Grants Management

What Is It?

Section 3 is a compliance requirement from HUD that applies to all construction projects funded with HUD-sourced grants that exceed $200,000 (in total costs), and to all contractors or subcontractors with an individual construction contract or subcontract above $100,000 on a HUD-assisted project.

A summary of compliance requirements are:

1. To the greatest extent feasible, hire and train Section 3 residents, and submit monthly reports of the total labor hours worked on project to grantsmgmt@columbus.gov. At least 25% of total labor hours must be worked by Section 3 Workers, and at least 5% of total labor hours must be worked by Targeted Section 3 Workers.
2. To the greatest extent feasible, contract with Section 3 Business Concerns.
3. Provide outreach/training for Section 3 residents, and report on the outreach and training undertaken in monthly reports.

Forms and Resources

• This document provides an overview of Section 3 compliance and reporting processes: Section 3 Reporting Guide(PDF, 633KB)
• These documents may be used be an employee or employer to self-register as a Section 3 Worker or Section 3 Business Concern: Section 3 Self-Certification Forms(PDF, 1MB)
• Use this form to submit Section 3 Monthly Reports: Section 3 Monthly Reporting Tool(XLSX, 34KB)
• Section 3 Contractual Clause(PDF, 213KB)

What Is It?

The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is federal funding provided to the City of Columbus by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of this grant is to implement local housing strategies designed to increase homeownership and affordable housing opportunities for low and very low-income Americans.

HOME Subaward Grantees

A list of all the FY 2022 HOME Subaward Grantees can be found here:

FY 2022 HOME Subaward Grantees(PDF, 155KB)

HOME Resources

HOME: HOME Investment Partnerships Program - HUD Exchange

Bid Documents

The following documents should be given to contractors or relevant persons during the invitation to bid:

1. Section 3 Clause(PDF, 213KB)
2. HUD Construction Contract Documentation Form(PDF, 195KB)
3. Federal Labor Provisions(PDF, 44KB)
4. Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage Rates (See Below)

What is Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage?

• The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts apply to contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works. Davis-Bacon Act and Related Act contractors and subcontractors must pay their laborers and mechanics employed under the contract no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area
• The Davis-Bacon Act directs the Department of Labor to determine such locally prevailing wage rates. The Davis-Bacon Act applies to contractors and subcontractors performing work on federal or District of Columbia contracts. The Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage provisions apply to the "Related Acts," under which federal agencies assist construction projects through grants, loans, loan guarantees, and insurance.
• For prime contracts in excess of $100,000, contractors and subcontractors must also, under the provisions of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, as amended, pay laborers and mechanics, including guards and watchmen, at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act may also apply to DBA-covered contracts.

Compliance Requirements Summary

• Eligible contractors or subcontractors must submit weekly payroll reports to the prevailing wage coordinator for the City, Noelle Synder - NRSnyder@columbus.gov

Find Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage Rates

• Search for prevailing wages here: SAM.gov | Wage Determinations
• Additional resources: Davis-Bacon and Related Acts | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

What Is It?

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is federal funding provided to the City of Columbus by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop viable urban communities with an emphasis on supporting low- and moderate-income persons. CDBG can be used for projects like affordable housing development, public facilities and services, property rehabilitation, and more.

HUD Playing by the Rules Handbook for Subrecipients

2025 City of Columbus CDBG Grant Timeline

Every year, the City administers CDBG funds to internal and external organizations through a competitive application process. Below is our timeline of the grant process:

• April 11, 2024, 3-5 PM - CDBG Application Release Workshop @ Whetstone Public Library meeting room
• April 11 – June 14, 2024 – CDBG application open to the public
• May 2, 2024, 3:00 - 5:00 PM - 2024 CDBG Technical Assistance Workshop @ Columbus Public Health Auditorium (240 Parsons Ave)
• June 14, 2024 – CDBG application due by 11:59 PM

CDBG Application 2025

This year the City is collecting applications through a web form that will require you to enter responses in a web browser and upload supporting documents. The web form can be saved and returned to, but you also have the option to work in a Word document and complete the web form once you have drafted all responses offline.

Application Web Form – submit by 11:59 PM on June 14^th, 2024

Application – Word document version(DOCX, 23KB) - For drafting purposes only. Do not submit this document. Complete all responses in the web form.

Budget template - Excel file(XLSX, 34KB) - Applications must upload a completed budget proposal using this file as a template

Application scoring worksheet - PDF file(PDF, 349KB) – For reference only, for use by City staff

CDBG Technical Assistance

Prospective applicants for CDBG funds can request technical assistance from the Grants Management team by completing this web form.

Simple questions can be emailed to grantsmgmt@columbus.gov, but discussions related to a potential application or more in-depth questions about program eligibility and regulations should be submitted through the form.

A technical assistance workshop was held on May 2^nd, and a recording can be viewed here.

2025 Technical Assistance Workshop slides(PDF, 363KB)

2025 CDBG Workshop slides(PDF, 16MB)

Recordings of previous workshops are available for your review:

2023 CDBG Public Workshop recording

2024 CDBG Public Workshop recording

2025 CDBG Public Workshop recording

2025 CDBG Funding Timeline

• June 14 - August 2024 - CDBG project review and scoring by internal committee
• August 2024 - October 2024 - Public participation process and selection of 2025 CDBG awards
• • Public meeting will be held to present all applications received for CDBG funding, seek feedback on funding priorities, and allow for public comment.
  • Columbus City Council Finance Committee Hearing will be held following selection of CDBG awards to review draft 2024 Annual Action Plan. This hearing provides an opportunity for public comment.
• October - December, 2024 - Columbus City Council passes legislation adopting draft 2025 Annual Action Plan.
• • Grants Management staff work with CDBG awardees to complete environmental reviews, finalize project scopes, and sign agreements
• January 1, 2025 - Program year begins
• December 31, 2025 - Program year ends

CDBG HUD Resources

CDBG Entitlement Program - HUD Exchange

COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICIANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

July 16, 2024
City of Columbus
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-645-8069

This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Columbus.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about, but not before, August 1st, 2024, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake the following project known as:

Elevate 340, for the purpose of demolishing the former downtown Ohio Democratic Party building at 340 E. Fulton Street to allow for the new construction of 74 housing units. 55 units will be set aside for families at or below 60% of the AMI. Of these set aside units, 4 units will be reserved to serve Community Shelter Board referrals. 19 units are set aside as market rate to bring together the economically diverse Downtown workforce. The City of Columbus is requesting $756,459.62 from 2022 HOME and $9,057.62 from 2023 HOME.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Columbus has determined that the projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Records (ERR) on file at the Department of Finance and Management at the above address, and the ERRs is available via email by contacting Gabrielle Kennedy at gmkennedy@columbus.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on an ERR to the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management at gmkennedy@columbus.gov. All comments received by July 31st, 2024, will be considered by the City of Columbus prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Columbus certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Kathy A. Owens, in her capacity as Director, Department of Finance and Management, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Columbus to use HUD funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Columbus’ certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Columbus; (b) the City of Columbus has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Columbus Field Office at email address: CPDColumbusRROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kathy A. Owens, Director
Department of Finance and Management
90 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215