The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' Community Development Block Grant Planning Grant program and Owner Occupied Rehabilitation program are now open for applications.

Fourth quarter applications for both grant programs will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET, on Friday, Nov. 15, via the Indiana electronic Grants Management System, found here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 15, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

Planning Grants

The following plan types will be open as part of the fourth quarter Planning Grant round:

• COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
• Comprehensive Plan
• Water Infrastructure Plan
• Broadband Readiness Plan
• Economic Development Plan
• Environmental Assessment
• Public Facilities Feasibility Study
• Historic Preservation Plan
• Downtown Revitalization Plan

While a formal site visit is not required for this program, applicants must contact their OCRA community liaison to notify the office of their intention to submit an application and to receive technical assistance on the planning process. A map of community liaison districts can be found here.

Important Notes:

• All income surveys initiated under OCRA’s current policy for this planning round must be approved by OCRA in eGMS ahead of the application due date of Friday, Nov. 15.
• All completed income survey documentation for this planning round should be submitted for final approval in eGMS by Friday, Nov. 1 to ensure OCRA has the full 10 days to complete its review.
• As a reminder, the Qualifications Based Selection Planning Grant Procurement Policy is in effect as of Aug. 15, 2022. In accordance with the policy, procurement of professional services for the planning study must be completed prior to the submission of the Planning Grant application in eGMS for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Owner Occupied Rehabilitation program

The OOR program aims to help low-income homeowners to age in place, have greater mobility and make necessary repairs for their comfort and safety. Additionally, the OOR program supports communities in improving their existing housing stock.

Awarded communities will administer programs that directly fund repairs on owner-occupied residential properties, such as:

• Roof replacements or repairs
• Heating, cooling and water heater replacement
• Select lighting and electrical upgrades
• ADA accessibility modifications up to the threshold of the home

Funding for all CDBG programs, such as OOR and Planning Grants, comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by OCRA. For further information on these programs, contact the assigned regional OCRA community liaison.