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ACCESSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC & COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

(REMOVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS)

Increasing access to essential goods and services in downtown or main street districts as well as other non-residential buildings in the community, this program funds the removal of architectural barriers that restrict the accessibility or mobility of elderly or severely disabled adults.

FUNDING

$50,000

per building

$200,000

city-wide project

MATCH

25%

of the total project cost (minus administration)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

September 30, 2024

HOW TO APPLY

Qualify

  • done
    Have an acceptable use project
  • done
    Benefit low-to-moderate income households
  • done
    At least 25% matching funds

SEE IF YOUR COMMUNITY QUALIFIES

check qualifications programs and more

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Program Overview

Funding Amounts

$500,000 has been allocated for the ADA Improvement Program in 2024. Communities can receive up to $50,000 per building, or up to $200,000 for a city-wide project. Administration costs are limited to $10,000 for a single building, or $20,000 for a city-wide project.

Qualifying Projects

This program funds projects to increase access to essential goods and services in downtown or main street districts as well as other non-residential buildings in the community. Eligible expenses include:

  • Removal of physical architectural barriers that restrict the accessibility or mobility of elderly or severely disabled adults.
  • Costs for and installation of eligible improvements which could include automatic doors, ramps, and chair lifts.
  • Architectural design for projects.
  • Administration costs for grant funds.

Grant applications are evaluated for funding based on project need, readiness, impact, sustainability and matching funds source and availability.

Key considerations include:

  • Projects that provide a benefit to elderly or adults meeting the Bureau of Census’ Current Population Reports definition of “severely disabled”.
  • Communities who have not been awarded a CDBG Grant in the annual competition within the last five years in Housing, Community Facilities, or Water and Sewer will receive 10 bonus points on their application rating.
  • 10 bonus points will be awarded if at least 10% of local match comes from other private sources such as foundations (not bonds or state and federal agencies).
  • Download grant guidelines for more information on program requirements.

FAQs

How do we meet a National Objective to be eligible for ABR?

To qualify under the presumed benefit national objective:

  • Removal of architectural barriers to:
    • The mobility of elderly persons, or
    • The severely disabled will be presumed to qualify under this category if it is restricted, to the extent practicable, to the removal of such barriers by assisting.
  • Definition of Severely Disabled Persons are considered severely disabled if they:
    • Use a wheelchair or another special aid for 6 months or longer.
    • Are unable to perform one or more functional activities (seeing, hearing, having one’s speech understood, lifting, carrying, walking up a flight of stairs, and walking).
    • Need assistance with activities of daily living (getting around inside the home, getting in or out of bed or a chair, bathing, dressing eating, and toileting) or instrumental activities of daily living (going outside the home, keeping track of money or bills, preparing meals, doing light housework, and using the telephone).
    • Are prevented from working at a job or doing housework.
    • Have a selected condition including autism, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, senility or dementia, or mental retardation; or
    • Are under 65 years of age and are covered by Medicare or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
How do you define “severely disabled adults”?

“Severely disabled adults” are adults that: Use a wheelchair or another special aid for 6 months or longer Are unable to perform one or more functional activities (seeing, hearing, having one’s speech understood, lifting and carrying, walking up a flight of stairs and walking) Need assistance with activities of daily living (getting around inside the home, getting in or out of bed or a chair, bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting) or instrumental activities of daily living (going outside the home, keeping track of money or bills, preparing meals, doing light housework and using the telephone) Are prevented from working at a job or doing housework Have a selected condition including autism, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, senility or dementia, or mental retardation; or Are under 65 years of age and are covered by Medicare or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What is the best way to get started?

This is up to the city. They might want to involve the Chamber of Commerce to determine which businesses want to participate or drive downtown to see which businesses could use assistance.

What if a business does not want to participate?

CDBG has no rule on who must participate or not.

Who must provide the match?

It can be the city, businesses, a foundation, or any combination of these suggestions.

Show All FAQs

Tips for Success

Communities should survey your NON-residential, public or private structures in your community to identify buildings that have existing barriers that limit access to goods or services.

Ensure the beneficiaries of any identified building/businesses providing goods and services are primarily serving elderly or severely disabled adults.

The scope of work needs to be restricted to ONLY addressing the architectural barriers within a building. No larger scope of work is permitted.

Gathering letters of support is a great way to enhance your grant application. Get a broad base of community leaders to confirm the importance of your project.

Community Showcase Map

See other communities that have received funding in past years

How to Apply

Qualify

LMI help The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet a community development need having a particular urgency.

View LMI Family Income Limits for
Persons in
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LMI Family Income Limit*
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*LMI calculations are from 2015 Census and LMI by household are from 2023 HUD Section 8. Final LMI will be confirmed upon application review.

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Find Assistance

Assistance from a professional with CDBG grant experience can help you streamline and strengthen your application. Some or all of the costs to engage help can be covered by your award.

Find Pros in Your Area
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Have Questions?

Email Timothy Parks, CDBG Specialist,
[email protected]
(785) 480-8072
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