The Community Development Administration (CDA) of St. Louis has officially opened a public comment period for the draft 2025 Neighborhood Transformation Grants Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs), which aims to give community initiatives the push they need with a new injection of funding targeted at fostering development in Qualified Census Tracts and Economic Justice Index areas. The grants set out to fund projects that could transform the landscape of affordable housing production, both rental and for sale, along with permanent supportive housing, and help actualize neighborhood plans.
Organizations that are eligible to apply for these funds include non-profit units, Community Development Corporations, home builders, construction contractors, and neighborhood associations. Details of the grant offerings, which were released in a draft format yesterday, include "DRAFT Affordable Housing Production: Rental and For Sale," the "DRAFT HOME-ARP Permanent Supportive Housing," the "DRAFT PRO Housing NOFA," and the "DRAFT Neighborhood Plan Implementation." Intended to encourage local involvement, the CDA has called upon residents, stakeholders, and local organizations to offer their thoughts and suggestions on these provisional guidelines, as per the City of St. Louis.
According to the City of St. Louis' official announcement, the CDA has scheduled a public hearing where staff will present the draft NOFAs, field questions, and accept public comments. If interested parties cannot attend in person, they have the option to join a hybrid meeting via a Zoom link provided by the CDA. The public hearing is set for next Monday, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at 1520 Market St., Suite 2000, in the Boardroom.
The CDA will accept written commentary up until 5:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing. Those who wish to submit their thoughts can do so by mail at Community Development Administration (CDA), 1520 Market St., Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103, or by email at [email protected]. Following the closure of the commentary period, the final NOFAs are scheduled to be published on March 14, 2025, which will also mark the opening of the application portal. The allotted time for applications will then extend through June 13, ensuring a relatively broad window for potential applicants to submit their proposals.
The CDA will also offer training sessions and workshops to guide applicants through the NOFA process, with details to be announced shortly. Those interested in staying informed about these upcoming educational opportunities, and other updates, can sign up for the CDA newsletter. This initiative represents an opportunity for meaningful community-led growth and development within St. Louis, by leveraging the tools and resources provided by the local government in an attempt to elevate the living conditions and collaborative potential within its diverse neighborhoods.
