The HOPE VI Main Street Program provides grants to small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district or “Main Street” area by replacing vacant, unused space in buildings with affordable housing units.  The objectives of the program are to:

• Redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas);

• Preserve Historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units;

• Enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas;

• Provide affordable housing in Main Street areas.

Main Street grant funds can be used to build new affordable housing or reconfigure obsolete or surplus commercial space (or extremely substandard, vacant housing) into affordable housing units. The grant funds cannot be used on general infrastructure or commercial development. Main Street housing units must be affordable to the initial residents that occupy the Main Street housing project, as described in the Use Restrictions section of this NOFA. The funds in the NOFA must be used to assist Units of Local Government that have existing Main Street area rejuvenation projects and meet the population and public housing unit limits stated in the Eligibility section of this NOFA. For more on the HOPE VI Main Street Grants, CLICK HERE.

Eligibility: Properties may be publicly or privately owned. However, the local government whose jurisdiction includes the Main Street area is the only entity that is eligible to receive an award. Applications from other entities, e.g., the private property owner, are not eligible for award. Eligible applicants under this NOFA are limited to Units of General Local Government. It does not include Native American governments or Public Housing Authorities. Eligible Local Governments must have a population of 50,000 or less and not be served by a local or county/parish Public Housing Agency (PHA) that administers more than 100 physical public housing units within the local government’s jurisdiction.

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Deadline: April 12, 2016

Apply: CLICK HERE to view the announcement and access the application.

Photo courtesy of Freaktography