Community Impact Grants are intended to help localities start the planning and implementation process for development projects including affordable and workforce rental housing.  Localities are encouraged to leverage available resources and also utilize this grant to leverage additional funds.  

 

 

Eligible projects must fall within one of the following program priorities: 

 

Housing planning activities are critical to starting the development of affordable housing or incentivizing the incorporation of affordable housing as a component of neighborhood revitalization efforts. This grant program allows for different scales of planning activities to meet the diverse needs of communities across the state.

• Mixed-Use/Mixed-Income Planning – remains an eligible activity under this program to promote planning for local revitalization efforts including downtown and neighborhood transformation involving housing and non-housing uses such as retail, office, and public facilities.  These grants may also be used to support local planning efforts associated with HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods initiative and public housing transformation. 

 • Comprehensive Housing Planning – advances greater local affordable housing planning efforts in a comprehensive manner beyond mandated requirements including integration with local comprehensive land use planning and the HUD-mandated Consolidated Plan for housing and community development in entitlement communities.  May also assist targeted housing planning efforts related to such needs as homelessness, people with disabilities, and seniors housing.  

 

 

VHDA supports the efforts of localities to increase housing opportunities that improve the housing stock and quality of life in neighborhoods and communities across Virginia. Successful plan implementation is critical in bringing housing plans to action that result in housing and/or economic development opportunities. 

• The Implementation & Action Grant - supports localities engaged in a locally-driven action to transform distressed and revitalizing neighborhoods through the planning and implementation of early improvements such as improving vacant structures or assembling properties for a key transformative element of the local plan.  Examples of eligible projects include: 

o Planning and implementation of disaster recovery efforts;

o Planning and implementing incentives and other tools critical to spur and/or support the development of affordable housing development;

o Coordinating affordable housing development with other community/economic development activities.  

 

The Vibrant Communities Partnership represents our partnership with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as part of their Vibrant Communities Initiative (VCI).  DCHD launched the VCI to support local or regional comprehensive community-based projects including affordable housing and community and/or economic development components. The partnership allows for better funding coordination to maximize the limited resources available for advancing affordable housing to create vibrant communities. Applicants are encouraged to utilize their VCI Community Impact Grants to explore VHDA financing to further support their affordable housing and community/economic development efforts. For more information about VCI and how to apply for funding, please visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov. 

 

 

Housing Planning Grants funding will range up to $20,000 with the opportunity to add a supplemental grant of up to $10,000 for more complex or difficult projects.  Higher amounts may be available for grants serving multiple jurisdictions.

  

Funding for Implementation & Action Grants is up to a maximum of $ 250,000. The terms of each grant will be dependent upon the project’s scope and work plan timeline.

 

Vibrant Communities Partnership Grants are eligible for up to $250,000 in community impact funding with the terms and conditions based on the scope of the broader community impact effort and planning documentation. Please note that applications for these funds are through DHCD and funding announcements are available at www.dhcd.virginia.gov.

 

 

 

 

Eligible applicants must be located in the Commonwealth of Virginia and serve Virginia residents. Applicant must be one of the following organization types:

 

1. Local Government (City, County, or Incorporated Town),

2. Redevelopment and Housing Authority created under Title 36 of the Code of Virginia, OR the applicant must: 

3. Either constitute

a) A public entity (including but not necessarily limited to Planning District Commissions, Industrial Development Authorities, Economic Development Authorities, or similar public entities), or

b) A private non-profit organization with a public mission (including but not necessarily limited to Area Agency on Aging, Community Services Board, Center for Independent Living, Community Development Corporation, Community Housing Development Organization or similar entities); 

 

AND

The applicant must demonstrate the support of the locality as evidenced by a letter from the City/Town Manager or County Administrator.    

 

 

 

 

 Organizations not based in and serving Virginia

 Individuals

 For-Profit Organizations

 

Any of these entities may partner with an eligible applicant to perform the study or work; however, the application must be submitted by the local government or another public entity.

 

F. Application Process:

Due to funding availability, applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.  All final applications are reviewed monthly by an internal committee.

A Strategic Housing Initiatives program administrator is available to assist applicants with completing the application and performing due diligence associated with obtaining a VHDA loan.  Before submitting an application, contact Chris Thompson, Director of Strategic Housing, at (804) 343-5692. 

 

G.  Approval

Selected agencies will receive a Grant Award Notification (GAN) and a Grant Agreement if approved for funds under the award. Agencies must return the signature page of the Grant Agreement to VHDA with signature by an authorized representative prior to starting the award period.

All applicants have the option to submit a request at vhdagrants@vhda.com for a debriefing within thirty (30) days of approval or denial.