Commission forms subcommittee to review grant NOA process and critical needs list

The Social Services Commission voted June 1 to form a subcommittee charged with reviewing the city’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOA) process for federal community development funds and recommending updates to grant minimums, multi‑year award options and a refreshed critical needs list.

Director Bailey told the commission the NOA typically opens in September, with applications due around December and funding decisions by March. Bailey said HUD rules constrain how funds can be used and that the city’s program must serve low‑income residents; CDBG public services are limited to 15 percent of CDBG funds and HOME has separate rules. "We generally share the information as far and wide as we possibly can," Bailey said, describing the technical assistance the city offers applicants.

Commissioners discussed whether to raise the minimum grant (currently $7,000), to allow multi‑year awards for stability, and how administrative burdens can make small awards less useful to nonprofits. One commissioner observed that smaller nonprofits may spend a large share of a small award on administrative overhead, and suggested exploring fiscal agent models or larger consolidated grants.

After discussion about timing and capacity, commissioners moved to form a subcommittee, with two commissioners volunteering to serve. Director Bailey said she will return in August with details about timelines and the critical needs assessment process to inform the subcommittee’s work.

The commission also noted a carryover approach used in past cycles and that changes to allocation methods could be phased: staff suggested leaving the current NOA process in place for the coming cycle while using the subcommittee’s work to shape subsequent years’ approach.