Notice of Funding Availability

PINELLAS COUNTY CONSORTIUM
2009 AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT
AND
CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSION FOR 2009-2010
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

February 27, 2009

Pinellas County expects to receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to be used in the current fiscal year and approximately $5,589,189 in Federal grant funds and program income for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009. The approximate expected funding sources and amounts are:

In addition, approximately $4,500,000 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds and an estimated $5,000,000 in local Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funds, plus anticipated income of approximately $591,000, will be available for affordable housing activities. The City of Largo receives HOME funds as part of the Consortium and allocates funds to housing programs.

Pinellas County has not yet received confirmation of its 2009 Federal grant or ARRA funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or its State funding from the State of Florida. Funding levels are subject to change. The County expects final Federal funding levels to be released on or before October 1, 2009, and State funding levels to be released on or before July 1, 2009.

Applications: Applications will be accepted for the following activities which fall within the priority needs stated in the County’s Consolidated Plan: (1) Preservation of existing affordable rental housing developments; (2) Public Facilities in special districts or which serve a low to moderate income population or special needs population, including the homeless; (3) Mixed Income Rental Developments and Owner Housing Development (Please note that applications for Housing Development may be submitted at any time) or (4) Public Works projects in special districts.

Parties interested in more information on receiving funds for activities are invited to visit our web site at www.pinellascounty.org/community/1appinstructions.htm or to contact Community Development at (727) 464-8210 to obtain an application. Applications are due to the Community Development Department, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 800, Clearwater, FL 33755 no later than Friday, April 3, 2009. Selection of activities is based on availability of funds, consistency of the activity with the County’s Five Year Consolidated Plan and identified priorities, no duplication of an existing program, and approval of the local jurisdiction in which the activity is located.

Eligible Activities: The following are eligible activities under each of the Federal grant funds; however, applications will be accepted only for the specific activities described above. CDBG funds are used to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low and moderate-income households, and to eliminate blighting conditions. Eligible activities include housing rehabilitation and preservation, public facilities and improvements, public infrastructure, clearance and demolition, economic development, public services, and housing services. Eligible activities under HOME include construction, rehabilitation, and/or acquisition in order to expand the supply of decent and affordable housing, and home ownership assistance. ESG funds are used to provide operating funds and essential supportive services and to rehabilitate shelters serving the homeless.

Jurisdiction: CDBG funds must be used to benefit residents located in the Urban County (all unincorporated areas and all incorporated areas except St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and Belleair Shores). HOME funds must be used to benefit residents of the Pinellas County Consortium (Urban County and the City of Largo). ESG funds must benefit homeless in facilities located outside the city limits of St. Petersburg, except that facilities offering services for homeless unaccompanied youth or homeless ex-offenders may be located anywhere in Pinellas County. SHIP and local HTF funds must be used to benefit residents in the County (all unincorporated and all incorporated areas).

Ongoing Programs and Activities: Although the County is not seeking applications from service providers, the County will continue to fund housing programs and activities in support of target areas. Members of the public, owners of rental housing, and builders/developers may access information about the County’s housing programs through the above website or telephone number. The affordable housing development application is available through the above website. Ongoing housing programs include: rental housing development, rental property improvement, housing development for homebuyers, down payment assistance, owner occupied housing rehabilitation, and services such as the Homebuyers’ Club, and foreclosure prevention counseling.

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