Competitive Process FAQs
What is the mission of the Competitive Process?
The City’s goal in allocating funding is to enhance the community's sustainability by addressing needs among our citizens who are income-challenged. Stabilized families and individuals increase neighborhood quality. That, in turn, leads to a healthier, more vibrant Fort Collins. Twice a year, through the Competitive Process, the City of Fort Collins allocates federal and local funds for eligible affordable housing, community development, human services, and related activities. The Fall cycle is limited to housing activities.
Where does the money come from? The City distributes money from two federal and two local funding streams. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) sources are:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
The City General Fund sources are:
• Human Services Program (HSP)
• Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)
How does the funding flow work?
Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and Human Services Program (HSP) monies are from the City’s General Fund. Amounts available vary with budget cycles and economic conditions. CDBG and HOME dollars are federal funding. In recent years, yearly CDBG funds have averaged around $1 million, and HOME monies have been between $600,000-$700,000. The program year for using funding runs from October 1st to September 30th for most programs and projects. Some housing projects may have different time lines. A contract must be executed before dollars can be available for reimbursement to you. Financial requests are submitted to the Advance Planning Department. Reimbursement is made to your organization usually within a 2-3 week time frame.
Who can apply?
Funds are not available for individuals, but are available for:
• non-profit, IRS-designated 501(c)(3) agencies in good standing,
• housing authorities,
• affordable housing developers (non-profit and for-profit), and
• cooperative groups of organizations with an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) agency as fiscal agent.
What population must my project/program serve?
For all cases, programs or activities must serve a majority of people (51% or more) who are below 80% AMI (Area Median Income), with a primary focus on lower-income residents (usually below 50% AMI). Find current HUD income limits on the developments incentives page at fcgov.com/socialsustainability/developmentincentives.php. If your organization exclusively serves a special population such as the homeless, or those with disabilities, income reporting documentation is a little more flexible. Download Client “Presumed Benefit” Categories (at the top left of this page under Downloads) to see if your application qualifies.
In addition, for HOME funds, eligible projects are limited to “bricks and sticks” housing activities. For CDBG, the proposal must meet one of the three national objectives:
1) benefit low- and moderate-income persons,
2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, and/or
3) meet community development needs having a particular urgency.
Funds are distributed for programs located in Fort Collins and serving residents here. If your organization’s service area goes beyond our community, funds are proportionately applied for and allocated for service to Fort Collins clients.
What activities are eligible?
There’s a chart of eligible activities at the top left of this page under Downloads. Also please note: public service funds are usually geared towards items such as direct service staff salaries, or fee scholarships to clients (healthcare and childcare). It is extremely complicated to apply for administrative salaries, and we advise against it. The City’s definitions may differ from those of other funders, or even your professional protocol. Please download our Activities Definitions & Guidelines (at the top left of this page under Downloads) to make sure you’re on board with our targets.
The City CANNOT contribute towards:
• staff positions that are fundraising in nature,
• operational equipment that is movable (computers, furniture), or
• operational supplies that are consumable (office supplies).
You will also need to know about some other definitions in order to successfully complete the application. Please download our Competitive Process Definitions (at the top right of this page under Downloads).
What is the mission of the Competitive Process?
The City’s goal in allocating funding is to enhance the community's sustainability by addressing needs among our citizens who are income-challenged. Stabilized families and individuals increase neighborhood quality. That, in turn, leads to a healthier, more vibrant Fort Collins. Twice a year, through the Competitive Process, the City of Fort Collins allocates federal and local funds for eligible affordable housing, community development, human services, and related activities. The Fall cycle is limited to housing activities.
Downloads
![Adobe Acrobat]()
Activities Definitions & Guidelines
![Adobe Acrobat]()
Client “Presumed Benefit” Categories
![Adobe Acrobat]()
Competitive Process Definitions
![Adobe Acrobat]()
Eligible Activities
Where does the money come from?
Activities Definitions & GuidelinesClient “Presumed Benefit” CategoriesCompetitive Process DefinitionsEligible Activities
Where does the money come from? The City distributes money from two federal and two local funding streams. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) sources are:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
The City General Fund sources are:
• Human Services Program (HSP)
• Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)
How does the funding flow work?
Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and Human Services Program (HSP) monies are from the City’s General Fund. Amounts available vary with budget cycles and economic conditions. CDBG and HOME dollars are federal funding. In recent years, yearly CDBG funds have averaged around $1 million, and HOME monies have been between $600,000-$700,000. The program year for using funding runs from October 1st to September 30th for most programs and projects. Some housing projects may have different time lines. A contract must be executed before dollars can be available for reimbursement to you. Financial requests are submitted to the Advance Planning Department. Reimbursement is made to your organization usually within a 2-3 week time frame.
Who can apply?
Funds are not available for individuals, but are available for:
• non-profit, IRS-designated 501(c)(3) agencies in good standing,
• housing authorities,
• affordable housing developers (non-profit and for-profit), and
• cooperative groups of organizations with an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) agency as fiscal agent.
What population must my project/program serve?
For all cases, programs or activities must serve a majority of people (51% or more) who are below 80% AMI (Area Median Income), with a primary focus on lower-income residents (usually below 50% AMI). Find current HUD income limits on the developments incentives page at fcgov.com/socialsustainability/developmentincentives.php. If your organization exclusively serves a special population such as the homeless, or those with disabilities, income reporting documentation is a little more flexible. Download Client “Presumed Benefit” Categories (at the top left of this page under Downloads) to see if your application qualifies.
In addition, for HOME funds, eligible projects are limited to “bricks and sticks” housing activities. For CDBG, the proposal must meet one of the three national objectives:
1) benefit low- and moderate-income persons,
2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, and/or
3) meet community development needs having a particular urgency.
Funds are distributed for programs located in Fort Collins and serving residents here. If your organization’s service area goes beyond our community, funds are proportionately applied for and allocated for service to Fort Collins clients.
What activities are eligible?
There’s a chart of eligible activities at the top left of this page under Downloads. Also please note: public service funds are usually geared towards items such as direct service staff salaries, or fee scholarships to clients (healthcare and childcare). It is extremely complicated to apply for administrative salaries, and we advise against it. The City’s definitions may differ from those of other funders, or even your professional protocol. Please download our Activities Definitions & Guidelines (at the top left of this page under Downloads) to make sure you’re on board with our targets.
The City CANNOT contribute towards:
• staff positions that are fundraising in nature,
• operational equipment that is movable (computers, furniture), or
• operational supplies that are consumable (office supplies).
You will also need to know about some other definitions in order to successfully complete the application. Please download our Competitive Process Definitions (at the top right of this page under Downloads).