CDBG Program Year 2025-2026
Funding Application Process
Richland County is issuing this Notice of Funding Availability for the anticipated allocation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award during Program Year PY 25-26. These are Federal entitlement funds allocated to the County through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for projects that principally benefit low and moderate income (LMI) residents of unincorporated Richland County.
The application process opens Monday, March 10, 2025.
Funding Available
As a CDBG Entitlement Community, Richland County is granted a yearly allocation of CDBG funds based on HUD’s allocation formula using annual population data. The County should receive the new allocation details by May 2025. For program year (PY) 2025, the County anticipates an award in line with the 2024 award of $1,718,460. In order to receive these funds, the County must prepare a one-year Annual Action Plan for the use of Federal funds. This CDBG NOFA process is part of developing the 2025 Annual Action Plan and selecting CDBG projects for that plan.
Through a competitive application process, the County intends to allocate a portion of its CDBG funds to non-profits, faith-based organizations, and County Departments for Public Service, Public Facilities Improvement, Infrastructure Improvement, and Slum and Blight Removal activities principally benefitting Low-to-Moderate Income residents and areas of unincorporated Richland County.
Projected funding levels for the following categories include:
- Public Services | up to 15% of the total 2025 CDBG award - Allocated for youth programs, services catering to persons with disabilities, senior services, job training, housing counseling, homeless prevention programs, as well as general social and welfare programs designed for low- to moderate-income (LMI) individuals and households.
- Public Facilities, Infrastructure, and Slum & Blight | up to $800,000 - Allocated for enhancements to neighborhood and recreation facilities; improvements to streets and sidewalks in CDBG target areas; upgrades to sewer, wastewater, and infrastructure (including broadband) in CDBG target areas; improvements for handicap accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers; and initiatives for slum and blight removal.
Competitive Selection Process
This is a competitive grants process. The 30-Day Application Period begins Monday, March 10, 2025 during which eligible entities may submit Applications by 11:59 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025 for funding consideration.
To be considered, all applicants must register and attend one of the CDBG Informational Workshops hosted by Community Development staff. All proposed projects must align with the PY 25-26 CDBG Proposal Guidelines and 2022-2026 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, and meet all Federal HUD guidelines for CDBG eligible activities. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by both Richland County citizens and County staff for eligibility and alignment with HUD and County goals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the guidelines and reference documents linked at the bottom of this page before submitting proposals.
Submitting an Application for CDBG Funding
Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, and County Departments are invited to submit project proposals for Public Service, Public Facility Improvement, Infrastructure Improvement, and Slum and Blight Removal activities principally benefitting Low-to-Moderate Income residents and areas of unincorporated Richland County. To be considered, all applicants must register and attend one of the CDBG Informational Workshops hosted by Community Development staff.
Apply: Apply through Neighborly
Deadline: The deadline to apply for a CDBG Funding Application is 11:59 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Questions: Please contact the CDBG Grants Analyst Markus Smith at (803) 766-5190 or Smith.Markus@richlandcountysc.gov with any questions about the proposal process or determining if your project may be eligible for CDBG funding.
Mandatory Information Workshop
Kindly be aware that pre-registration and attendance at one of the workshops is required for all applicants. Organizations that received CDBG funds in PY24 or PY25 are not required, but are encouraged to attend.
Community Development staff will lead CDBG Information Workshops during the month of March 2025 to help applicants develop project proposals for CDBG funding. The goal is to equip applicants with knowledge to submit strong, compliant proposals and to ensure they understand the process for selection, and the requirements that come with partnering.
This mandatory training session will provide:
- An overview of the CDBG grant process
- Details on grant programs, project eligibility, application criteria
- Information on monitoring requirements
- Tips to develop a competitive proposal
- Opportunity to ask questions
For a recording of the 2025 CDBG Information Workshop, please contact Markus Smith at smith.markus@richlandcountysc.gov or you can make request by phone at 803-576-2230.
PY 2025-2026 Guidelines and Reference Documents
Information Session Slides
Mapping Tool to Identify County/Municipality Boundaries: Use this tool to identify addresses located in unincorporated Richland County
Mapping Tool to Identify Census Tracts and Block Group LMI Rates
CDBG Proposal Guidelines
CDBG Public Notice & NOFA
2024 Annual Action Plan (2024 funded projects found on pgs. 50-61)
2024-2025 Funded Projects
2023-2024 Funded Projects
Below, the Playing by the Rules handbook provides guidance for Community Development Block Grant sub-recipients on establishing administrative systems that meet federal requirements.
Playing by the Rules: A Handbook for CDBG Subrecipients on Administrative Systems
Questions: Please direct all questions to the Richland County CDBG Grants Analyst Markus Smith at (803) 766- 5190 or
Smith.Markus@richlandcountysc.gov.
Richland County does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability and handicapped status in the admission or access to, or in the treatment or employment within, its federally-assisted programs and activities.