2024 BRNI/CORE Applications

Housing Committee

Overview

• BRNI (Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative) and CORE (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) are two grant programs administered by the state DHCD. They are part of their community revitalization grant program and are the source of most of our funding for capital projects and programs.
• Applications are open now and due June 29th
• All BRNI and CORE projects are discussed/prioritized by the relevant committee and then approved by the Board
• Awards are usually announced in October
• Award contracts begin on January 1st, 2024 and have a two-year term

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BRNI

…”aims to demonstrate how strategic investment in local housing and businesses can lead to healthy, sustainable communities with a growing tax base and enhanced quality of life. The program attempts to focus on areas where modest investment and a coordinated strategy will have an appreciable neighborhood revitalization impact”

“Projects should capitalize on the strengths of a community, be targeted in a specific neighborhood or set of neighborhoods and be part of the approved strategic neighborhood revitalization plan”

https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/BRNI.aspx

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BRNI cont.

• Only Community Development Organizations with an approved strategic neighborhood revitalization plan may apply
• We can submit BRNI applications on behalf of partners that advance the goals of the Vision Plan i.e. Bon Secours, Rebuilding Together, SLYC, etc

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• Awards generally range from $50,000-$250,000 with $100,000-$200,000 being the most common amount
• smaller for Spruce Up grant program, larger for very competitive large projects.

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Typical BRNI Projects/Programs

• Down payment assistance to attract home buyers to purchase and rehabilitate homes
• Programs to acquire or rehabilitate vacant or blighted properties
• Programs to improve existing residential and business properties
• Programs to achieve energy efficiency through weatherization and energy retrofits
• Development of mixed-use projects that combine housing, retail and office space
• Development or enhancement of community open space or public infrastructure
• Workforce and employment development programs
• Strategic demolition
• Operating costs necessary to implement a community enhancement project

C.O.R.E.

• The Goals Of Project C.O.R.E. are:
• To support community growth in Baltimore City.
• To eliminate in a strategic manner as many full blocks of blight as possible.
• To encourage investment in Project C.O.R.E. communities through attractive financing and other incentives
• Removal of blight is the main focus of C.O.R.E.
• Eligible Activities are limited to acquisition, stabilization, demolition of vacant property
• Awards are higher ($250,000-1 million)

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Criteria

• Competitive projects for both programs have other sources of funding
• They like to fund things they've funded in the past (as long as we can show success and impact)
• Projects have to advance the overall goals of the SWP and the Vision Plan
• Projects/programs have to be capital--make a physical change in the neighborhoods that is relatively permanent
• Project Ready--design done, locations identified, site control or approval from the property owner, other funding secured/identified.

2023 Housing Applications

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• Homebuying Incentive Program: for incentive program to provide grants towards downpayment and closing costs assistance to those who buy a home within SWP neighborhoods
• Awarded $100,000
• Homeowner Repair Program: with Rebuilding Together, to help qualified homeowners make needed repairs to their homes
• Not awarded
• Homes for Working Families: acquisition and construction subsidies for projects in strategic blocks to make up the difference between actual renovation costs and after renovation appraised value. This will also allow SWP to market houses to families between 50 and 80% of area median income
• Awarded $350,000

Staff Recommendations for 2024 applications

• Homebuying Incentive Program: for incentive program to provide grants towards downpayment and closing costs assistance to those who buy a home within SWP neighborhoods
• Homeowner Repair Program: with Rebuilding Together, to help qualified homeowners make needed repairs to their homes
• Housing Action Plan Implementation: acquisition and construction subsidies for projects in strategic blocks to make up the difference between actual renovation costs and after renovation appraised value. This will also allow SWP to market houses to families between 50 and 80% of area median income