Hennepin County uses the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help meet the goals and priorities in the drafted 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan in suburban Hennepin County cities.
The Cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, and Plymouth receive their CDBG directly from HUD. On behalf of the Urban County, Hennepin County allocates some CDBG program funds directly to certain cities (Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park, and Maple Grove), and awards the remainder through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) in the first quarter of each year with set-asides for specific kinds of projects -- one for social services, one for capital funds, and one for fair housing activities.
Resources and additional information on the eligible activities for CDBG can be found on the HUD Exchange on the HUD Exchange webpage.
The HOME-CDBG Guidebook also provides a helpful overview of eligible activities and projects using CDBG.
Social service activities
The social services set aside is intended to fund social service activities that provide quality housing, ensure a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income families and individuals in suburban Hennepin County. Eligible social services include (but are not limited to) emergency assistance, tenant advocacy, and family, youth, and senior services.
Capital projects
The capital projects set aside will fund activities such as rental or owned housing rehabilitation, public facilities and infrastructure improvements, property acquisition for affordable housing or neighborhood revitalization, and other community development activities serving low and moderate income households.
Only activities that will occur in “Consolidated Pool” cities are eligible for funds through the Capital Projects RFP. Consolidated Pool cities, for-profit or non-profit developers or providers, or the County may apply on their own or in partnership.
View the map of Consolidated Pool cities (PDF)
Fair housing projects
The set aside for Fair Housing projects will be awarded to those that further access to fair housing within Hennepin County. These activities may include (but is not limited to) Pairs Testing, fair housing education and outreach, and legal services. Funding is available for activities in Hennepin County, excluding Minneapolis, Bloomington, Plymouth, and Eden Prairie.
In 2025, an anticipated $400,000 in CDBG will be available for CDBG Social Services, approximately $1,100,000 will be available for CDBG Capital activities, and approximately $230,000 will be available for CDBG Fair Housing activities through the 2025 CDBG RFP.
This RFP has been released as of January 24, 2025 with proposals due by 3 p.m. on February 20, 2025. See below for additional details on how to apply.
Expanding the impact of CDBG
The 2025 RFP will be structured to expand the impact of the CDBG program to meet the needs of residents across suburban Hennepin County. All CDBG activities must meet national objectives and meet a priority need of the drafted Five-Year Consolidated Plan for suburban Hennepin County. Those needs are:
- Preserve and Create Multifamily Rental Opportunities – highest priority for units affordable to households with incomes below 30% of the area median income
- Preserve and Create Single Family Homeownership Opportunities – highest priority for units affordable to households with incomes below 60% of the area median income
- Create Housing Opportunities for Homeless Populations
- Neighborhood Revitalization
- Economic Development
- Promote, target, and/or reduce access barriers for all activities to Black, Indigenous, and people of color and people with low and moderate incomes.
Access the RFP and apply
All proposals must be submitted through the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.
- Visit the Supplier Portal
- View the RFPs by selecting “Contracting opportunities”
- Select the Event Name to view the event details
- Select View Documents to view attachments
To apply you must be registered and signed into the Supplier Portal. Follow the steps in this guide or video if you haven’t previously registered: