Contingency Fund
Imminent Threat

• Downtown Revitalization and Sustainable Community Call for Projects [MS Word: 345k]

Up to five (5) percent of the State's CDBG allocation is reserved to assist communities that: a) experience an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare that necessitates corrective action sooner than could be accomplished through the annual competitive program or b) demonstrate sustainable community activities. Communities in need of these funds submit a written request to IDED. Requests are accepted any time during the year. Upon receipt of a request for funding, IDED will determine whether the community and project are eligible for funding. This determination will be made in consultation with appropriate federal, state and/or local agencies. No more than $1 million may be utilized for community demonstration projects. IDED will consider funding a contingency project only if it meets all the criteria from either a or b below:

1. Projects addressing a threat to health and safety:
   • The project must meet one of the three national objectives of CDBG;
   • It must be eligible;
   • An immediate threat must exist to health, safety or community welfare that requires immediate action;
   • The threat must result from unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances or events;
   • No known alternative project or action would be more feasible than the proposed project;
   • Sufficient other local, state or federal funds (including the competitive CDBG program) either are not available or cannot be obtained within the time frame necessary to address the problem.
2. Projects addressing demonstrating sustainable community activities:
   • The project must be eligible under the CDBG program;
   • The project must meet on of the three national objectives of CDBG;
   • The project is consistent with sustainability and smart growth principles;
   • The project provides a beneficial impact on the standard of living and quality of life of proposed beneficiaries;
   • The project can be ready to proceed and be completed in a timely manner;
   • The project leverages the maximum amount of local funds possible;
   • The project will continue to remain viable after CDBG assistance;
   • The project meets the funding standards established by the minimum funding criteria set forth in the rule;
   • Applicants provide adequate information to IDED on total project design and cost as requested;
   • The project is innovative and could be replicated in other communities;
   • The project meets or exceeds the minimum building and site design criteria established by IDED.

If IDED determines the community and the proposed activity are eligible for funding, it shall notify the community of its decision to fund the project.

For more information, contact cdbg@iowalifechanging.com or 515.725.3062.