Lodi committee previews CDBG NOFA: capital projects prioritized; applications due Jan. 27

Carrie Chadwick, the presenter for the Lodi Improvement Committee, told members that the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is scheduled to be released on Dec. 8 and that application presentations to the committee are planned for Jan. 13, with applications due Jan. 27.

The committee was told this program year is the second year of a two-year public-services cycle, so only capital projects will be eligible to apply. Chadwick said examples of capital projects funded previously include upgraded security cameras for the Salvation Army and painting at a Lodi House residence, and staff cited an alley project as a city capital project funded through CDBG.

"This is a second year of a two-year cycle for our public services funding; only capital projects will be able to apply for the funding this year," Chadwick said during the presentation. She also told the committee staff estimates the capital-improvement allocation at about $550,000 and that a larger allocation (around $600,000) would allow the city to increase awards.

Why it matters: CDBG funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and must meet one of three national objectives (principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons; prevent/eliminate blight; or meet an urgent need). Chadwick said the program’s low- and moderate-income threshold is roughly 80% of area median income for this jurisdiction.

Chadwick laid out application and award requirements: applicants must demonstrate how their project meets a national objective and scoring criteria (alignment with goals, readiness to proceed, leverage of other funding, cost reasonableness, past performance and completeness). Staff will score capital projects; the Lodi Improvement Committee will score public-services applications when those are in scope. Awardees must sign a subrecipient agreement, provide proof of insurance, maintain supporting documentation and submit quarterly reports; records must be retained for five years. Chadwick said CDBG agreements will run from 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2027.

Committee members asked about last year’s allocations and outreach to smaller nonprofits. One member noted that publicity ‘‘is not out there’’ beyond the city website and paper, and urged broader outreach so new providers can learn about and compete for funds. Chadwick and other staff acknowledged the paperwork and reporting requirements can deter smaller organizations and said staff publishes notices in the paper and on the city website and can follow up on simple missing items (for example, replacing locked documents) but cannot help applicants complete their submissions.

"It's very important that the entity make sure that they're able to meet all the requirements and reporting," Chadwick said, emphasizing HUD monitoring expectations and post-award accountability.

The committee discussed offering a training workshop in the future to help nonprofits navigate the application process; staff suggested adding a workshop to next year’s outreach goals to coincide with the next two-year public-services cycle.

Procedural note: at the start of the meeting the committee approved minutes for multiple prior meetings by motion (moved by a committee member and seconded) and recorded a 4–0 vote in favor.

What's next: NOFA release on Dec. 8, optional applicant presentations to the committee on Jan. 13, and applications due Jan. 27. Staff and the committee will review submitted packets, independently score applications and meet to discuss recommended awards before forwarding recommendations to the City Council.