Notice of Funding Availability

PINELLAS COUNTY CONSORTIUM CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSION
FOR 2008-2009
Federal, State, Local Housing and Community Development Programs

February 29, 2008

Pinellas County expects to receive approximately $6,214,106 in Federal grant funds and program income for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008. 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 $1,000,000, 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.

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.

Applications are due to the Community Development Department, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 800, Clearwater, FL 33755 no later than Thursday, April 3, 2008. 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. 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.