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NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSION FOR 2026-2027 FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

January 23, 2026

Pinellas County is accepting applications for FY 2026-2027 housing and community development projects. Project funding assistance is available through federal, state and local grant programs as outlined below.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

Estimated FY 2026-2027 available funds are:

Federal Program ResourcesEntitlement/Program Income
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)$2,339,516
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)$1,924,297
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)$205,566
Additional Federal, State, Local ResourcesEntitlement/Program Income
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)$5,080,000
Housing Trust Fund (HTF)$325,000
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)$250,000

Confirmation of 2026 federal grant funding levels has not yet been received. Funding levels identified above are subject to change.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications will be accepted through the County’s online application portal.

Applications must be submitted through the online application portal and in “Application Submitted” status, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

The Federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, provides CDBG funds for projects that promote the development of viable, urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate-income (LMI).

Eligible Activities falling within identified priority needs:

  • Affordable housing development and preservation
  • Public facility improvement projects benefitting LMI residents (acquisition, construction, and/or rehabilitation)
  • Public infrastructure projects in targeted areas and special districts
  • Public service and operation activities benefitting LMI residents, including mental and behavioral health services, homeless shelters and services and special needs services

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, provides HOME funds for affordable housing activities including acquisition, rehabilitation and/or new construction of affordable housing.

Pinellas County is in a consortium with the City of Largo. The City of Largo receives a portion of the HOME funds as part of the Consortium and allocates funds to housing activities.

Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG)

The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), amending the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, provides ESG funds to address the needs of homeless people in emergency or transitional shelters and assist people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.

  • Eligible Activities falling within identified priority needs:
  • Homelessness prevention/rapid rehousing
  • Shelter operations/renovations
  • Street outreach

SELECTION CRITERIA

Activities must align with the County’s Consolidated Plan priorities and demonstrate:

  • Conceptual soundness and financial feasibility
  • Ability to implement funding and maintain compliance with applicable regulations
  • Community development value and measurable community impact
  • Engagement of residents or businesses meeting Section 3 requirements

JURISDICTION

  • Program funds must be used to benefits residents located in the following specific locations:
  • CDBG: Urban County (all unincorporated and incorporated areas excluding the city limits of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Belleair Shore, and Redington Beach)
  • HOME:  Urban County and the City of Largo
  • ESG: Urban County (excluding the city limits of St. Petersburg)
  • SHIP: Unincorporated and incorporated areas excluding the city limits of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo
  • HTF: Unincorporated and incorporated areas

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS

In addition to Federal housing funds, State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and local Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funds will be available for affordable housing programs.

  • Housing programs funded on an ongoing basis:
  • Affordable housing development
  • Down payment assistance
  • Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation
  • Housing services such as homebuyer training, and foreclosure prevention counseling

Applications for affordable housing development activities may be submitted at any time during the year. Housing Development activities include the preservation and/or production of affordable rental housing developments, mixed income rental developments and housing development for homebuyers. Information about the County’s housing and community development programs is available at: https://pinellas.gov/builders-and-developers/.