NOFA FY 27-28 - Community Development Division Funding Handbook for Non-Profits, Housing Developers, and For-Profit Organizations

The City of Bakersfield's Community Development Division is soliciting applications for FY 2027-28 funding under HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs, with applications due December 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. The HOME program sets aside 15 percent of funds for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). The handbook is addressed to non-profits, housing developers, and for-profit organizations, and the source lists Kern County as the jurisdiction. Firms must download the full RFQ/P specifications from the Documents tab.

Funding priorities align with the City's 2025-30 Consolidated Plan: affordable housing, homelessness prevention, economic development, community infrastructure, and vital services. CDBG requests must total at least $25,000, and at least 70 percent of CDBG funds must benefit low- and moderate-income persons. HOME funds serve as gap financing with affordability periods of 5 to 20 years, depending on subsidy level. ESG requires dollar-for-dollar matching contributions from applicants, and street outreach combined with emergency shelter spending is capped at 60 percent of the annual grant. Eligible ESG activities include emergency shelters, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing.

Applicants must submit one original and one digital copy of completed applications in prescribed formats. Required exhibits include a signed cover letter, certification statement, organizational capacity documentation, project budgets, and authorizing resolutions from governing bodies. Applicants must demonstrate site control and provide cost estimates certified by architects or engineers for construction projects. Projects must comply with federal environmental review, Davis-Bacon wage requirements for covered construction, Section 3 employment provisions when applicable, Build America Buy America requirements for public infrastructure, and HUD Section 504 accessibility standards.

Proposed activities go to the Budget and Finance Committee in February 2027, followed by a 30-day public notice in March 2027 and City Council approval targeted for April 2027. The FY 2027-28 Action Plan goes to HUD in May 2027. The City will not issue funding until at least September 2027 and will not reimburse pre-award expenses or authorize project spending before a written Notice to Proceed follows environmental review and agreement execution.