Opportunity Information: Apply for FR 5500 N 33
Apply for FR 5500 N 33
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development in the community development housing sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Challenge Planning Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 6, 2011 and posted on Jul 27, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 16, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $28,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi State or multijurisdictional groupings.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community Challenge Planning Grant Program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help communities modernize local rules and planning practices that can unintentionally block affordable housing, mixed-use growth, and sustainable development. The core idea is to fund planning and policy reforms that make it easier for cities, counties, regions, and tribal jurisdictions to build places that are affordable to live in, economically resilient, and environmentally responsible. Rather than focusing on direct construction, the program targets the upstream decisions that shape what gets built and where, such as comprehensive or master plans, zoning ordinances, and building codes.
The activities HUD highlights are primarily about removing barriers and updating local frameworks. That can include amending or replacing outdated master plans, rewriting zoning codes to allow a better mix of housing types and land uses, and revising building codes that may unnecessarily increase costs or prevent adaptive reuse. The reforms can be applied across an entire jurisdiction or targeted to a specific area such as a neighborhood, downtown district, transit corridor, or other defined sector where change is most needed. The program specifically encourages approaches that support mixed-use development, expand opportunities for affordable housing, and promote the reuse of older buildings and structures for new purposes, which can preserve community character while reducing waste and infrastructure costs.
A major emphasis is also placed on planning tools that lead to measurable affordability outcomes. In particular, the program supports the development and adoption of inclusionary zoning ordinances and related strategies that require or incentivize the creation of affordable units as part of new residential development. It also supports other activities that help move planning from paper to practice, meaning efforts that strengthen implementation capacity, align regulations with community goals, and create a clearer pathway for sustainable, equitable development to actually occur.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number FR 5500 N 33 and is offered through a cooperative agreement, which generally means HUD expects a more active role than in a standard grant, such as collaboration, oversight, or technical involvement during the project. The funding activity category is Community Development Housing. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, so applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on HUD rules in the full notice) as part of the project budget and commitment.
In terms of funding scale, HUD estimated total available funding at $28,000,000. Individual awards ranged from a floor of $100,000 up to a ceiling of $3,000,000, allowing both smaller jurisdictions and larger regional efforts to compete. The opportunity was posted on July 27, 2011, created September 6, 2011, with an original closing date of September 9, 2011 that was later extended to September 16, 2011. The archive date is September 23, 2011, indicating this is a past funding round rather than an open solicitation today.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments (including U.S. territories), tribal governments, political subdivisions of state or local governments, and multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groupings. In practical terms, this points to broad eligibility for public-sector entities that can influence land use, housing policy, and local regulatory systems, including regional collaborations that cross municipal boundaries. The listing notes "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the specific categories emphasized are governmental and intergovernmental entities, so any non-government partner would typically need to participate through a government-led application or a permitted structure described in the full announcement.
For application materials, the notice references downloading the application and instructions using the CFDA number only (as stated in the posting), which reflects how HUD structured access to the full package at the time. For technical issues accessing the announcement, the listed contact is Sunarr K. Marshall at (202) 402-6011.
Community Challenge Planning Grant Program (HUD) - FAQs
What is the Community Challenge Planning Grant Program?
The Community Challenge Planning Grant Program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discretionary grant opportunity focused on helping communities modernize local rules and planning practices that can unintentionally block affordable housing, mixed-use growth, and sustainable development.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The program is designed to fund planning and policy reforms that make it easier for jurisdictions to create places that are affordable to live in, economically resilient, and environmentally responsible. It focuses on the upstream decisions that shape what gets built and where (for example, planning documents and local regulatory frameworks), rather than paying for direct construction.
Does this program fund the construction of housing?
No. Based on the description provided, the program targets planning and policy changes (such as comprehensive plans, zoning, and codes) that influence development outcomes, instead of funding direct construction activities.
What kinds of activities does HUD highlight as eligible or encouraged?
HUD highlights activities that remove barriers and update local frameworks, including:
- Amending or replacing outdated comprehensive, master, or similar plans
- Rewriting zoning ordinances to allow a better mix of housing types and land uses
- Revising building codes that may unnecessarily increase costs or prevent adaptive reuse
- Supporting mixed-use development
- Expanding opportunities for affordable housing
- Promoting reuse of older buildings and structures for new purposes
- Strengthening implementation capacity so planning can move from paper to practice
What does "upstream decisions" mean in the context of this grant?
It refers to the rules, plans, and policies that determine what can be built, where it can be built, and under what conditions. Examples mentioned include comprehensive or master plans, zoning ordinances, and building codes.
Can the proposed reforms apply to only part of a jurisdiction, or must they be jurisdiction-wide?
Reforms can be applied across an entire jurisdiction or targeted to a specific area. Examples of targeted areas mentioned include a neighborhood, downtown district, transit corridor, or other defined sector where change is most needed.
Does the program specifically support inclusionary zoning?
Yes. The description emphasizes planning tools that lead to measurable affordability outcomes and specifically supports the development and adoption of inclusionary zoning ordinances and related strategies that require or incentivize the creation of affordable units as part of new residential development.
What types of affordability-related outcomes are emphasized?
The program places major emphasis on planning tools that lead to measurable affordability outcomes, including approaches such as inclusionary zoning and related strategies that require or incentivize affordable units in new residential development.
What does "adaptive reuse" mean in this grant context?
In context, adaptive reuse refers to reusing older buildings and structures for new purposes. The program encourages this approach because it can preserve community character while reducing waste and infrastructure costs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR 5500 N 33.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category listed is Community Development Housing.
What type of award instrument is used?
The opportunity is offered through a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates HUD expects a more active role than in a standard grant, such as collaboration, oversight, or technical involvement during the project.
Is there a match or cost-sharing requirement?
Yes. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources as part of the project budget and commitment. The description notes this could include cash and/or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on HUD rules in the full notice.
How much total funding was available?
HUD estimated total available funding at $28,000,000 for this opportunity.
What was the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards ranged from a minimum (floor) of $100,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $3,000,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- Local governments (including U.S. territories)
- Tribal governments
- Political subdivisions of state or local governments
- Multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groupings
Are non-government organizations eligible to apply directly?
The listing notes "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the categories emphasized are governmental and intergovernmental entities. Based on the information provided, a non-government partner would typically participate through a government-led application or through a permitted structure described in the full announcement.
Can regional collaborations apply?
Yes. Eligibility includes multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groupings, which supports regional collaborations that cross municipal boundaries.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on July 27, 2011, and created on September 6, 2011. The original closing date was September 9, 2011, and it was later extended to September 16, 2011.
Is this an open funding opportunity right now?
No. The archive date is September 23, 2011, which indicates this is a past funding round rather than an open solicitation today.
How were application materials accessed?
The notice references downloading the application and instructions using the CFDA number only (as stated in the posting), reflecting how HUD structured access to the full package at the time.
Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?
For technical issues accessing the announcement, the listed contact is Sunarr K. Marshall at (202) 402-6011.
What kinds of local documents and regulations could this grant help update?
Examples mentioned include comprehensive or master plans, zoning ordinances, and building codes, particularly where they may be outdated or may unintentionally increase costs, prevent mixed-use growth, limit housing types, or block adaptive reuse.
What does "moving planning from paper to practice" mean here?
It refers to activities that strengthen implementation capacity, align regulations with community goals, and create a clearer pathway for sustainable and equitable development to actually occur, beyond simply producing planning documents.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FR 5500 N 33) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Pre Application Apply for FR 5500 N 30PA Funding Number: FR 5500 N 30PA Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Energy Innovation Fund Multifamily Pilot Program Apply for FR 5505 N 01 Funding Number: FR 5505 N 01 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Continuum of Care Apply for FR 5500 N 34 Funding Number: FR 5500 N 34 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program FULL APPLICATION Apply for FR 5500 N 30FA Funding Number: FR 5500 N 30FA Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Notice of HUDs Fiscal Year 2012 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Policy Requirements and General Section to HUDs FY 12 NOFAs Discretionary Program Apply for FR 5600 N 01 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 01 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| McKinney Vento HMIS Technical Assistance Apply for FR 5500 N 29 Funding Number: FR 5500 N 29 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Neighborhood Stabilization Program Apply for FR 5499 N 01 Funding Number: FR 5499 N 01 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Housing Counseling Program Apply for FR 5600 N 25 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 25 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Section 202 Demonstration Pre Development Grant Program Apply for FR 5564 N 01 Funding Number: FR 5564 N 01 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grants Apply for FR 5600 N 19 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 19 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Transformation Initiative Choice Neighborhoods Demonstration Small Research Grant Program Apply for FR 5600 N 17 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 17 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 Technical Assistance and Capacity Building under the TI OneCPD Apply for FR 5600 N 32 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 32 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators Program Apply for FR 5600 N 30 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 30 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $729,000 |
| Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grants Apply for FR 5600 N 10 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 10 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Performance Based Contract Administration (PBCA) Program for the Administration of Project Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Contracts Apply for FR 5600 NJ 33 Funding Number: FR 5600 NJ 33 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rural Housing Preservation Grants Apply for USDA RD HCFP HPG 2012 Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP HPG 2012 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program Apply for FR 5600 N 28 Funding Number: FR 5600 N 28 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Apply for FR 5700 N 04A Funding Number: FR 5700 N 04A Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program Apply for FR 5700 N 04B Funding Number: FR 5700 N 04B Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program Apply for FR 5700 N 07 Funding Number: FR 5700 N 07 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Housing Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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