FAQs

The following is a list of frequently asked questions about HCDD's polices and procedures.

Q. When are grant decisions made?
A. Applications will be accepted two to three times per year, depending on the annual Organizations may apply for funding up to twice per year. A grant proposal must be submitted in one complete package. Missing materials will force automatic rejection of a proposal. Rejected proposals may be improved and resubmitted in the next funding round.

Q. After I send in my request, how long will it be before I know if I get the grant?
A. Denial letters are mailed generally within two weeks after the closing date for a funding cycle if an application was incomplete or failed to meet threshold criteria. After a project meets threshold criteria, a full underwriting analysis is performed, taking approximately 90 days. A decision to recommend a project for funding to the City Council will be made within 120 days of application.

Q. What are threshold criteria?
A. Threshold criteria include basic financial feasibility and conformity with the current City priorities as generally outlined in the Consolidated Plan.

Q. Do you accept grant requests sent by e-mail or fax?
A. No.

Q. What information, documents, forms do I need to send?
A. Our guidelines on our website have a checklist of the items you need to send us. The original must be in a 3-ring binder, and four additional copies must be submitted simultaneously.

Q. May I have a list of the grants made last year?
A. A list is located on our website.

Q. Do you fund specific target population groups such as the elderly, children, homeless, AIDS, domestic abuse, etc.?
A. We fund all of these in addition to the general population. Our priorities are fully detailed in the City of Houston Consolidated Plan.

Q. Does HCDD fund general operating support?
A. HCDD funds operating support for non-profit organizations with CHDO certification, provided that the organization currently has an active project. We define "active project" as one that is currently approved for HOME funding by HCDD.

Q. What size loans does HCDD make?
A. Loan sizes vary widely, depending on the "gap" between commercially available debt and project costs. No one may borrow more than 10% of the total portfolio, currently about $6 million, for all loans made to related entities.

Q. Where do I send my application?
A. Applications are received at the City Secretary's office, 900 Bagby, Houston, Texas during business hours.