Our Projects 

Our team provides assistance to nonprofits to increase capacity of existing programs to serve our low to moderate-income population. Our established priorities are job creation/training, housing & homelessness.

• Income verification form for CDBG
• Notice of funding availability via Community Services here.
  • Scoring matrix
• Notice of funding availability via the Community Foundation here
• Playing by the rules guidebook via U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
• Request for applications & notice of funding availability

Federal Funding for Community Development

Marion County utilizes an array of federal funding sources from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to further economic and community development.

Learn more about programs our office uses to better our community below.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

The HOME program provides grants to Marion County which can be used to create affordable housing solutions for low-income households. 

Find more information about the HOME Program here!

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) 

The CDBG program provides annual grants to Marion County. We are an entitlement County due to exceeding 200,000 people in population according to HUD requirements. Marion County utilizes CDBG funds to expand public infrastructure, rehabilitate residential structures, & for community & economic development.

For example, CDBG funding allowed our team to assist the Florida Center for the Blind in Marion County with construction of a new facility.

Read more about CDBG funding here!

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

The NSP program is a federal HUD grant program designed to provide assistance to communities with high rates of abandoned and foreclosed homes become more stable. We use NSP funding to sponsor acquisition of abandoned &/or vacant properties for development of affordable housing.

Read about eligible activities under the NSP program here!

2019-24 Consolidated Plan & 2021 Action Plan, including HOME-American Rescue Plan (ARP) Allocation Plan

Marion County Community Services is an entitlement county recipient of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

Marion County may use such funds for activities including:

• development & support of affordable housing
• tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA)
• provision of supportive services
• acquisition & development of non-congregate shelter units

Notice of Amendment to the 2021 HOME ARP Allocation Plan

View the Notice of Amendment here!  

NOTE: If translation services are required to allow participation by non-English speaking residents or reasonable accommodations of a disability are needed for you to participate in this process, please contact the ADA Coordinator/HR Director at (352) 438-2345 at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the deadline, so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Community Development FAQs & Information

Browse the topics below to view community development related documents & plans or select a topic from the dropdown menus below for community development FAQs.

Aviso de audiencia pública para el año fiscal 2022-23