2025-2026 Slum & Blight Removal Application is sponsored by Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Part I: General Information/Cover Page <a href="/docs/default-source/cdbg/2025-2026-acedp-exhibits. doc

ARKANSAS COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (ACEDP) # Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) State Program for Small Citie s # Slum and Blight Removal Application ## Effective for 202 4 Program Year (July 1, 202 4 through June 30, 202 5) This is an electronically controlled document. The electronic version on the AEDC-Grants website is the most recent version, and is the only official version, of the document.

Revisions are made periodically. The version date is shown in the footer of each page of the document. If the user is consulting a version with a version date differing from the version date of the official version on the website, then changes have been made.

Refer to the table of revision changes online. AEDC does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Age, Religion or Disability; and provides upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities.

APPLICATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Application Process .......................................................................................................................................

2 Eligible Applicants ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Eligible Activities ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Compliance with Slum and Blight National Objective 24 CFR 570.

483(c) .................................................... 3 Definition of Slum and Blight according to the Arkansas Code (ACA) .......................................................... 4 Requirement of Redevelopment Plan ..........................................................................................................

4 Collaboration of Local Housing Authority or Use of Urban Renewal Agency ............................................... 5 End Use of Property ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Grant Amounts, Matching Funds, and Leverage ..........................................................................................

6 Application Due Dates ................................................................................................................................... 6 Threshold Review Criteria .............................................................................................................................

6 Davis-Bacon Labor Requirements ................................................................................................................. 7 Post Award Requirements ............................................................................................................................

7 Application Point System and Scoring .......................................................................................................... 7 Application Forms and Instructions .............................................................................................................. 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHECKLIST ..................................................................................................................

9 PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 11 Identification of Properties for Condemnation .......................................................................................... 14 Proposed Clearance/Demolition Inventory ................................................................................................

15 Redevelopment Plan ................................................................................................................................... 16 PART II: PROJECT BUDGET .......................................................................................................................... 17 PART III: PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SCORING CRITERIA ..........................................................................

18 Application Questions and Scoring Criteria ................................................................................................ 22 Asbestos Waiver Form ................................................................................................................................

31 Certification of Chief Elected Local Official ................................................................................................. 32 PART IV: EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS ..................................................................................................... 33 PART V: ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS .........................................................................................................

34 Slum and Blight Removal Application 1 These application guidelines are for all Slum and Blight Removal applications. Any eligible applicant must follow the instructions and information within this Application Package in order to apply for Slum and Blight Removal resources.

To assist with application development, the Grants Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has prepared ACEDP Application Guidelines (the Guidelines ) as an application reference source. These most up-to-date version of these guidelines can be found online . To request a copy of the Guidelines or to obtain assistance regarding application requirements, please contact the Grants Division at (501) 682-1211.

Most funding determinations will be made within 90 days from the close of the application period. However, if the application is incomplete, additional information may be requested prior to the approval of the application. A completed application will consist of all documents enumerated in the Application Table of Contents.

Only one copy of the application is required. The Slum and Blight Removal program is designed to provide Arkansas’s non-entitlement cities and counties with the opportunity to apply for grant assistance for a variety of projects that are not covered under other funding categories. Applicants may apply for assistance for any eligible project that meets the following criteria: 1.

The project must meet one of the national objectives of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program: benefit to low- to moderate-income persons, elimination of conditions of slum or blight, or to address an urgent need. 2. The activity to be undertaken is an eligible activity under the regulations that govern the CDBG program.

Eligible activities include clearance, demolition (including testing for lead and asbestos), removal (including abatement of lead and asbestos) of non-residential buildings owned by cities or counties. 3. The project must address one of the goals and objectives described in the current Consolidated Plan.

4. The project must not be eligible for funding under any of the other line items in the current One Year Action Plan. For further information please contact the following Primary Contact for this program.

> Jean Noble Director, Grants Division > Arkansas Economic Development Commission > 1 Commerce Way, Suite 601 > Phone: (501) 682-7389 or (888) 787-2527 > E-mail: jnoble@arkansasedc. com > http://www. arkansasedc.

com/grants Slum and Blight Removal Application 2 Each eligible applicant can submit one application for consideration. Applications will be accepted on an open basis.

Applications may be submitted by mail to Arkansas Economic Development Commission, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 601, Little Rock, AR 72202, ATTN: Jean Noble or by e-mail to: Applications are reviewed by the AEDC application review team according to the selection criteria provided in this document. All grant applications must have a certified AEDC-approved grant administrator.

Projects are generally expected to be completed by the grantee within 24 months following award. NOTE: All land for the project must be in the possession of the city or county at the time of application. Eligible applicants include all non-entitlement cities or counties in Arkansas.

A city may have one active grant in progress at any time. A county may have two active grants in progress at any time. Economic Development applications/projects do not count toward the number of active applications/grants that cities or counties may have per the restrictions above.

An exception for eligibility applies to the 14 entitlement cities which receive their own funds directly from HUD. These entitlement cities may not apply for funding through this program. Entitlement cities include: • West Memphis Slum and Blight Removal Application 3 Proposed activities must be eligible under Section 105(a)(4) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.

The following activities specifically qualify for this program : clearance, demolition, and removal of non-residential buildings owned by cities or counties. When necessary, environmental cleanup of contaminated sites will be funded through this program when such testing and remediation is directly connected to the clearance, demolition, and removal of a non-residential building. Residential structures are not eligible for this program.

## Compliance with Slum and Blight National Objective 24 CFR 570. 483(c) Applicants may apply for this program to prevent or eliminate slum or blight on either an area or spot basis. Use either Exhibit I-1 (Slum and Blight Area Basis Documentation) or Exhibit I-2 (Slum and Blight Spot Basis Documentation).

Attach your documentation to the application in Part IV, Exhibits and Attachments section. Activities to address slums or blight on an area basis. An activity will be considered to address prevention or elimination of slums or blight in an area if the state can determine that: 1.

The area, delineated by the unit of general local government, meets a definition of a slum, blighted, deteriorated or deteriorating area under state or local law; 2.

The area also meets the conditions in either section (A) or section (B) below: (A) At least 25 percent of properties throughout the area experience one or more of the following conditions: • Physical deterioration of buildings or improvements; • Abandonment of properties; • Chronic high occupancy turnover rates or chronic high vacancy rates in commercial or industrial buildings; • Significant declines in property values or abnormally low property values relative to other areas in the community; or • Known or suspected environmental contamination.

(B) The public improvements throughout the area are in a general state of deterioration. 3. The assisted activity addresses one or more of the conditions which contributed to the deterioration of the area.

Rehabilitation of residential buildings carried out in an area meeting the above requirements will be considered to address the area's deterioration only where each such building rehabilitated is considered substandard before rehabilitation, and all deficiencies making a building substandard have been eliminated Slum and Blight Removal Application 4 if less critical work on the building is also undertaken.

The State shall ensure that the unit of general local government has developed minimum standards for building quality which may consider local conditions. 4. The state keeps records sufficient to document its findings that a project meets the national objective of prevention or elimination of slums and blight.

The state must establish definitions of the conditions listed at § 570. 483(c)(1)(ii)(A) and maintain records to substantiate how the area met the slums or blighted criteria. The designation of an area as slum or blighted under this section is required to be redetermined every 10 years for continued qualification.

Documentation must be retained pursuant to the recordkeeping requirements contained at § 570. 490. Activities to address slums or blight on a spot basis.

The following activities can be undertaken on a spot basis to eliminate specific conditions of blight, physical decay, or environmental contamination that are not located in a slum or blighted area: Acquisition; clearance; relocation; historic preservation; remediation of environmentally contaminated properties; or rehabilitation of buildings or improvements.

However, rehabilitation must be limited to eliminating those conditions that are detrimental to public health and safety. If acquisition or relocation is undertaken, it must be a precursor to another eligible activity (funded with CDBG or other resources) that directly eliminates the specific conditions of blight or physical decay, or environmental contamination.

## Definition of Slum and Blight according to the Arkansas Code (ACA) According to A. C. A.

§ 14-169-604, blighted areas are defined as “areas, including slum areas, with buildings or improvements which by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use or obsolete layout, or any combination of these or other factors are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, or welfare of the community.

” ## Requirement of Redevelopment Plan According to A. C. A.

§ 14-169-606, prior to any redevelopment project, no redevelopment project, which shall include the removal of slum and blight, see A. C. A.

§ 14-169-604 shall be initiated until the governing body or agency designated by it or empowered by law to act on behalf of each city or town, in which any of the area to be covered by the project is situated, has approved a plan, to be called the “redevelopment plan,” which provides an outline for the development or redevelopment of the area and is sufficiently complete to indicate: 1.

Its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses and improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities, and other public improvements; 2. Proposed land uses and building requirements in the area; and Slum and Blight Removal Application 5 3.

The method for the temporary relocation of persons living in such areas; and also, the method for providing, unless already available, decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings substantially equal in number to the number of substandard dwellings to be cleared from the area, at rents within the financial reach of the income groups displaced from the substandard dwellings.

Municipalities are authorized to approve redevelopment plans through their governing body or agency designated by it for that purpose. See A. C.

A. § 14-169-606. ## Collaboration of Local Housing Authority or Use of Urban Renewal Agency 14-169-709 is authorized to plan and undertake urban renewal projects which includes the acquisition and elimination of slum or blighted areas.

If a housing authority exists within a municipality, it is recommended that the municipality closely consult with the authority on the creation of the redevelopment plan for this application. If a housing authority does not exist, the municipality may choose to create an Urban Renewal Agency in accordance with A. C.

A. § 14-169-709 and A. C.

A. § 14-169-710 to assist with the creation of the redevelopment plan and to conduct other urban renewal projects. Alternatively, according to A.

C. A.

§ 14-169-708, it is provided that in any municipality in this state where on January 10, 1961, a housing authority has not been established or a housing authority is established but the authority has not undertaken an urban renewal project, the municipality may, if the local governing body, by resolution, determines such action to be in the public interest, elect to have the same powers with respect to urban renewal and redevelopment that are conferred on a housing authority by §14-169-601 — 14-169-609, 14-169-701, and 14-169-703 — 14-169-707, to be exercised by an urban renewal agency created by §14-169-709 or by a housing authority if one is authorized for, or subsequently established in, the municipality.

If CDBG funds are not used for acquisition, and the property is acquired through other sources, then demolition of privately owned property meeting a national objective constitutes an eligible activity. The property is not required to be used for a public purpose. The end use of the property shall be clearly defined in the approved redevelopment plan and adhered to accordingly.

See 24 CFR 570. 489(j); 24 CFR 270. 201(d).

Slum and Blight Removal Application 6 ## Grant Amounts, Matching Funds, and Leverage Grant Amount: Grant requests should range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $500,000, including environmental testing and remediation fees. Administrative fees will be added to the announced award amount. Match Requirements: There is no match required.

Leverage: Leverage includes funds that are committed to the project activities exceeding the grant dollars requested through AEDC. Leverage may include public and private funds, or in-kind services, such as materials, labor, or other items that are directly related to the project. Leveraged funds may be considered only if they are spent during the project period (date of Release of Funds through the project completion date).

The amount of leverage must be given in dollars. Applications will be accepted twice per year. Applications will be due on October 1 1, 202 4 and April 1 1, 202 5.

Applications are prepared at the applicant’s expense and application costs are not reimbursable. Consultation with AEDC Grants Division staff is highly recommended prior to beginning an application. ## Threshold Review Criteria The following threshold requirements must be met by the local government applicant in order to be eligible for Program resources.

These requirements include: • activities proposed are eligible and comply with CDBG National Objectives and State CDBG priorities. See the CDBG National Objective Section for more information.

• applicant has no significant, unresolved audit finding; • applicant has no legal actions under way that may significantly impact its capacity; • applicant is following a detailed Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) and Anti- Displacement Plan; • applicant has adopted an authorizing participation resolution; • applicant must have addressed and cleared all compliance problems (i.e. Davis Bacon, acquisition, fair housing, etc.) found during monitoring, if any, from past awarded projects, and have had a response accepted by AEDC; • applicant is current with all reporting requirements (semiannual status reports, closeout reports, audit reports, notification of annual audits, etc.); and • A city applicant does not have any other open categorical grants, and a county does not have more than one other open categorical grants.

Check with AEDC Grants Division for grant status. Slum and Blight Removal Application 7 ## Davis-Bacon Labor Requirements Davis-Bacon and the State’s prevailing wage law are not applicable to demolition projects if: • The demolition work is not directly related to a subsequent construction that would be funded by government funds. See HUD Handbook 1344.

1, 11-7 ## Post Award Requirements Each eligible application must also comply with any necessary post award requirements. These requirements include: Environmental Review; Davis-Bacon compliance; Procurement, etc. For more information, and for a complete list of Post Award Requirements, see Section 1:U of the Application Guidelines.

## Application Point System and Scoring Below is the Scoring Criteria Matrix for the Slum and Blight Removal Program. The Matrix describes each selection criteria as a numerical score within the Slum and Blight Removal program. The maximum number of points available within any application is 100 points.

> (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) > 30 10 30 15 555100 points CONTINUE TO APPLICATION FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS Slum and Blight Removal Application 8 ## Application Forms and Instructions This section contains all forms and exhibits to be submitted so that your application can be scored and ranked effectively. Application narratives should be thorough and concise.

The Grants Division reserves the right to verify all information, and to consult with other agencies on the proposed project. There are more applicants requesting funds than there are funds available. Applicants must carefully read and review the Application Guidelines and the selection criteria described to develop a competitive application.

In submitting your application, these instructions must be followed: Submit ORIGINAL , ONE (1) complete copy Do not fold, staple, or bind in any way other than with a binder clip Table of Contents must be included All pages must be numbered in sequence at the bottom of the page. All Exhibits must be labeled at the bottom of the page, right-hand corner. All Attachments must be labeled at the bottom of the page, right-hand corner.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being returned for you to correct and resubmit. All applicants will be given one week to correct and resubmit their application, if submitted at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. PAGES MAY BE ATTACHED TOGETHER WITH A BINDER CLIP.

DO NOT BIND, FOLD OR STAPLE. Below is an outline of what a Slum and Blight Removal Application should look like: Table of Contents (use Table of Contents Checklist) Part I. General Information Part III.

Project Description & Scoring Criteria Part IV. Required Exhibits and Attachments (see Exhibits package) Part V. Additional Attachments (supplemental info provided by applicant) Slum and Blight Removal Application 9 ## TABLE OF CONTENTS CHECKLIST ## SLUM AND BLIGHT REMOVAL Applicants must complete and submit this checklist with the application.

Type in additional appendix items as deemed necessary to your project. List appropriate page numbers under PAGE NUMBER column. Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................

Part I – General Information ................................................................................................................ Part II Project Budget ............................................................................................................................ Part III Item 1 – Project Need ................................................................................................................

Part III Item 2 – Project Specifications .................................................................................................. Part III Item 3 – Project Readiness ........................................................................................................ Part III Item 4 – Citizen Participation ...................................................................................................

Part III Item 5 – Leverage ...................................................................................................................... Part III Item 6 – LMI Benefit .................................................................................................................. Part III Item 7 – Bonus Points ................................................................................................................

Part IV - REQUIRED EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS A. Notice of Public Hearing and Public Hearing Documentation ....................................... B.

Authorizing Resolution ................................................................................................... C. Statement of Assurances and Certifications ..................................................................

D. Citizen Participation Plan ............................................................................................... E.

Residential Anti-displacement & Relocation Assistance Plan ........................................ F. Excessive Force Resolution ............................................................................................

G-1. Low- and Moderate-Income Worksheet (Only for LMI Area benefit surveys) ............... G-2.

LMI Random Sample Worksheet (Only for LMI Area Benefit) ....................................... Slum and Blight Removal Application 10 H. Limited Clientele Worksheet (Only for LMC) .................................................................

I-1. Slum and Blight Area Basis Documentation (Only for SBA Area Basis) .......................... I-2.

Slum and Blight Spot Basis Documentation (Only for SBA Spot Basis) .......................... J. Urgent Need Certification ( Only for Urgent Need ) ........................................................

K. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act ( FFATA) form .......................... L.

Map of Proposed Project Area ....................................................................................... M. Systems for Award Management (SAM) record and clearance documentation ...........

N-1. Four Factor Analysis Assessing Limited English Proficiency ........................................... N-2.

Language Assistance Plan ( Optional at the time of application) ................................... Please use the language verbatim in each exhibit. Incorrect language may cause a delay in application review and award, if successful.

Also, provide the bracketed information as requested in each exhibit. The omission or incomplete description as requested in bracketed text may cause a delay in application review and awards. REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS (where applicable) Attachment 1.

Redevelopment Plan and Authorizing Resolution ........................................... Attachment 2: Documentation of Property Ownership ......................................................... Attachment 3: Cost estimates for all costs listed in Part II, Project Budget ............................

Attachment 4. Commitment letters for all sources listed in Part II, Project Budget ............... Part V - ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS (where available) Attachment (number and title)................................................................................................

Attachment (number and title)................................................................................................ Attachment (number and title)................................................................................................ Attachment (number and title)................................................................................................

Slum and Blight Removal Application 11 # ACEDP Grant Application # Slum and Blight Removal Program ## PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant Name (City, Town, or County): _____________________________________________ Mayor/County Judge Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: ____________________________________________________________ Phone: ( _______) ________ - __________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________ Unique Entity Number 12-character alphanumeric ID: _________________________________ Tax ID #: _____________________________________________________________________ Preparer Name: ________________________________________________________________ Company/PDD Name: ___________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: ____________________________________________________________ > ACEDP #: ____________________________ > Funding Year: ________________________ > Grants Manager: ______________________ > Grants Administrator/PDD: > ____________________________________ Slum and Blight Removal Application 12 Phone: ( _______) ________ - __________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________ County: ______________________________________________________________________ Project Scope: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Project Type: ☐ Area Blight or ☐ Spot Blight Project Address or Addresses: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: ____________________________________________________________ Type of Applicant (Check One) Low/Moderate Income (LMI) Information Total persons to be served: ___________________ Total LMI persons: __________________________ LMI Percentage: _______________% Source of Information: __________________________________________________________ County Code: _______________ Census Tract: _______________ Block Group(s): _____________ Slum and Blight Removal Application 13 White/Caucasian _____ _____ Black/African American _____ _____ American Indian/Alaskan Native _____ _____ Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander _____ _____ > American Indian/Alaskan Native and White Asian and White _____ _____ Black/African American and White _____ _____ American Indian/Alaskan Native and Black/African American _____ _____ Other Multi-Racial _____ _____ Total female head of households: __________ Total elderly persons: __________ Total handicapped persons: __________ State/U.S. Representation Information State Senator(s)/District(s): _______________________________________________________ State Representative(s)/District(s): _________________________________________________ CONTINUE TO IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES FOR CONDEMNATION Slum and Blight Removal Application 14 ## Identification of Properties for Condemnation Describe the process used to identify proposed structures/property as Slum and Blight.

Describe how the city/county took possession of the property in order to assert legal authority to demolish structure(s). Also identify local ordinance(s) utilized and any resolutions passed. For Area Blight projects, the area must be designated as a slum or blighted area by the city or county through a resolution and must meet the definition of slum or blighted under A.

C. A. § 14-169-604.

If applicable, attach a copy in Part V of any ordinances and/or resolutions passed. For Spot Blight projects, the city or county must utilize a state registered building inspector whom confirms the project site meets the definition of blight under A. C.

A. § 14-169-604, provides the reasoning for that determination, and affirms the proposed project will eliminate the blight causing elements. Provide name and contact information for the inspector used.

If applicable, attach a copy of the inspection report in Part V of this application. Note: The property, whether Area or Spot Blight, must be in the grantee’s legal possession before application for a Slum and Blight Removal grant. Slum and Blight Removal Application 15 ## Proposed Clearance/Demolition Inventory Instructions: Provide the following background information for each property identified.

Provide a description of the property proposed for demolition and removal.

Location of Property: ____________________________________________________________ Size of Structure(s): _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Building or Construction Material: __________________________________________________ ☐ Residential (note: Residential structures are not eligible for this program) Is the structure two or more stories?

☐ Yes ☐ No Approximate date the structure(s) was/were built: ____________________________________ Date last in use: ________________ (if known) Date first cited for violation or recommendation for demolition: ________________ Date of order entered condemning the property or otherwise adjudicated: _________________ Date property entered into the legal possession of the city/county: _______________________ NOTE: Property must be in the legal possession of the city/county in order to be considered for a slum and blight removal grant.

Identify legal authority (municipal ordinance or resolution) designating the property as blighted: ______________________________________________________________________________ Describe the specific condition of blight of the designated property: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Slum and Blight Removal Application 16 Identify remediation measures that will be needed: ☐ Other: ________________________________________________________________ According to A.

C. A. § 14-169-606, no redevelopment project, which shall include the removal of slum and blight, see A.

C. A. § 14-169-604, shall be initiated until the governing body or agency designated by it or empowered by law to act on behalf of each city or town, in which any of the area to be covered by the project is situated, has approved a plan, to be called the “redevelopment plan,” which provides an outline for the development or redevelopment of the area and is sufficiently complete to indicate: 1.

Its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses and improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities, and other public improvements; 2. Proposed land uses and building requirements in the area; and 3.

The method for the temporary relocation of persons living in such areas; and also, the method for providing, unless already available, decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings substantially equal in number to the number of substandard dwellings to be cleared from the area, at rents within the financial reach of the income groups displaced from the substandard dwellings.

Has the city or county completed a redevelopment plan that addresses the above requirements? ☐ Yes ☐ No Please provide a copy of your redevelopment plan and authorizing resolution as Attachment 1. CONTINUE TO PART II: PROJECT BUDGET Slum and Blight Removal Application 17 ## PART II: PROJECT BUDGET Provide an estimate of the costs for each line item associated with the proposed project.

Do not include administrative costs on this budget estimate unless other sources of funding will be paying in full for these services. Otherwise, these costs will be calculated by the Commission and added to the grant budget.

Applicant: _____________________________________________________________________ CDBG Funds Local Funds Other Total GRAND TOTAL Slum and Blight Removal Application 18 ## PART III: PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SCORING CRITERIA The Matrix below describes each selection criteria as a numerical score within the Slum and Blight Removal Program. The maximum number of points available within any application is 100 points.

All selection criteria will be scored in five-point increments and shall be scored on a scale. > (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) > 30 10 30 15 555100 points Limit responses to the space provided below with a minimum 9-point font (Arial or Calibri). For each of the following sections a project narrative must be provided and any additional information as noted within each individual application question.

Item 1: PROJECT NEED: Up to 30 points possible. The level of project need will be compared to other applicants. Points in this section include: 0-9 points—no clearly defined problem or no clear description of the need for the project.

10-19—minor problems or minor need are only defined. 20-30—major problems or description of project need is clearly defined. Some examples of major needs include: Significant structural problems within a non-residential building; There is a health and safety threat to users.

The application narrative shall be scored for: (a) explanations of the overall purpose of the project application and factual information that illustrates the severity of the problems or needs; (b) past efforts to resolve the problem and meet the local needs; and (c) stated goals and objectives for resolving the problem or need with a description of how the community will be included in the citizen participation process in order to determine the objectives for problem resolution.

Item 2: PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS: 10 points maximum possible. Describe the technical and financial specifications of the project and provide clarity on how the project will benefit those identified by a CDBG National Objective. The significance of the project specifications will be scored as compared to other applicants.

Slum and Blight Removal Application 19 Points in this section include: 0-2 points—inadequately defined project specifications. 3-5—reasonably defined specifications that is average compared to other applicants. 6-10—above average description of project specifications.

All requested data provided. Within this section, the applicant should explain the technical and financial aspects of the project. Projects should have a clear outline of activities, state who will be responsible for each activity, state the frequency of usage, and a detailed explanation of how the project will reduce future need.

Item 3: PROJECT READINESS: Up to 30 points possible. The level of capacity and commitment by the community will be scored as compared to other applicants.

Points in this section will include: 0-9—lack of local staff or ability to oversee the efforts from planning to the implementation of the physical project, no availability of the site(s) investigated, preliminary work is not substantially completed, and project is not construction ready.

10-19—local capacity is demonstrated through past projects, past community improvement efforts, citizen participation, there is strong evidence of a commitment to proceed with the project, the feasibility and cost estimates are reliable, the project is construction ready and financial resources have been investigated.

20-30—Significant local capacity demonstrated through past improvement efforts, financial resources are secured and pending CDBG award approval, match/non-CDBG funding is committed and documented, and environmental review has been completed. A thorough Redevelopment Plan is provided. Item 4: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Up to 15 points possible.

Applicant’s description of public participation and the process used to identify community needs and allocate resources to address needs will be compared to other applicants. The following criteria will be taken into consideration when determining the community’s score for the Citizen Participation section.

• Completed a comprehensive needs assessment; • The needs assessment process includes documented citizen participation; • Developed, distributed, and analyzed a community needs surveys; • Held public meetings to discuss the outcomes on the community needs analysis; • Documentation showing the community needs assessment took place within the past 3 years; Slum and Blight Removal Application 20 • Developed a priority list using the community needs assessment process; • Developed a strategy to address items in order of the community’s priority list; • A record of conducting other community and economic development efforts with significant citizen involvement within the last three years that address items ranked on the community’s priority list; • The community has adopted or updated a comprehensive plan, housing study, and/or a capital improvement plan within the last five years; • The community can show evidence of economic initiatives such as completing a business retention and expansion survey, or other viable fundraising efforts.

Points in this section include: 0-4 points—has not completed a majority of