construction activities or that have a total cost of $300,000 or less are not subject to BABA.
How do we get a BABA waiver for a project?
Refer to
Chapter 3: Procurement and Contracting of the
CDBG Implementation Handbook for guidance on the various types of BABA waivers and requirements for project specific waiver requests. The BABA related forms are linked under the “Chapter 3 Attachments” section on the
CDBG Implementation Handbook website. Project-specific waivers require the grantee to submit a request to DEHCR, which then must submit a request to HUD and receive approval from HUD and the federal Made in America Office (MAO). Contact your assigned DEHCR Project Representative for more information.
Grant Agreement Amendments and Award Increase Requests
What if we want to change our project scope after the original scope of work has been approved and the grant agreement for the project has been executed?
Contact the assigned DEHCR Project Representative and refer to
Chapter 2: Administrative Requirements of the
CDBG Implementation Handbook for guidance on the process and requirements for amendment requests.
We were awarded a grant but have discovered that our project costs have increased. Can we request additional funding from DEHCR?
Additional funding may or may not be available. Please contact your assigned DEHCR Project Representative for additional information.
Grant Administration and Record Keeping
How long do we need to keep our CDBG records?
At this time DEHCR is working with HUD to close out many of the older CDBG programs. We cannot authorize the disposal of any records related to your grant until we have the approval from HUD. Paper files may be transferred to electronic copy.
