Rural communities have many pressing needs that require outside financial assistance. Through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the State of Indiana requests federal funds annually to help with a variety of projects including water infrastructure, public facilities, blight clearance, Mainstreet revitalization and many others. These funds help communities to improve quality of life and to ensure the health and safety of their residents. In turn, this enhances their ability to create places where citizens can grow, thrive and prosper.

During these unprecedented times, OCRA will continue with the suspension of multiple programs in response to COVID-19. This decision reflects the priority of maintaining flexibility to respond to the impact of the pandemic on rural communities. OCRA will continue to evaluate the pandemic’s impact and the corresponding priorities of rural communities to determine the feasibility of reinstating suspended programs. Be sure to visit OCRA'S calendar for all 2022 dates.

Recent News

Community Development Block Grants now open for applications

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the first round of 2023 Community Development Block Grants is now open for applications

The following programs are currently accepting applications:

• Public Facilities Program
• Blight Clearance Program
• Stormwater Improvements;
• Wastewater/Drinking Water.

Proposal submissions will be collected via the Electronic Grants Management System, or eGMS. Instructions can be found at in.gov/ocra/cdbg.

2023 Round 1 proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 28, 2023, via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System, found here. Communities are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. on April 28, 2023, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

2023 Round 1 applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30, 2023, also via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. on June 30, 2023, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

Note: Changes proposed in the 2023 Action Plan will not go into effect until CDBG 2023 Round 2.

Funding for all CDBG programs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by OCRA. The state of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects like improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.

For further information on these programs, contact the assigned OCRA regional community liaison.

• CDBG 2023 Round 1 Application Instructions
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure  
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure clarification video
• Detailed budget template
• Legal section
• Signature page
• Access the portal here: indianaegms.force.com/Grants.

2023 Action Plan: Stakeholder Survey

The State of Indiana, as a recipient of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is conducting a survey to collect information on housing and community development needs in the state to inform its 2023 Annual Action Plan. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs encourage Partners and Stakeholders to respond this survey. The results of this survey will inform how the state chooses to allocate housing and community development funds for the 2023 program year.

This survey is designed for people who work in the fields of housing and community development, lending, social services, fair housing, and advocacy. Because this study is focused on the state’s smaller cities and rural areas, we are especially interested in hearing from people who work in these communities. We also welcome input on statewide issues that affect Indiana residents, regardless of where they live. You can access the survey online at: https://www.research.net/r/StakeholderSurvey23.

Please invite others in your field to participate in the survey. This survey closes on March 3, 2023 at close of business. This survey is being conducted by Root Policy Research, a community consulting firm in Denver. If you would like to request assistance with the survey or an alternative format contact Julia Jones at julia@rootpolicy.com or 970-880-1415 x106.

For more information on the 2023 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development click here.

The CDBG Planning Grant program for 2023 is now open for applications. First-quarter applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 15, 2023, via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System, found here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 15, 2023, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

The following plan types will be open as part of the first quarter round:

• COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
• Comprehensive Plan
• Water Infrastructure Plan
• Broadband Readiness Plan
• Economic Development Plan
• Environmental Assessment
• Public Facilities Feasibility Study
• Historic Preservation Plan
• Downtown Revitalization Plan

While a formal site visit is not required for this program, applicants must contact their OCRA Community Liaison to 1) notify the Office of their intention to submit an application and 2) to receive technical assistance on the planning process. A map of community liaison districts can be found here.

Please note:

• All income surveys initiated under OCRA’s current policy for this planning round must be approved by OCRA in eGMS ahead of the application due date of Feb. 15, 2023.
• All completed income survey documentation for this planning round should be submitted for final approval in eGMS by Feb. 3, 2023, to ensure OCRA has the full 10 days to complete its review.
• As a reminder, the new Qualifications Based Selection Planning Grant Procurement Policy is in effect as of Aug. 15, 2022. In accordance with the policy, procurement of professional services for the planning study must be completed prior to the submission of the planning grant application in eGMS for quarter one of 2023.

The next round of planning grants is expected to continue quarterly until funds have been exhausted.

Planning grants are funded with Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD). The goal of the program is to encourage communities to plan for long-term holistic community development. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the planning grant process.

For further information on CDBG programs, contact the assigned OCRA regional community liaison.

• CDBG 2023 Planning Grant Application Instructions
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure  
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure clarification video
• Detailed budget template
• Legal section
• Signature page
• Access the portal here: https://indianaegms.force.com/Grants.