Neighborhood Enhancement

Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP)

The NEP program’s primary goals are to identify and fund innovative activities to address a neighborhood’s specific needs; assist and then showcase Michigan neighborhood(s) where people are engaged and facilitating change; and to provide funding to facilitate and implement activities.   

The NEP program can financially assist high-impact, innovative, neighborhood housing-oriented activities that benefit low and moderate income areas and residents.  There are three eligible neighborhood components: 1) Beautification; 2) Neighborhood Public Amenity Enhancements; and 3) Housing Enhancements to owner-occupied single-family homes.  All three components are designed to fund tangible housing-oriented activities that are:  implementation ready; highly visible; impactful to the neighborhood and resident’s qualify of life; holistically/community focused; and where there is buy-in and demonstrated support within the neighborhood and community.

 

 

The Neighborhood Enhancement Program is an opportunity for local municipalities across Michigan to improve their communities. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding this program.

Q. Who can apply?
A. Nonprofit 501(c)3 agencies and local units of government that receive a combined total of less than $350,000 in annual CDBG/HOME allocations.

Q. What is the process?
A.  1st Step:  Formal submission of a Letter of Intent, support letters and neighborhood pictures – Deadline December 5th.
     2nd Step:  MSHDA reviews submissions and determines the Reservation of Funds – January/Early February 2020.
     3rd Step:  Notification and system access granted to complete partnership profile and applications based on reservation of funds – February 2020.
     4th Step:  Partnership profile and application submitted, reviewed and approved – March/Early April 2020.
     5th Step:  Grant agreement prepared and executed April/May 2020.
     6th Step:  Once grant agreement is complete – Program guidelines approved, pre-approval forms submitted and Notice to Proceed issued.
     7th Step:  Work begins on or after June 1, 2020 and ends by December 31, 2020.

Q. Where does the grant come from?
A. NEP grant funds come from MSHDA general operating dollars.

Q. When can I apply?
A. Letter of Intent deadline for the current round is December 5, 2019.

Q. When are grants awarded?
A. The current round is scheduled to be awarded in spring 2020.

Q. What can the grant be used for?
A. At least 50% must be used for housing enhancements and up to 50% of the remaining dollars may be used for neighborhood and public amenity enhancements.

Q. What have past grantees used the funds for?
A. Past projects have included accessibility improvements such as porches, entranceways/sidewalks, ramps and driveways. Other residential investment has included windows, doors, siding, paint and roofs. Finally, there have been park improvements, orchards, community gardens, playground equipment, pavilion installation/repair, water faucet installation, trails, paths and signage.

Q. Who do I contact with questions?
A. Submit written questions to the hidmailbox@michigan.gov | Housing Initiatives Division NEP Contact Directory.

NEP Compliance Manual

Neighborhood Handbook
Notice to Proceed Template
NEP Pre-Approval Request Form
Training Manual/System User's Guide
NEP Self-Certification Form Template

NEP grant application deadline is December 5, 2019