Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-03-25 - agenda 32

Meeting Date

2026-03-25

Attachment Kind Label

Agenda item PDF

Attachment Relation

primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

32

Agency Names

Department Of Environmental Services, Community Development Finance Authority

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-03-25

32

March 25, 2026

CDBG-CV Public Services Round Two

The State of New Hampshire received approximately $14.3 million from the US Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD) through the CARES ACT to be deployed under the CDBG program in

response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). These funds, known as CDBG-CV, were to be used

specifically for the prevention of, preparation for, and response to COVID-19.

CDFA administers programs that effectively deploy funds to create the most community-driven impacts

and public benefits and which comply with state and federal regulations and adapt to the evolving needs

of New Hampshire communities.

CDFA developed priorities for deployment of these funds based on state, municipal, nonprofit partner and

stakeholder feedback. Several CDBG-CV funding opportunities have been created since the funding was

received to support needs across the state, including,

• In August 2020, CDFA awarded $848,730 of CDBG-CV funds to support COVID-19 related

technical assistance and direct grants to Microenterprise businesses.

• In November 2020, nearly $7.5M in CDBG-CV funds were awarded through CDBG-CV Public

Service Round 1 to support critical high-priority services that included childcare, foodbanks, legal

services, as well as health, mental health and substance abuse services, among others.

• Approximately $3M in CDBG-CV funds have been awarded to support eligible housing and public

facilities projects that had a tie-in to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• $2M in funding was also awarded specifically to Permanent Supportive Housing projects through a

dedicated funding opportunity.

“Public Services” is an eligible CDBG activity that is not typically funded in the state CDBG program.

The 2020 CDBG-CV Public Service round was the first funding opportunity available to support this

type of activity in the state CDBG program.

CDFA has seen the continued impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on housing instability and

homelessness. The impacts are seen through CDFA’sday-to-day work across its programs, through

involvement in the Council on Housing Stability and through conversations with stakeholders including the

NH Department of Health and Human Services, municipalities, and nonprofit homeless service providers.

Based on this need, CDFA created a CDBG-CV Public Service funding opportunity that aims to mitigate

the ongoing effects of COVID-19 by supporting municipalities and nonprofit organizations in delivering

direct services to unhoused individuals.

Scoring Description

Each of the applications was evaluated based on the following scoring criteria:

14 Dixon Avenue, Suite 102

Concord, NH 03301

Tel: 603.226.2170

Fax: 603.226.2816

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 2

Criteria

Max

Score Detail

Community Need and

Impact

Community Need (CDI

#) 70

Up to 70 Points- Data used to establish the Community Need scores can be found

in the Core Data Index, which is an Appendix of the CDBG Application and Program

Guide. Data is gathered from a variety of sources, including the US Census Bureau,

NH Department of Health and Human Services, NH Housing Finance Authority,

and the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives.

Statewide PIT Count

Data 40

40- Service area has a high 2024 PIT count number relative to other applications;

20- Service area has similar 2024 PIT count numbers relative to other applications

0- Service area has low 2024 PIT count numbers relative to other applications.

Activity Need and

Impact

Cost per Beneficiary 40

40- If the project will benefit more individuals and the relative cost in CDBG funds is

low as compared to other applications; 20- If the project will benefit fewer

individuals and or the relative cost in CDBG per individual is higher compared to

other applications; 0- If the project will benefit a small number of individuals and/or

the relative cost in CDBG fund per individual is high compared to other

applications.

Demand for Services 30

30- It is demonstrated that the shelter/programs are regularly at capacity and are

unable to serve all who are seeking assistance 15- It is demonstrated that the

shelter/programs are sometimes at capacity and are unable to serve all who are

seeking assistance; 0- It is not demonstrated that the shelter/program is at

capacity

Organizational

Need/Track Record 10

10- The service providers can strongly demonstrate a successful track record of

delivering homeless programs; 5- The service providers did not strongly

demonstrate a successful track record of delivering homeless programs and

services 0- The service providers did not strongly demonstrate a successful track

record or do not have a track record of delivering homeless programs.

Prior CDBG CV Awards

and Outcome 20

20- The Applicant and Subapplicant have not received previous CDBG-CV funds

from CDFA; 10- The Applicant and/or subapplicant has received CDBG-CV funds

from CDFA and the project met intended outcomes; 0-The Applicant and/or

Subappliant has received CDBG-CV funds from CDFA and the project did not meet

intended outcomes.

Existing Relationship

between Service

Provider and Applicant

10

10- The Sub applicant has an established working partnership with the Applicant

which is demonstrated by the Applicants prior commitment of funds for the

services. 5- The Sub applicant has an established partnership with the Applicant

but has not funded the Sub applicant within the last 24 months. 0- The Sub

applicant does not have a prior relationship with the Applicant.

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 3

Readiness/Federal

Compliance Capacity 30

30- The service provider(s) demonstrated that they are ready to provide the

services as soon as funding is available and they have experience with federal

funding compliance; 15- The service provider(s) demonstrated limited readiness to

provide the services as soon as funding is available and has limited experience with

federal funding compliance; 0- The service provider(s) did not demonstrate

readiness to provide the services as soon as funding is available or has no

experience with federal funding compliance.

Total Score 250

RECOMMENDED CDBG-CV PUBLIC SERVICE ROUND 2

AWARD SUMMARY

Applicant Sub applicant

Requested CDBG-

CV Amount

Recommended CDBG-

CV Award Amount Score

City of Manchester Families in Transition $500,000 $500,000 229

City of Concord

Concord Coalition to End

Homelessness $130,000 $130,000 188

Strafford County

Community Action

Partnership of Strafford

County $452,039.00 $424,859 150

Total $1,082,039 $1,054,859

APPLICANT AND SUBAPPLICANT APPLICATION SUMMARIES

City of Concord- $130,000- Concord Coalition to End Homelessness (Public Services)

Applicant City of Concord

Sub applicant and Request

Concord Coalition to End Homelessness ($114,000)

Total CDBG Request $130,000

LMI Beneficiaries 650 Beneficiaries/ 100% LMI

HUD CDBG National Objective Low Moderate Income Limited Clientele 24 CFR

570.483(b)(2) Homeless Presumed Group

HUD CDBG Eligible Activity Public Services (05)

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 4

The City of Concord is requesting $130,000 in CDBG-CV Public Service funds to support expanded

operations at the Emergency Winter Shelter and Homeless Resource Center operated by the

Concord Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH). The funding will support at least 650 individuals

experiencing homelessness; all are considered low-to moderate income as part of a HUD Presumed

Group.

Founded in 2008, CCEH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading homeless response provider for the

greater Concord region. It operates two core low-barrier programs-the Emergency Winter Shelter

(EWS) and the Homeless Resource Center (HRC)-both of which serve adults experiencing

homelessness from the City of Concord and surrounding communities within Merrimack County. The

EWS and HRC have operated continuously for 17 years and have a strong record of providing

services to people experiencing homelessness in Concord and surrounding communities. CCEH has

worked with the City of Concord since 2008 and the City has funded the operations, in part, of CCEH

for over a decade.

The CDBG-CV funds will support additional costs incurred due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on

homelessness, housing instability, and demand for basic-needs services. In response to escalating

post-pandemic need, CCEH is expanding its EWS evening hours and adding weekend warming

hours at the HRC to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have access to safe, warm space

every day of the week during the winter season. CCEH expanded weekday hours and piloted Sunday

warming center hours in early 2025. That pilot was successful, therefore the CCEH will add Saturday

and Sunday hours (1-4pm) during the winter shelter 2025-2026 season.

Applicant/Subapplicant Shelter(s) Requested Amount

City of Concord N/A $0

Concord Coalition to End Homelessness (sub

applicant)

Emergency Winter Shelter/ Homeless

Resource Center $114,000

CDBG Admin $16,000

Total $130,000

Recommendation – Staff notes there are sufficient funds available in this round to make an award

of $130,000 to this project. Staff recommends CDBG-CV funding for this project with the following

contingencies:

• Sufficient funds are available and allocated by HUD;

• There is no impact to the project’s score or rank due to the Administrative Review Procedure, which

shall be completed within 30 days of Advisory Committee approval;

• Requirements of the CARES Act, including Duplication of Benefits and other applicable

requirements;

• All other usual and customary CDBG contract terms; and

• The use of funds conforms with HUD and State regulations.

City of Manchester- $500,000- Families in Transition (Public Services)

Applicant City of Manchester

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 5

Sub applicant and Request Families in Transition ($250,000)

Total CDBG Request $500,000

LMI Beneficiaries 1,008 Beneficiaries/ 100% LMI

HUD CDBG National Objective Low Moderate Income Limited Clientele 24 CFR

570.483(b)(2) Homeless Presumed Group

HUD CDBG Eligible Activity Public Services (05)

The City of Manchester is requesting $500,000 in CDBG-CV Public Service funds to support shelter

operations at four different locations within the city. Half of the funding will be subgranted to Families in

Transition, to support operations at two of their shelters. The other half of the funding will be used to

support two shelters operated by the City of Manchester. The funding will support at least 1,008

individuals experiencing homelessness, all considered low-to moderate income as part of a HUD

Presumed Group.

The City of Manchester continues to experience an increase in housing insecurity and homelessness as a

result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many who find themselves homeless in other communities across the

state relocate to Manchester to utilize the resources that the city and area nonprofits provide, which many

other communities do not. In 2019, the City of Manchester established a Homelessness Task Force to

address the challenges of homelessness. A Homeless Coordinator position was created in 2021. COVID-

19 led to heightened homelessness as many jobs were lost and housing costs soared. The Director of

Homelessness Initiatives works with the Manchester Continuum of Care to streamline collaboration and

resources between 77 organizations which provide homelessness services and the city departments who

work closely with the homeless population.

The City of Manchester operates the 39 Beech Street shelter, which was established using ARPA funds in

response to the swelling number of homeless people after COVID-19. This is the only shelter in the city that

is equipped to house severely medically challenged individuals. It also serves as a winter warming station

for the entire homeless population. The City is working to wind down operations at this location at the end

of March 2026 due to the unsustainable long-term cost of operation. The City will be transitioning services

at a more cost-effective building located at 200 Elm Street. This new location will also serve as a winter

warming station to the homeless population at-large and as a 20-bed shelter. CDBG funds will be used to

support operations at 39 Beech Street shelter until its closure, at which point funds will then support start-up

operations at the new location.

Families in Transition (FIT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and end the cycle of

homelessness. The City of Manchester has worked closely with FIT to address the needs of the homeless

population for the past 25 years. FIT is the largest provider of shelters in Manchester, providing 138 beds to

men, women, and veterans experiencing homelessness, and an additional 11 bedrooms for families. They

also maintain 280 affordable apartment units that provide permanent, transitional, and recovery housing.

FIT’s family emergency shelter is the only shelter in the city that is designed to help homeless families stay

together. It consists of 11 rooms and 46 beds. It regularly operates at full capacity with an estimated waitlist

of 57 individuals. The adult emergency shelter is a low barrier, 138 bed shelter that ensures that all adults

struggling with homelessness have access to much needed resources such as substance use treatment,

food, and clothing, in addition to shelter. This shelter also operates at max capacity throughout the year,

with a regular waitlist. CDBG-CV funding will be used to support operating costs at both FIT shelters.

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 6

Applicant/Subapplicant Shelter(s)

Requested

Amount

City of Manchester 39 Beech Street Shelter/ 200 Elm Shelter $245,000

Families in Transition (sub applicant) Family Emergency Shelter/ Adult Emergency Shelter $245,000

CDBG Admin $10,000

Total $500,000

Recommendation – Staff notes there are sufficient funds available in this round to make an award

of $500,000 to this project. Staff recommends CDBG-CV funding for this project with the following

contingencies:

• Sufficient funds are available and allocated by HUD;

• There is no impact to the project’s score or rank due to the Administrative Review Procedure, which

shall be completed within 30 days of Advisory Committee approval;

• Requirements of the CARES Act, including Duplication of Benefits and other applicable

requirements;

• All other usual and customary CDBG contract terms; and

• The use of funds conforms with HUD and State regulations.

Strafford County-$ 452,039- Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC)

(Public Services)

Applicant Strafford County

Sub applicant and requested amount Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

(CAPSC)

Total CDBG Requested $452,039

LMI Beneficiaries 112 Beneficiaries/ 100% LMI

HUD CDBG National Objective Low Moderate Income Limited Clientele 24 CFR

570.483(b)(2) Homeless Presumed Group

HUD CDBG Eligible Activity Public Services (05)

Strafford County requests $452,039 in CDBG-CV Public Service funds to support the Home for Now

Shelter in Rochester, NH, and the Willand Warming Center in Somersworth, NH. The funding will support

at least 112 individuals experiencing homelessness, all considered low-to moderate income as part of

a HUD Presumed Group.

Since COVID-19, there has been a marked increase in homelessness in Strafford County, and this

trend appears to be accelerating. Roughly 70% - 80% of the calls that come into the CAPSC

Homeless Outreach Center are from newly unsheltered families who need reliable and safe shelter.

During the 2025 summer months, shelters statewide were at or above capacity with long waiting lists.

Strafford County operates the seasonal Willard Warming Center on behalf of the Tri-Cities (Dover,

Rochester, and Somersworth) through a third-party vendor. It is located at 30 Willand Drive in

CDAC 1/8/26 Page 7

Somersworth (in a building owned by the City of Dover) and offers 80 beds for winter emergency

sheltering. Operational costs have significantly increased over the years. CDBG funds will be used to

support salaries and benefits to operational costs.

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is a private nonprofit founded in 1965

with a mission to reduce barriers to help clients improve their economic stability and well-being.

CAPSC has been managing a homeless prevention and rapid re-housing program for twenty years.

They operate Home for Now, a year-round homeless shelter, located at 202 Washington Street,

Rochester, NH. The shelter has 10 rooms, totaling 32 beds, for individuals and families. CDBG-CV

funds will be used for operating support to cover essential expenses such as utilities, case

management, and direct client support that are not currently funded by other CAPSC programs.

Applicant/Subapplicant Shelter(s) Requested Amount

Strafford County Willard Center $150,000

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (sub applicant) Home For Now $268,039

CDBG Admin $34,000

Total $452,039.00

2/12/26