Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program: Non-LIHTC

Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program: Non-LIHTC is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Revitalization. Offers competitive grant funding to support reconstruction, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable rental housing in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program: Non-LIHTC | DCR The Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program: Non-LIHTC is an initiative designed to increase the availability of safe and sanitary affordable rental housing in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

The program is intended to serve multi-family rental properties with five or more rental units, including the rehabilitation or development and construction of new rental housing stock that does not qualify for or receive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) under the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s (NCHFA) Qualified Allocation Plan. Applications are open now through November 2, 2026.

Prescreening is strongly encouraged, but not required, prior to submitting an application. Prescreening, Application, and Program Process Total Funding: Approximately $70 million in CDBG-DR funding is allocated for the MCR Program. Award Size: Grants generally range from $500,000 up to $15 million per project, depending on scope and need.

Competitive Process: Awards will be made through a competitive application process administered by the Division of Community Revitalization. There are 28 counties and one zip code that are eligible for this program. Projects located within HUD- and State-identified Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas are eligible for the program.

Priority is initially given to projects located within HUD-identified MID areas.

HUD-Identified MID Counties Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (ZIP code 28214), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey State-Identified MID Counties Alexander, Alleghany, Catawba, Clay, Gaston, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Surry, Swain, Wilkes, and Yadkin Eligible applicants include: Public housing authorities; Joint ventures between these entities.

Eligible uses of funds for the MCR Program include, but are not limited to: New construction of multi-family rental units; Substantial rehabilitation of existing rental units.

Include five (5) or more rental units under common ownership and management; Be located in an eligible area; Must be constructed to mitigate the impact of likely future disasters in accordance with State and local codes, ordinances, and requirements; Must meet the accessibility requirements of 24 CFR Part 8, which implements section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.

§ 794), and Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12131-12189) implemented at 28 CFR parts 35 and 36, as applicable. Covered multi-family dwellings, as defined at 24 CFR 100.

201, must also meet the design and construction requirements at 24 CFR 100. 205, which implements the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619); Newly constructed housing shall qualify as affordable housing under this part only if it meets the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.

§ 12709); Construction must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as applicable and as this term is defined in 24 CFR 5. 100, unless a waiver is granted by DCR.

A waiver may be considered if the cost of installing broadband would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the project or activity, create an undue financial burden, or if the structure or location makes installation infeasible; Address an unmet need related to Hurricane Helene (e.g., replacement of units damaged or destroyed by the storm; expansion of affordable rental housing supply to accommodate displaced households; or redevelopment in neighborhoods experiencing post-disaster affordable housing shortage); Demonstrate a clear relationship (“tie-back”) to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

This can be demonstrated directly or indirectly through documented storm damage, increased housing demand from storm-related displacement, vulnerabilities revealed or worsened by the disaster, or a resilience or mitigation activity that reduces risk in future events.

Tie-back must be supported by reliable sources such as damage assessments, FEMA information, insurance records, or other official data; Be covered by a minimum 20-year affordability and restrictive use period consistent with requirements established by the Action Plan. Prescreening, Application, and Program Process Prescreening: DCR offers an optional but highly recommended project prescreening.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DCR will issue NOFOs with application materials and deadlines. Application Submission: Applicants complete and submit required documentation demonstrating eligibility, need, and project feasibility. Evaluation and Award: DCR evaluates applications against criteria.

Post-Award Requirements: Selected applicants must comply with federal environmental review processes, reporting, construction standards, and grant compliance procedures. Prescreening Available for Non-LIHTC Projects Renew NC is offering a prescreening opportunity to help potential applicants prepare for the upcoming launch of the Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program for non-LIHTC projects.

While prescreening is not required to submit a program application, it is strongly encouraged. Prescreening provides an initial review to help determine whether proposed Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) projects align with federal requirements, meet a national objective, and demonstrate financial feasibility. Access the prescreen through the Renew NC Grant Portal.

New users are required to register for an account. How to Access the Renew NC Grant Portal A step-by-step guide for accessing the Renew NC Grant Portal, registering an account, and signing in. A written how-to guide for accessing and completing a prescreen for the Renew NC MCR Program for non-LIHTC projects.

Applications are now open for the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program: Non-LIHTC! Applications must be accessed and submitted through the Renew NC Grant Portal. Proposals will be competitively scored based on applicant capacity, community need, soundness of development approach, leveraged resources, and projected long-term outcomes.

Projects will be ranked by total score, with awards made to the highest-ranking projects, subject to threshold compliance, readiness, and availability of funds. The application period is open from June 25, 026 at 2:00 PM through November 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to complete an online prescreening prior to submitting and application.

While not required, prescreening helps assess project and organizational readiness before entering the competitive application process. Notice of Funding Opportunity Read the NOFO for the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program: Non-LIHTC Access the application through the Renew NC Grant Portal. New users are required to register for an account.

How to Access the Renew NC Grant Portal A step-by-step guide for accessing the Renew NC Grant Portal, registering an account, and signing in. Renew NC Housing Programs Email List Program-Related Documents and Information Renew NC MCR Large Project Program Policies and Procedures Manual