As you know, the city staff is interested in applying to Florida Commerce for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The funding for this program is awarded on a competitive basis Cities with a population under 50,000 are eligible to participate in the program under any of the following four funding categories: Commercial Revitalization, Economic Development, Housing Rehabilitation and Neighborhood Revitalization. At your May 6, 2025 public hearing the Council voted to apply under the Housing Rehabilitation category.
The amount of funding being requested is $2,000,000.00. The purpose of the grant would be to assist a minimum of twenty-one (21) low/moderate income property owners with housing assistance. The housing assistance would be delivered in the form of rehabilitation of housing standards that do not meet current building codes. As part of the application, the city will rely upon CDBG funds to provide temporary relocation expenses to property owners that may be displaced during the period that their home is under construction.
If the grant application is successful, it is expected that it will require a minimum of thirty (30) months for the project to be complete considering the client solicitation and selection, environmental review process, development of project specifications, project bidding, construction and project close-out.
Lastly, the resolution establishes the mayor as the position responsible for executing all documents required in connection with the filing of the application.