Community Development Block Grant Application Process
(updated 11/13/2024)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement Grant that the City receives to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The City of San Diego Economic Development Department administers these funds to partner organizations to support projects and programs that serve City of San Diego communities. Interested organizations can apply on an annual basis for this funding via the CDBG Annual NOFA process.
CDBG Annual NOFA
The City distributes a portion of its CDBG Entitlement through a process known as the Annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), which consists of two phases: the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) phase and the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase. Individuals may add their name and contact information to the CDBG email distribution list to receive up-to-date information about the Annual NOFA and other related programs.
Visit ED Grants to view information on currently open NOFAs and associated resources.
Fiscal Year 2026 CDBG NOFA
The Economic Development Department’s Fiscal Year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application, was made available to nonprofit organizations on Monday, October 7, 2024. The (RFQ) submittal deadline was Friday, November 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. (PST).
All applicant organizations were required to submit their qualifications in response to the RFQ by completing an online application on ED Grants. Once an organization is determined to be “qualified” following the RFQ process, it will be invited to submit project proposals. Organizations that did not submit their qualifications by the deadline or are subsequently deemed "not qualified" via the RFQ review, will be precluded from submitting project proposals for funding consideration.
The timeline for the Fiscal Year 2026 CDBG NOFA RFQ can be found here.
FY 2026 CDBG NOFA Links/Resources:
- FY 2026 CDBG RFQ Checklist
- FY 2026 CDBG RFQ Handbook
- FY 2026 CDBG RFQ Workshop PowerPoint
- FY 2026 CDBG RFQ Workshop Recording
FY 2025 CDBG Subrecipient Links/Resources:
- FY 2025 CDBG Operating Manual
- FY 2025 CDBG Reporting Workshop PowerPoint
- FY 2025 CDBG Reporting Workshop Video
- FY 2025 CDBG Agreement Execution Handbook
- FY 2025 CDBG Agreement Execution Workshop PowerPoint
- FY 2025 CDBG Agreement Execution Workshop Video
- Access Passcode: PxFjc1?T
FY 2025 CDBG NOFA Links/Resources:
- FY 2025 CDBG RFP Handbook
- FY 2025 CDBG RFP Workshop PowerPoint
- FY 2025 CDBG RFP Workshop Video
- Access Passcode: a=$bQ^y6
**************************************************************************
Useful Links/Resources:
- FY 2025 CPAB Scoring Evaluation Handbook
- Appendix A: FY 2025 Applicant Organization and Board Rosters
- Appendix B: FY 2025 Applicant Organizations and Project Names
- Appendix C: Past Performance
- Appendix D: ED Grants User Guides for Reviewers
- Appendix E: Scoring Criteria
- Appendix F: Categories with Budgets
- Appendix G: FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Goals
Previous Fiscal Year RFQ/RFP Documents
If you would like to view prior-year Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Proposals (RFP) forms, please email the Community Development Division at CDBG@sandiego.gov.
Other Important Documents to Review
Council Policy 700-02 — This policy establishes the general guidelines by which the City will select and implement activities utilizing CDBG funds.
HUD Regulations — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a set of regulations that must be followed in order to be eligible for CDBG funding.
2 CFR Part 200 — All federal fund subrecipients shall comply with the policies, guidelines, and requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), which supersedes OMB Circulars A-110, A-122, and A-133.
24 CFR Part 84 — Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations.