Affordable Housing Program

The 2025 Affordable Housing Program Grant, administered by the Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development (NCDCED), is designed to increase the availability and sustainability of quality affordable housing for residents of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The funds originate from Ordinance 322 of 1998 and are authorized under Pennsylvania Act 1992-137. This competitive grant process targets individuals and families earning up to 80% of the county’s median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Income Limits for 2025. Funding is available to support a variety of housing initiatives, including the creation, retention, and improvement of both rental and owner-occupied housing. Eligible uses include pre-development, site preparation, planning, and construction activities. The program also supports transitional housing services and emergency housing providers by funding operations, personnel, renovations, and repairs. For projects involving subsidies, mechanisms such as revolving loan funds must be in place to recapture public investment. All awarded funds must be spent on eligible costs occurring during the 2026 calendar year. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, public agencies, local governments, government authorities, and for-profit developers specializing in low-income housing. Applicants must adhere to nondiscrimination provisions, state and federal procurement requirements, and reporting rules. Grant recipients are required to maintain accurate records, participate in audits, and comply with income verification protocols for a minimum of five years for affordable housing projects. Past grantees with unresolved grant obligations may be deemed ineligible. Each applicant may request up to $50,000 per project, though the county reserves the right to adjust funding levels at its discretion. Reimbursement will occur through NCDCED’s Neighborly platform, contingent upon submission of supporting documentation, including invoices and proof of expenditures. Construction and capital improvement projects may be subject to prevailing wage requirements and competitive bidding rules as detailed in the guidelines. Organizations are also encouraged to provide contingency plans in case partial funding is awarded. Applications must be submitted through the Neighborly Participant Portal between 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025. The application includes a detailed project budget and narrative, match source information if applicable, documentation of nonprofit status, audited financials, and organizational background. Construction projects must include permit statuses and any existing contracts. Proposals will be evaluated based on project need, use of funds, organizational capacity, partnerships, community impact, and long-term affordability outcomes. Applicants selected for funding will receive notification in December 2025 and must provide a certificate of insurance naming Northampton County as an additional insured party. Questions regarding the program should be directed to Sarah Ortiz, Community & Economic Development Specialist, at 610-829-6308 or via email at sortiz@norcopa.gov. All grant-funded activities must be completed within the 2026 calendar year.

Ensure all attachments, including cost estimates, are uploaded. Match is not required but helpful. Submit through Neighborly by the deadline. Partial funding may occur; include contingency plans.