Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program

Rural Capacity Building Program Summary

Through the funding of national organizations with expertise in rural housing and community development, the Rural Capacity Building Program enhances the capacity and ability of local governments, Indian tribes, housing development organizations, rural Community Development Corporations (CDCs), and rural Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas.

RCAC ran a tribal housing academy using RCB grant funds to support tribal development organizations through early stage development projects. Assistance and education provided to the Santo Domingo Housing Authority (SDHA) helped the organization to better scope their project, work through development obstacles, and understand how to access necessary resources and funding. As a result of this capacity building assistance, SDHA broke ground on a 41 unit affordable rental housing development that will also include a community center, daycare facility, recreation space, community gardens, and access to commuter rail transit.

With financial assistance from the Housing Assistance Council’s RCB grant supported loan fund, the Western Region Nonprofit Housing Corporation renovated a 62-unit apartment complex to provide much needed housing for low income families in Moscow, Idaho.

With financial assistance from the Housing Assistance Council’s RCB grant supported loan fund, the Western Region Nonprofit Housing Corporation renovated a 62-unit apartment complex to provide much needed housing for low income families in Moscow, Idaho.

FY 2016 Notice of Funding Availability

HUD awarded five competitive grants totaling $5,000,000 for the FY 2016 Rural Capacity Building Competition. The following organizations received awards:

Award Recipient	Award Amount
Rural Community Assistance Corp.	$1,174,365
National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders	$1,000,000
Minnesota Housing Partnership	$978,791
Housing Assistance Council	$778,923
Collaborative Solutions, Inc.	$567,921
Economic Consultants for Housing Opportunities, Inc.	$500,000
Total	$5,000,000

FY 2015 Notice of Funding Availability

On December 4, 2015, HUD awarded five competitive grants totaling $5,000,000 for the FY 2015 Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program (Rural Capacity Building) Competition. The following organizations received awards:

State	Award Recipient	Award
CA	Rural Community Assistance Corporation	$1,287,030
AL	Collaborative Solutions, Inc.	$1,271,277
MN	Minnesota Housing Partnership	$1,050,912
TX	National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders	$705,674
DC	Housing Assistance Council	$685,107
Total		$5,000,000

Eligible Activities

Funds may be used to provide the following activities:

Technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the business and administrative capabilities of rural community-based housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes
Loans, grants, or other financial assistance to rural community-based housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, and local governments in addition to Indian tribes to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families and persons, including the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for low-income families and persons, and community and economic development activities that create jobs for low-income persons
Such other activities as may be determined by the grantees in consultation with the Secretary or his or her designee.

Additional Information

The Office of Policy Development and Coordination in HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development administers the competition.

For information, contact capacitybuilding@hud.gov.

Rural Gateway

The Rural Gateway is an information clearinghouse providing technical assistance, training workshops, and peer learning and resource sharing to support rural housing and economic development.