Grants

Hernando County Housing & Supportive Services administers several grant-funded programs that support housing, community development, public health, and substance abuse prevention. 

Grants

Public Notice

Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Applications for Fiscal Year 2024, 2025, and 2026

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)


Hernando County has been awarded HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program Funding for Fiscal Years 2024/2025, 2025/2026, and 2026-2027 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (HUD). The purpose of the HOME Program is to provide decent affordable housing to lower income households.

Hernando County announces the availability of Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program funding to assist very low-income and low-income households up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the following amounts:

    • FY 2024-2025: Approximately $392,305
    • FY 2025-2026: Approximately $375,568
    • FY 2026-2027: Approximately $373,655

Applications for Program Year 2024, Program Year 2025, and Program Year 2026 are being accepted for the following HOME Programs beginning August 31, 2026, until further notice for the following activities:

    1. Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO)
      Set-Aside Funding Approximately $170,000 in HOME CHDO set-aside funds is available. CHDOs must meet the requirements of 24 CFR 92.2 and 92.300 proposing viable HOME-eligible development activities.
    2. Affordable Housing Development Funding
      Approximately $600,000 in HOME funds is available for the creation or preservation of affordable housing units.
    3. Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
      Approximately $240,000 in HOME funds is available to qualified organizations to administer TBRA Activities in accordance with 24 CFR Part 92. TBRA funds may be used for eligible activities such as rental assistance, security /utility deposits, and allowable administrative costs.

Eligible Applicants include Nonprofits, CHDOs, For-profit developers, and local government entities.

Applications are available online at: www.hernandocounty.us/living-here/housing-supportive-services/grants/

Applications must be submitted electronically to: HousingandSupportiveServices@HernandoCounty.us

Questions may be submitted to HousingandSupportiveServices@HernandoCounty.us

On This Page (Jump To):

Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)

What is the Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)?

Created in 1974 under the Housing and Community Development Act, Title I, the program supports projects that meet one or more of the following national objectives:

    • Benefit low and moderate-income persons
    • Prevent or eliminate slum or blight
    • Address urgent community development needs
Eligible Activities

The CDBG Program supports activities across several focus areas, including housing, economic development, public services, public facilities, and public infrastructure.


Examples of Eligible Activities:

Public Improvement / Public Infrastructure

  • Water or sewer improvements
  • Sidewalks
  • Streetlights
  • Drainage improvements

Public Facilities

  • Health facilities
  • Senior centers
  • Homeless facilities
  • Community centers

Public Services (15% CAP)

  • Childcare assistance
  • Rental assistance
  • Senior services
  • Veterans services

Housing

  • Rehabilitation
  • Home purchase assistance
  • Rental housing development
  • New housing construction

Economic Development

  • On-the-job training
  • Business incubators
  • Small business loans
  • Commercial façade programs
  

CBDG: Housing Rehabilitation Program

What is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program?

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program provides funding to make necessary repairs to income-eligible, owner-occupied homes.

Assistance may include:

    • Renovation of existing housing units
    • Demolition and replacement of unsafe or substandard housing units

Funding Availability

Funding availability will be announced when the program begins accepting applications.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Task Force

The Community Development Block Grant Task Force increases public awareness of the function of the Community Development Block Grant Program and the types of assistance available to low- and moderate-income residents.

In this role, the Task Force:

    • Reviews and provides input on the Action Plan, Consolidated Plan, Citizen Participation Plan, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
    • Provides input on the implementation of community projects

More information about the Task Force can be found below:

  • The Task Force consists of seven (7) members.
  • Each County Commissioner may nominate one (1) member from their respective district.
  • The County Commission appoints two (2) at-large members.
  • At least 51% of members must meet the low- and moderate-income definition (households at or below 80% of area median income).

Members serve four-year terms.

  • Meetings are held at least once annually by Hernando County Housing and Supportive Services.
  • Meeting times vary.
  • Citizens are welcome to apply at any time; however, applications are only considered when a vacancy occurs.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is a federal formula grant funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is the largest federal block grant designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.

HOME funds are used — often in partnership with local nonprofits — to build, purchase, and rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership, or to provide direct rental assistance to low-income residents.

Apply for HOME Funding

HOME Program Guide (2026)
HOME Program Application (2026)
HOME Program Application Scoring Checklist (2026)

HOME Notices & Resources

Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)

A CHDO is a private nonprofit certified to develop affordable housing using HOME set-aside funds. Hernando County is required to reserve at least 15% of its annual HOME allocation for CHDO-led projects.

To qualify, an organization must:

  • Have a mission focused on affordable housing for low-income residents
  • Maintain at least one-third low-income representation on its board
  • Employ paid staff with housing development experience
  • Serve a defined local or regional area that includes Hernando County (statewide organizations are not eligible)

CHDOs may serve as the project's Owner, Developer, or Sponsor. Certification is organizational approval only: it does not guarantee funding.

Hernando County HOME Rent & Income Limits

Please see the HOME Rent and Income Limits for Hernando County, effective 6/01/2025:
HOME 2025 Income and Rent Limits

Regulations & Guidance

Opioid Settlement Funds

Hernando County, along with other Florida counties and cities, agreed to the Florida Opioid Allocations and Statewide Response Agreement (the "Florida Plan"), which governs the allocation and use of opioid litigation settlement proceeds. Under this agreement, the State established City/County Funds and a Regional Fund to address the impact of opioid-related issues.

Regional Funds

Regional funds are received by the Managing Entity, Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems (LSF), on behalf of Hernando County.

City/County Funds

Hernando County's City/County Fund is distributed directly to the County. Housing and Supportive Services is designated to manage the recurring funding.

 

Key Documents

Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant (CJMHSA)

On September 12, 2016, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners approved LSF Health System to serve as lead applicant for the Florida Department of Children and Families grant opportunity "Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant (CJMHSA)," on behalf of the county.

The primary goal of the grant was to assess and plan for initiatives that increase public safety, avert increased spending on the criminal justice system, and improve the accessibility and effectiveness of treatment services for adults and youths who have a mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, who are in, or at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Program Contact

For questions or comments about any of the programs on this page, please contact:

Veda Ramirez
Director, Housing and Supportive Services

📞 Phone: (352) 540-4338
📠 Fax: (352) 540-4339

Related Documents

Annual Action Plan
CDBG & HOME Open Applications Public Notice
CDBG & HOME Training Workshop
Citizen Participation Plan
Contractor Application Packet
Community Housing Development Organization Guidelines And Certification Application
US Department Of Housing & Urban Development: 3 Year Consolidated Plan (2024 2026)

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