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Notice of Funding Availability 

The Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) program provides residential developers with various subordinate financing options for transformative housing projects that make positive, visible impacts on our communities, and fulfill City housing priorities, such as affordability, availability, variety, and sustainability.

NOFA is a public gap financing tool that can be used for up to 40% of total project costs for housing development projects that stimulate investment and would otherwise not proceed. Funds may be used towards sire acquisitions, hard construction costs associated with renovation and new construction of residential space, and infrastructure improvements associated with the project.

 

Funding sources may include Home Investment Partnership Program (“HOME”), Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”), City Capital, and District TIFs. The amount of allocated financial assistance is limited by the availability of federal and local funding.

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Goal​

 

Cincinnati has a housing supply shortage; matched with increased demand, this leads to higher housing costs and a deficit of affordable housing options for residents. In recognition of this, the Department of Community and Economic Division ("DCED") aims to activate and encourage proactive and targeted housing development, supporting quality and diverse housing options, as well as supportive housing services for a variety of income levels. NOFA enables the City to help stimulate the creation of hundreds of units a year, thus helping to achieve Plan Cincinnati’s goals of providing a full spectrum of healthy housing options and to improve housing quality and affordability.

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NOFA Quick Facts​

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NOFA leverages private and philanthropic dollars to support the creation and preservation of rental units and homeowner opportunities. It often provides crucial gap financing to make development happen.

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  • Since 2015, $53.7 Million has been awarded to support the creation or preservation of 2,883 units, 2374 of which are affordable (Area Median Income ("AMI")-restricted; range varied depending on project between 30%-80%).

  • DCED evaluates all NOFA projects in a competitive process in alignment with City of Cincinnati housing policy objectives (such as affordability and quality)

Who Can Apply?

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  • All Developers

  • Non-Profit Development Organizations & Community Development Corporations

  • Community Housing Development Organizations

  • Community Based Development Organizations

  • Public Housing Authorities

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Overview of Process

 

NOFA funding is awarded through a competitive application process. At the start of the NOFA cycle, DCED releases guidelines and an Intent to Apply form, as well as separate online applications for homeowner and renter projects. Interested applicants must submit a response to the Intent to Apply form by the date listed in the Guidelines and form. The application and all associated attachments are due at a later date, as indicated in the Guidelines and application documents. DCED staff evaluate and recommend projects based on how well they meet City housing policy objectives (Note: scoring criteria are updated annually). Their recommendations are presented to the City Manager for final determination of awards. Contracts are then drafted between the City and the applicant.

NOFA Projects Across Cincinnati

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1901 Baymiller

Common Ground Community Development is renovating this building in the West End. It will have a restaurant on the ground floor (871 sq. ft. of commercial space) and seven units above, all targeted at 80% AMI. It received $400,000 of NOFA funding in 2023 for an estimated total project cost of $1.2 Million.

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938 Dayton Street

Grey Rock Development LLC are rehabilitating 938 Dayton St, a building that will include 6 units with a shared courtyard patio and a garden. The total project cost is around $1.3 million, and it received $425,000 in NOFA funds in 2024. The building will also achieve LEED certification. 

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Carthage Flats

Talbert Services, Inc. and Model Property Development, LLC are constructing a new building in the Carthage neighborhood with onsite parking, a community room, outdoor space, and rooms for service delivery. The project will be 45 housing units for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It received $2 Million of NOFA funding in 2023 for an estimated total project cost of $15.3 Million. It was also awarded LIHTC support and is predicted to achieve LEED Silver certification.

For more NOFA projects, check out our 2023 Annual Report.

 *2024 Application Closed; Check back for 2025*

Timeline​

 

NOFA is typically released at the link above in early February, with final applications due in May, and awards announced in August.

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Interested? Have questions? For more information, contact:

Breanna White, breanna.white@cincinnati-oh.gov

Morgan Rahe, morgan.rahe@cincinnati-oh.gov

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