Community Development Block Grant Public Service

The City of Shreveport, through its Department of Community Development, is administering its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service program to support eligible projects serving low- and moderate-income residents. This program is federally funded under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and regulated by HUD at 24 CFR 570. The City is charged with ensuring compliance with HUD’s three national objectives: benefitting low- and moderate-income persons, aiding in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or addressing urgent community needs. Funding levels depend on HUD’s allocation to the City, with a total of $295,000 available for this competition. The program is intended to strengthen Shreveport’s targeted neighborhoods by improving services that enhance housing stability, safety, health, and community wellbeing. The purpose of this NOFA is to solicit proposals from governmental and nonprofit entities with demonstrated capacity to deliver public services. The City restricts this opportunity to organizations with at least one year of operational history and proven experience in the service for which funding is sought. Proposals must demonstrate how the project benefits low- and moderate-income residents and how it aligns with priorities identified in Shreveport’s HUD-approved Consolidated Strategy Plan and Annual Action Plan. Projects must be located in one of nineteen designated CDBG Targeted Neighborhoods, including Queensborough, Ledbetter Heights, Martin Luther King, Allendale, Lakeside, Ingleside, Mooretown, Stoner Hill, Cedar Grove, Greenwood Acres, Hollywood, Reisor, Solo Hood, Waterside, Caddo Heights, Werner Park, Sunset Acres, Cherokee Park, and Highland. The program will fund a wide range of eligible activities such as employment services, workforce development, health services, childcare, services for seniors and persons with disabilities, substance abuse treatment, education programs including literacy and ESL, homelessness services, crime prevention, and energy conservation counseling. Administrative costs are not allowable under this NOFA, and projects involving public facilities improvements must apply under a separate funding competition. All projects must either establish a new service or significantly expand an existing service beyond the prior twelve months of delivery. Applicants are also required to demonstrate resource leveraging and to provide a 25 percent match of total project costs, which may consist of cash or in-kind contributions from eligible sources. The application process requires submission by October 3, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. CST, either electronically via email or through hand delivery to the Department of Community Development. Only one application per organization is permitted. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and proposals must follow the format and forms provided by the City. Evaluation of eligible applications involves a two-tiered process, including a minimum eligibility review by City staff followed by an external review panel with expertise in community development and public services. Applicants must score at least 75 points to be considered for funding, though meeting this threshold does not guarantee an award. Evaluation criteria weigh project description, implementation plan, performance objectives and measures, applicant capacity, and budget and financial capacity. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of funding determinations. Awards will be contingent upon HUD’s allocation of CDBG funds to the City, the applicant’s timely execution of contracts, and provision of required insurance coverage naming the City as an additional insured. The grant period runs from October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026. Reimbursement is the sole payment method, meaning grantees must have adequate resources to cover upfront costs until approved expenses are reimbursed. Additionally, applicants are subject to public records disclosure under Louisiana law, conflict of interest provisions, and federal cost principles under 2 CFR Part 200. An informational workshop is scheduled for September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. While participation is not mandatory, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend and will be held responsible for information provided. All inquiries must be submitted in writing to cdproposals@shreveportla.gov with the subject line “2025 CDBG-PS Question.” During the procurement process, communication with City officials or evaluation committee members outside authorized channels is prohibited under a Cone of Silence rule and may disqualify applicants. Applicants must also maintain compliance with HUD income guidelines for all program beneficiaries, which are updated annually. The City expects all funded entities to comply with applicable HUD and City requirements, including insurance standards, financial accountability, and nondiscrimination provisions. Each applicant must demonstrate capacity, readiness to implement, and the ability to sustain or expand project services beyond the CDBG grant period. The NOFA places strong emphasis on leveraging additional resources, sound financial management, measurable outcomes, and alignment with community priorities to maximize the impact of federal funding within Shreveport’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Clearly document 25% match with letters of commitment; ensure project fits within one of 19 targeted neighborhoods; avoid administrative costs; align narrative with HUD national objectives and City’s Consolidated Plan