The City of Indianapolis receives four entitlement grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to assist low-income individuals and families in dealing with issues involving housing and housing-related issues. The amount of these grants is determined by the Federal government based on the most recent census data and reporting from city service providers.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - The single largest grant received by the City, it is also the most flexible. CDBG funding provides for a wide array of housing and social services, including low-income home repair, public facility construction and rehabilitation, the demolition of unsafe structures, summer youth programs, employment training and senior services.
Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program - Designed to promote low-income homeownership and the creation of affordable, low-income rental housing, HOME
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) - In providing operations support to emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, ESG helps meet the immediate housing needs of our community's most vunerable. Outreach and support services for the homeless such as medical treatment and case management are also elligible activites for this grant.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program - Families and individuals suffering from AIDS or HIV are able to providing housing and supportive services such as tenant-based rental assistance, housing information and emergency housing assistance.
Each year, the City releases a Request for Proposals (RFP) to signal the beginning of the application process in the early summer. Interested organizations submit this application for funding to the City detailing the nature and scope of their project, its
budget, benchmarks, and timelines, as well as any other pertinent information. City staff then uses an objective scoring system to evaluate each application and to determine the proposal's eligibility for federal funding. Applications are also available on this website.
Recommendations then go before the City's Federal Grants Review Committee (FGRC) for discussion and provisional approval. From there, applications are sent to the City/County Council for final approval in the fall.