Click Here for Housing and Neighborhood Development Contact Information
Jennifer Cooper
Manager
Phone: (863) 534-5240
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346
Email: HNDRequests@polk-county.net
Street Address:
1290 Golfview Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Housing and Neighborhood Development (HND) works to improve Polk County’s communities and help its most fragile residents. It does this by prioritizing federal and state grant funds across a range of policy areas including affordable housing development and preservation, homelessness and homeownership. HND develops activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods and partners with nonprofit organizations to improve communities for low and moderate-income residents. These policy areas are fundamental to HND to create strong, sustainable communities and quality affordable homeownership and multifamily housing.
If you are searching for information on housing assistance or affordable housing, HND can help.
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 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.
Polk County Board of County Commissioners Notification of a 30-Day Public Inspection Period and Public Meeting Notice and Request for Public Comment for the 2023-2024 Action Plan
Polk County is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare a 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan to govern the use of Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. These funds must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons and meet the following objectives: 1) Providing Affordable Housing that is both safe and decent, through construction/rehabilitation of owner-occupied units, rental assistance and preserving the housing stock. 2) Creating and maintaining a Suitable Living Environment, by providing needed infrastructure improvements, providing access to public facilities and public services, and reducing blighting conditions. 3) Expanding Economic Opportunities by supporting public services that help provide skills training, other tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency and promoting employment opportunities for low-income persons affected by activities and programs outlined in the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan.
| FY 2023 - 2024 Proposed Programs | Grant Allocations by Funding Source | Total | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDBG | ESG | HOME | |||
| Neighborhood Improvements | $1,300,00 | $1,300,000 | 21% | ||
| Demolition/Clearance | $200,000 | $200,000 | 3% | ||
| Municipal Partners | $658,848 | $925,925 | 11% | ||
| Public/Homeless Services | $605,000 | $925,925 | 15% | ||
| Affordable Housing | |||||
| Demolition/Reconstruction | $725,000 | $725,000 | 12% | ||
| New Construction - Single Family | $250,000 | $250,000 | 4% | ||
| Owner Occupied Rehab | $640,880 | $640,880 | 10% | ||
| Tenant-Based Rental Assistance | $60,000 | $475,403 | $535,403 | 9% | |
| Administration | $789,491 | $26,015 | $161,155 | $976,661 | 16% |
| Total | $4,254,219 | $346,940 | $1,611,558 | $6,212,717 | 100% |
| Federal Fiscal Year | CDBG |
|---|---|
| FY 2023 - 2024 Grant Award | $4,054,219 |
| FY 2023 - 2024 Anticipated Program Income | $200,000 |
| Total | $4,254,219 |
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
ESG grants assist nonprofit organizations to provide emergency shelter and associated support services to homeless individuals and families.
Home Investment Partnership (HOME)
HOME grant funds are used to build, buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, homeownership or to provide rent assistance to low-income individuals.
Section 3
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 NancyHurley@polk-county.net, labor and environmental compliance specialist. Visit HUD.GOV for additional information regarding Section 3.
State Housing Initiative (SHIP)
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 population-based formula.
2022-2023 Public Notice NOFA Availability of Funds for SHIP Allocation
2021 - 2022 CAPER
The 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER) is 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.
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: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint#_How_To_File
Community Housing Development Organization
Federal HOME funds have a component called the Community Housing Development Organization, also known as the CHDO. At least 15 percent of HOME funds must be set aside for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization.
Community Housing Development Organization - CHDO Set-Aside Requirement
- A CHDO is a private, nonprofit, community-based service organization that has obtained, or intends to obtain, staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves.
- PJs must set aside a minimum of 15 percent of their HOME allocations for housing development activities in which qualified CHDOs are the owners, developers and/or sponsors of the housing. PJs must have a reasonable expectation of specific projects going forward.
CHDO Qualifying Criteria
A CHDO is a specific type of private nonprofit entity. CHDOs must meet certain requirements pertaining to its:
- Legal status
- Organizational structure, and
- Capacity and experience
For more information about applying to be a Polk County CHDO, contact Nancy Hurley, housing compliance manager for the Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development office at (863) 534-5244, or (863) 534-5240.