The City of Rochester Community Development Block Grant program is a federally funded initiative under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As an entitlement community, Rochester annually receives funding to support community development projects. These grants aim to enhance neighborhoods, spur economic development, and improve facilities and services for low- and moderate-income residents. The program prioritizes projects that align with HUD National Objectives—primarily those benefitting low/moderate-income individuals, preventing slums or blight, or responding to federally declared emergencies.
Eligible activities must meet federal HUD criteria and further goals outlined in the City’s FY21–FY25 Consolidated Plan. Projects must demonstrate their capacity to comply with HUD and CDBG regulations, with particular attention to public facilities, which must show readiness to begin within one year and be completed within two. Examples of presumed benefit clientele include abused or neglected children, homeless individuals, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and victims of domestic violence.
Expenses supported include costs of labor, supplies, and materials necessary for delivering services, with strict tracking requirements. Public facilities projects are also subject to federal labor laws such as the Davis-Bacon Act, environmental review mandates, and Build America Buy America (BABA) compliance. Applicants must submit three bids that reflect Davis-Bacon wage rates, and all HUD-regulated requirements must be observed from the date of application submission.
Applications must be submitted via email by 4:00 p.m. ET on November 21, 2025, with an intent to apply email due by October 27, 2025. The application will be reviewed through a competitive process involving the Community Development Division and Committee, with City Council making final funding decisions by June 2026. Applicants may be invited to present their proposals in person, which is recommended. Project selection is based on eligibility, alignment with community goals, and readiness to execute.
Technical assistance is available through the Community Development Coordinator, Kiersten Wright (Kiersten.Wright@RochesterNH.Gov, 603-335-7519). All applications must include a complete and signed form with detailed budget breakdowns, anticipated beneficiaries, outcome measures, and, for construction projects, detailed estimates and timelines. Recipients are expected to maintain financial transparency, adhere to federal audit protocols, and provide detailed expenditure records. Once awarded, funds may not be committed until the City releases them following environmental and administrative review.
Ensure early communication of intent; include all estimates; align clearly with HUD goals.
