Categorical Grants

Overview

The Grants Management Center (GMC) completes the entire grant application process for Categorical Grants, with the exception of HOPE VI. The GMC reviews, rates and ranks applications and offers recommendations for awards. HUD awards categorical grants on either a competitive, first-come, first-serve basis or by lottery.

Housing Choice Vouchers
(Formerly Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance for low-income families to find housing in the private market that they could not otherwise afford. The advantages of vouchers are that low-income families have access to neighborhoods with better schools and job opportunities and reduce the geographic concentration of low-income people that often occurs with Public Housing.

The GMC processes 2 categorical grants under the program:

	Family Self Sufficiency (FSS)
	Mainstream

Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS)

The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) is a competitive grant program that addresses the needs of public housing residents by providing supportive services that will: Enable the linking of essential services to public housing residents; Provide resident empowerment activities and assistance for residents to become economically self-sufficient; Provide resources to enhance independent living for the elderly and persons with disabilities; Provide capacity building skills to resident organizations; and Improve the overall quality of life for public housing residents.

There are five grant categories under ROSS:

	2008 Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS)-Service Coordinators Program (SC)
	2003-2007 Resident Service Delivery Models - Elderly/Persons with Disabilities
	2003-2007 Resident Service Delivery Models - Family/Homeownership
	2002 - 2005 Homeownership Supportive Services (HSS)
	Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency

The ROSS Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) is part of the Department-wide SuperNOFA process. The Term of the ROSS grants is 36 months from execution of the grant agreement.

Neighborhood Networks

The Public Housing Neighborhood Networks program provides grants to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to update and expand existing Neighborhood Network/community technology centers; or establish new Neighborhood Network centers. This may include work readiness and education activities, physical improvements, the purchase of computer equipment, Internet access or hiring a program coordinator with project management and information technology experience to manage job training activities and the overall operation of the NN computer centers.

Grant applicants are required to commit a 25 percent in cash or in-kind donations.

Neighborhood Networks

GMC Historical Grant Information

	Graduation Incentive Program
	Service Coordinators
	Capacity Building
	Certain Development
	Demolition and Revitalization
	Designated Housing
	Incremental (Fair Share)
	Resident Management and Business Development (RMBD)