TO ELIGIBLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ONLY

NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE city of fort myers

community development block grant PROGRAM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FY: 2010-2011

The City of Fort Myers Community Development Department, Housing and Real Estate Division announces the availability of funding authorized under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, created by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 24CFR Part 570. Every five years, the City is required to update the City of Fort Myers Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan details specific activities and community services the City and Fort Myers residents plan to accomplish/provide over the next five years. Annually, the City submits an Action Plan to the HUD detailing a list of activities the City will fund during the upcoming fiscal year.

The CDBG Program has three national objectives: benefits to persons with low to moderate incomes, the prevention or elimination of slum and blight, and to address an urgent need or problem within the community.  The National Objectives regulations may be found at 24 CFR 570.208 and the eligible activities regulations may be found at 24CFR 570.201-206. Both may be accessed via web at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/24cfr570_04.html.

The CDGB eligible activities are grouped under the following categories and must serve low to moderate income residents (80% below area median income):

·         Economic Development (e.g. commercial rehabilitation, job creation, job retention, micro-enterprise development, job training, small business loans)

·         Public Service (e.g. Educational training, job training, childcare, energy conservation counseling/testing, health care, drug abuse counseling/treatment, services for the elderly, services for homeless persons, youth programs, after-school tutoring, crime prevention, housing counseling)

The CDBG program is estimated to receive $740,000 annually over the next five years. Of the annual funds, staff plans to set aside       approximately $230,000 to use for Economic Development and Public Service activities. 

The City request responders to submit a proposal based on the national objectives, eligible activities, and the existing needs of the Fort Myers community. The City encourages applicants to be creative in the proposal/application response. The service provider will be required to sign a sub-recipient agreement with the City of Fort Myers for the program delivery and to comply with all contract and applicable CDBG requirements.  The service provider will also be required to maintain communication with Keisha Cyriaano, Housing and Development Principal Planner, which will include distribution of a monthly calendar of events, program updates and all other required documentation (applicant(s) may request a copy of the reporting forms).  Additionally, if selected, the service provider must provide a performance outcome or a summary of results for the program during contract negotiations. 

An application may be picked up at the Community Development Department, 1825 Hendry Street or may be retrieved via web at: www.cityftmyers.com/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Divisions/HousingRealEstate

Completed Proposals/Applications must be mailed or delivered to:

City of Fort Myers

Community Development Department

Housing and Real Estate Division

Attn: Sharon Rozier

1825 Hendry Street

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Please submit one (1) original and seven (7) copies

The completed application/proposal is due no later than 4:00 o’clock p.m. on April 23, 2010. 

The City of Fort Myers Community Development Department, Housing and Real Estate Division reserves the right to amend and/or rescind this RFP any time prior to the final award and approval of a contract for services by the City of Fort Myers City Council. 

For additional information, please contact Keisha Cyriaano at 321-7979 or via electronic mail at kcyriaano@cityftmyers.com.