Nearly $132 million of funding is available for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Energy (DOE), Economic Development Administration (EDA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Corporation for National and Community Service that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including energy efficiency and sustainable planning. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.
In addition, please visit the calendar of 2013 EPA grant opportunities that may be of particular interest to communities.
***HUD HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program – $500,000
Application Due: July 22, 2013
Eligible Entities: Local governments with a population of 50,000 or less, and with fewer than 100 physical public housing units
The purpose of the HOPE VI Main Street Program is to provide grants to small communities to assist in the renovation of a historic or traditional central business district or “Main Street” area by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The objectives of the program are to: redevelop Main Street areas; preserve historic or traditional architecture or design features in Main Street areas; enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas; and provide affordable housing in Main Street areas. HUD will require grantees to take specific energy-saving actions as part of HUD’s Strategic Plan.
For more information, visit the grant opportunity synopsis.
***DOE State Energy Program 2013 Competitive Awards – $5 million
Application Due: July 25, 2013
Eligible Entities: State Energy Office (SEO) or other agency responsible for administering the State Energy Program. States may work in collaboration with non-State entities including local governments.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s State Energy Program seeks applications to advance policies, programs, and market strategies that accelerate job creation and reduce energy bills while achieving energy and climate security for the nation. The funding opportunity’s areas of interest include: 1) Advancing Industrial Energy Efficiency; 2) Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action in States; 3) Driving Demand for Public Facility Retrofits; and 3) Clean-Energy Economic Opportunity Roadmaps.
For more information, visit the funding announcement.
***Corporation for National and Community Service’s Senior Corps: RSVP – $14.5 million
Letter of Intent to Apply: August 9, 2013
Application Due: September 10, 2013
Eligible Entities: Public agencies (including state and local agencies and other units of government), Indian Tribes, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and government-recognized veteran service organizations
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) RSVP Program one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation and offers a diverse range of volunteer activities that serve communities to create measurable impact, benefit volunteers through the service experience, and create community capacity. RSVP will focus grant making for fiscal year 2014 in six focus areas including environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and disaster services. For example, grant activities may support increased citizen behavioral change leading to increased efficiency, renewable energy use, and ecosystem improvements. In this competition, CNCS intends to fund RSVP projects that support volunteers 55 years and older serving in a diverse range of activities that meet specific local and community needs. A letter of intent to apply is not required, but highly encouraged.
For more information, visit the grant opportunity synopsis.
***HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants – $109 million
Application Due: September 10, 2013
Eligible Entities: Public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofits, tribal entities, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity.
The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which, when implemented, will be expected to achieve the following three core goals: 1) Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood; 2) People: Improve educational outcomes and intergenerational mobility for youth and supports delivered directly to youth and their families; and 3) Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to families’ choices about their community.
For more information, visit the funding announcement.
***EDA Economic Development Assistance Programs Federal Funding Opportunity – Total funding available TBD
Application Due: Varies by program year; next due date is September 13, 2013
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, non-profits, institutions of higher education.
Under the Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) Federal Funding Opportunity announcement, EDA will make construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. EDA is soliciting applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. EDA’s investment priorities include environmentally sustainable development and economically distressed and underserved communities.
For more information, visit the grant opportunity synopsis.
***FTA Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstrations – $3 million
Application Due: September 20, 2013
Eligible Entities: State and local governmental entities; providers of public transportation; Departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government; private or non-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and technical and community colleges.
The FTA seeks to promote the development and demonstration of targeted energy efficiency-enhancing technologies, specifically enhanced Electrification of Accessories and improvements in Thermal Management of Bus Bodies, for buses utilized in public transportation. Teams must include key roles by individuals representing both (1) a public transportation agency and (2) a bus manufacturer or supplier of relevant systems or components.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity webpage.