Springs Times

The City of Colorado Springs Community Development Division has awarded more than $340,000 in grants to nine Colorado Springs nonprofit organizations through two programs aimed at assisting low- to moderate-income individuals and families. The City receives these funds by formula grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In March 2023, the Division announced the availability of $125,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services funds to go to five new and innovative programs that help low-income individuals and households.  Earlier in the year, the Division directly awarded $300,000 in non-competitive Public Services funds to local homeless service providers to meet the urgent community need of keeping families and individuals off the streets, safely sheltered, and assisted with transitions to housing.

In the same application cycle, the Division announced the availability of $100,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for rapid rehousing and homeless prevention programs. $185,000 in non-competitive funds were also made available to organizations providing critical, singular services for people experiencing homelessness.

The Division received over $750,000 in requests for funding for both CDBG and ESG programs. With only $125,000 available in 2023 Public Services funds and $240,000 in 2023 ESG funds, not all proposed projects could be funded. Applications go through a dual review process: first, an internal review by staff to determine basic eligibility and assess risk, followed by an external process in which members of the community help read and score applications.

The Colorado Springs Community Development Division awarded the following service providers:

2023 CDBG Public Services Grant Awards

Each of these organizations received $25,000 for the following projects:

• Community Partnership for Child Development’s Parent Ambassador Program for Homeless Families
• Center for Employment Opportunities’ Vocational Services for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
• Forge Evolution (Teen Court)’s Behavioral Health Services for Youth
• The Community Firm’s Eviction Case Management
• Springs Recovery Connection’s Recovery Support Specialist for Substance Abuse

The Public Services program is one component of the City’s $3 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation from HUD this year. CDBG Public Services funds projects that help low-income individuals or households. The 2023 awardees’ projects closely aligned with the City’s outlined priorities for 2023, addressing housing stability and improving the quality of life for low-income residents of Colorado Springs.

2023 Emergency Solutions Grant Awards

• $100,00 to support The PLACE in providing emergency shelter and street outreach to youth experiencing homelessness
• $60,000 to support the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s Homeless Outreach Program in providing intensive outreach to high needs individuals and families experiencing homelessness
• $30,000 to support Kingdom Builders in providing Rapid Rehousing for Survivors of Domestic Violence experiencing homelessness
• $25,000 to support Community Health Partnership in providing Homeless Management Information Systems support to community providers working to end homelessness

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program assists individuals and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The program prioritizes low-barrier projects that help individuals quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

Background

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards grant funds by formula to jurisdictions every year. Cities and counties determine priorities for the use of these funds through research and public engagement.  For more information about CDBG Public Services or ESG funds, contact communitydevelopment@coloradosprings.gov. To receive updates on public engagement and funding opportunities, sign up for our newsletter here!

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