Housing and Neighborhood Development
Housing and Neighborhood Development works to improve Polk County's communities and help its most fragile residents. It does this by using special state and federal grant funds for numerous projects.
This division manages the money it receives to build roads, drainage systems, playgrounds, housing for homeless veterans, homes for low and moderate income residents and tear down homes that are a blight in the community. Sometimes these projects take only months, but others can take years and must meet certain specifications.
Programs and Services
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
This grant program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Each CDBG-funded project must meet one of the three national objectives:
- Benefit low and moderate income persons
- Prevent or eliminate slum and blights
- Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency
The Community Development Block Grant also funds the county's demolition program, which is designed to eliminate slum and blight in unincorporated areas of Polk.
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
The grant assists nonprofit organizations to provide emergency shelter and associated support services to homeless individuals and families.
Request for Applications for 2022-2023 Public and Homeless Services Notice
Home Investment Partnership (HOME)
The grant funds are used to build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, homeownership, or to provide rent assistance to low-income individuals.
Notice of Estimated Funding Availability and First Public Meeting
Section 3
Purpose: Section 3 of the United States Housing and Urban Development HUD Act of 1968, (12U.S.C. 1701u) (Section 3) and implementing regulations at 24 CFP Part 135 states the purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with the existing Federal, State and Local laws and regulations, be directed to low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing and to the businesses which provide economic opportunities to these persons.
If you have questions, call the Housing and Neighborhood Department office at (863) 534-5244, or email Nancy Hurley, labor and environmental compliance specialist. Visit HUD.GOV for additional information regarding Section 3.
State Housing Initiative (SHIP)
The State Housing Initiative funds are used to preserve affordable housing for very low to moderate income families. These funds are given to local governments and are based on a populations-based formula.
2022-2023 Public Notice NOFA Availability of Funds for SHIP Allocation
2021-2022 CAPER
The 2021-2022 draft Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER) is now available for the public to review. For questions or copies of any information referenced in the CAPER please contact Nancy Hurley at NancyHurley@polk-county.net.
Required Reports
Federal Grants
State Grants, Plans and Reports
Fair Housing in Polk County
For information or to file a Fair Housing Complaint Contact:
Cedric Cox – Housing Administrative Supervisor at (863) 534-5241.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Information webpage can be found at:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint#_How_To_File
Jennifer Cooper
Manager
Phone: (863) 534-5240
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346
Street Address:
1290 Golfview Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.