FY2026 Community Development Block Grant RFP

The City of Newton's Housing and Community Development Division announces the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for Fiscal Year 2026. During the FY26/FFY25 program year, the City anticipates receiving approximately $1,900,000 in CDBG funds and $164,000 in ESG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

CDBG Funds Available: The City of Newton allocates part of its CDBG dollars to fund human service activities that serve low- and moderate-income residents of Newton. Approx. $296,000 will be available for programs that support and enhance the lives of vulnerable low- and moderate-income Newton residents across the lifespan. Applicants must be a certified 501(c)(3) organization or municipal entity. Applications are available online as of January 3, 2025 at: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/newtonma/Participant

Applicants must register on Neighborly Software with an email address and password. The application will be accessible after registration. A mandatory technical assistance session will be held on Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM via Zoom. To participate in this virtual meeting, please RSVP by emailing Nika Sandal at nsandal@newtonma.gov.  

Applications must be submitted by 5:00PM on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Anticipated 2025 (FY2026) Timeline

  • January 3, 2025: FY24 CDBG Human Service RFP is released.
  • January 31, 2025: Deadline for RFPs.
  • February 12-16, 2025: Proposals Reviewed.
  • April 1, 2025: Funding recommendations presented to Planning and Development Board for Approval at the Public Hearing.
  • April 1 - April 30, 2025: Public comment period.
  • April 8, 2025: FY26 Annual Action Plan presented to ZAP.
  • May 2025: Mayor approves FY26 AAP.
  • May 10, 2025: Submission of FY26 AAP to HUD.
  • July 1, 2025: Funding year begins (funds are not anticipated until September 2025, at the earliest).
  • June 30, 2026: Funding year ends. 

Program Overview

The City of Newton's Human Service grants support programs and/or interventions that focus on advancing low- and moderate-income populations toward achievement of economic mobility and/or stability across the lifespan.

Annually, the City of Newton allocates fifteen percent (15%) of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support human services that benefit low- and moderate-income residents of Newton. Beneficiaries must have an income at or below eighty percent (80%) of the Area Median Income or be considered “presumed eligible”.

Allocations to agencies are based on priority needs outlined through the five-year Consolidated Planning Process (FY21 - FY25).

  • Employment training

  • Affordable childcare

  • Recreational and wellness programming for senior citizens

  • Mental health services

  • Financial literacy

  • Youth programs

The following groups are presumed eligible, per HUD guidelines: abused children, battered spouses, severely disabled adults, homeless persons, illiterate adults, persons with AIDS, and elderly people.

Distribution of Funds

Newton Housing & Community Development Division staff annually issues a notice of availability for CDBG Human Service funds for the fiscal year. Funds are awarded to nonprofit agencies through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process and are reviewed by Division Staff and an RFP Review Committee.

The Committee presents an allocation recommendation to the Planning and Development Board, who then makes a recommendation to the mayor. The mayor makes the final decision regarding the distribution of grant funds to applicants.

Human Service FY26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Collage

Priorities for Human Service Grants

Allocations of Human Service funds are based on priority needs outlined through the five-year Consolidated Planning Process (FY21-FY25) to care for low- and moderate-income residents across the lifespan, as detailed below.

Program Area Proposed Outcome of Services
Enrichment and Care for Vulnerable Youth Ages 0-18 years
  • Provide skill building in any area (academic, physical, social, emotional, or financial literacy) with a demonstrated outcome of increasing children’s well-being.
  • Provide physical and/or mental health services that meet a need otherwise unlikely to be met.
  • Increase high school graduation rates, college readiness, college enrollment rates and/or career identification/pathways for at-risk students.
Stability and Self-Sufficiency for Vulnerable Adults Ages 19-61 years
  • Promote career preparation and family support with an emphasis on jobs that pay self-sustaining and/or family-sustaining wages.
  • Promote increased stability for populations who are at the highest risk of “falling through the cracks” including interventions for becoming more independent once stabilized, such as financial coaching or literacy.
  • Provide physical and/or mental health services that meet a need otherwise unlikely to be met.
Promoting Economic Security and Vitality for Older Adults, Aged 62+
  • Increase the number of vulnerable older adults with long-term financial plans that will provide economic stability throughout retirement.
  • Provide currently underserved and/or isolated vulnerable older adults with new social networks and/or community engagement opportunities including lifelong learning, volunteer opportunities and/or “encore careers.”
  • Provide physical and/or mental health services that meet a need otherwise unlikely to be met.

Additional Resources

For more information on Human Services, please contact Nika Sandal, Senior Community Development Planner, nsandal@newtonma.gov

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Human Services

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