Sonoma County Community Development Commission Notice of Funding Availability

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission (SCCDC) has released its Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Fiscal Year 2026–2027, inviting applications from eligible organizations for federal and local funding programs. These funds are intended to support initiatives that benefit lower-income households, particularly in the areas of affordable housing, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter operations, tenant-based rental assistance, and fair housing services. The Commission is the designated administrator of several federal and county funding streams and oversees the equitable distribution of resources aligned with the County’s Consolidated Plan and strategic housing goals. The NOFA includes five primary funding sources. From federal programs, the Commission administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). CDBG funds, estimated at $3,145,583, can support capital projects, affordable housing, economic development, and fair housing (with $247,872 allocated specifically to public services focused on fair housing). HOME funds, totaling approximately $743,322, target affordable rental housing and tenant-based rental assistance, while an additional $99,090 is designated for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). ESG funding, at $134,780, supports homelessness-related services, including outreach, emergency shelter operations, and rapid rehousing, with $87,424 earmarked for shelter and outreach. All federally funded activities are subject to requirements such as environmental reviews under NEPA and Section 3, as well as compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act unless exempt. Local funding programs under this NOFA include the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund (LMIHAF), providing $250,000 for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing, and the County Fund for Housing (CFH), offering a substantial $8,000,000 for a range of affordable housing initiatives. CFH supports development and preservation of permanent supportive housing, transitional and emergency housing, group homes, and homeownership projects serving special needs populations. All applicants are expected to demonstrate project readiness, and preference is given to proposals that are construction-ready. All applications must be submitted through the Commission’s designated online portal. To gain access, attendance at a mandatory Technical Assistance (TA) workshop is required. Two virtual workshops are scheduled: March 4, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. and March 5, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. Applicants unable to attend either session must coordinate with Commission staff to fulfill this requirement. Submissions are due by 5:00 P.M. on April 3, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Following submission, applications will be reviewed by Commission staff and discussed during a public meeting held jointly by the Community Development (CD) Committee and the Cities and Towns Advisory Committee (CTAC) on May 13, 2026. Attendance at this meeting is also mandatory for applicants. Final recommendations will be made at a public hearing on June 17, 2026. The Board of Supervisors is tentatively scheduled to review and approve funding allocations on July 7, 2026. Federal funding applicants must also comply with all applicable regulations and policies outlined in the Federal Funding Policies guide. Prospective applicants should review all funding policies and plans available on the Commission’s website to ensure alignment with program objectives. For questions or to RSVP for TA workshops, applicants may contact Matthew Burns at [email protected] or 707-565-1268. The Commission emphasizes its commitment to supporting proposals that are well-aligned with local housing needs and community development priorities and that demonstrate strong readiness and compliance with all applicable federal and local requirements.

Read all funding policies; align with Consolidated Plan; show project readiness.