CDBG_PRO_HOUSING_Zoning_RFP_FAQs.pdf

CDBG PRO Housing Office Hours Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) The following questions were asked by municipalities during the Office Hours held the week of March 16, 2026 for Round One. The FAQ has been updated for Round Two.

Q: If a municipality already has a contract with a consultant, can PRO Housing funds be used to pay for that consultant’s work?

A: Potentially yes, if the consultant work is for eligible PRO Housing activities, the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable, and the procurement complies with applicable federal requirements, including 2 CFR Part 200. Dane County may request contract and procurement documentation to verify compliance.

PRO Housing funds may be used for a consultant’s work if it represents a new or expanded scope directly related to the proposed PRO Housing activities. Funds generally may not be used to pay for work that is already completed, already obligated, or otherwise covered by another committed funding source.

Q: Can CDBG PRO Housing funds be used if funding for the project has already been budgeted by the municipality?

A: PRO Housing funds may not be used to supplant any federal, state, local, or private funds that have been previously budgeted, committed, or expended for the proposed activities.

However, projects that already have funding in place may still be eligible if PRO Housing funds are used to supplement existing resources. For example, funds may be used to:

• Expand the scope of the project;

• Enhance project quality or outcomes; or

• Accelerate the project timeline beyond what existing funding would support.

Applicants must show how that PRO Housing funds will result in a net increase in investment or impact, and that the proposed activities could not occur without the PRO Housing funds.

The County will review funding sources and project budgets to ensure compliance with this requirement.

Q: How detailed does the information need to be for the project and project activities need to be in the logic model?

A: Applicants should provide enough detail to enable Dane County to understand what the project and project activities are and what is expected to be completed.

Q: What if things for the projects change after submission?

A: The project may not be able to move forward if there is a substantial change to the project after submission, which includes, but is not limited to, a change in the budget being asked for, project activities, or large changes in projected outcomes. A discussion with Dane County will be required to determine project feasibility and whether they would have been selected for funding if the proposed changes to the project had been included in the submitted application.

Q: How is leverage documented?

A: The budget has space to add the leverage for the application. Documentation confirming leverage commitment will be required during contracting.

Q: If there is a comprehensive redistricting and zone change, and a zone has a neutral impact or a decrease in zoned capacity of the number of homes, respectively, is this still able to be considered for funding?

A: As long as the entire comprehensive redistricting or zone change has a net increase, the activity can be considered for funding.

Q: What happens if the activity reaches the approval stage, but ends up not being adopted?

A: This will depend on the situation and whether a portion is adopted or noted. Specifics can be discussed during the contract negotiations.

Q: One of the examples in the presentation was for proposals to eliminate fees for affordable housing.

Does it have to be the elimination of fees, or can they be reduced?

A: Not necessarily. One eligible activity refers to restructuring fee schedules to eliminate burdensome costs for affordable housing development, but there is also a separate eligible activity for proposals to eliminate, subsidize, waive, or otherwise reduce subdivision-related fees or costs. Eligibility will depend on the type of fee and how the activity fits within the listed eligible activities.

Q: What needs to be reported?

A: Reporting will differ based on the activities planned, but in general they will be items such as:

• Monthly status reports documenting progress toward milestones, upcoming activities, and any risks or delays

• Milestone-based progress reports tied to project timelines

• Submission of adopted ordinances, resolutions, or implementation materials

• Final report summarizing outcomes, housing impacts, and lessons learned

• Performance measures (report cumulative totals, as applicable):

• Others as required by Federal, State, or County requirements.

CDBG PRO Housing Office Hours Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)