Technical Assistance

The Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) has secured funds to provide technical assistance to microenterprise programs, community economic development projects, and HOME-funded housing projects sponsored by nonprofit community-based organizations or local government. Technical assistance is provided in the form of OCDCA staff or consultants paid by OCDCA.

Resources are provided by a CHDO Technical Assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and from the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships (OHCP) of the Ohio Department of Development through a training and technical assistance grant from the CDC Grant Program of the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. Please see below for additional technical assistance information by type.

Technical Assistance Providers (pdf)

Affordable Housing

Assistance for affordable housing projects can be provided to nonprofit organizations and local governments that must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Newly designated CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization),
  • Have HOME*-funded project(s) in concept development,
  • Completing HOME*-funded project(s), or
  • Already completed and owned HOME*-funded housing development(s)

Technical assistance can be requested in any of the following applicable areas:

  • Project Development and Management.   For example, funding applications, project management, project concept, site selection, site control, choosing a development team, feasibility analysis, financial structuring, construction management, asset management planning, Asset Management Plan, etc.
  • Organizational Development.   For example, assistance in meeting the CHDO standards being developed by OHFA and the Ohio CDC Association
  • Other Technical Assistance Needs

Examples of recent technical assistance provided by OCDCA include:

  • Revised marketing plan for completed HOME*-funded project owned by CHDO.
  • Site selection review and assistance in pre-development evaluation of a potential HOME*-funded project.
  • Development of marketing plan, materials, presentation and contracts for Universal Designed homes to the disabled for a HOME*-funded project in the completion stage.
  • Feasibility Study.
  • Succession planning, budgeting and diversifying income sources of existing CDHO.

* HOME is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.

Microenterprise

FY 2011 Microenterprise Business Development Program Notice of Funding Availability and Training (pdf)

Assistance can be provided to nonprofit organizations and local governments that have or are looking at creating a microenterprise program. OCDCA will offer microenterprise technical assistance in areas that may include but are not limited to:

  • Micro-lending
  • Recruitment
  • Program design
  • Resource development
  • Other issues related to micro-enterprise

To make a formal request for technical assistance:
    Notice of Funds Available - Microenterprise (pdf)
    Self-Assessment Form - Microenterprise (pdf)

Community Economic Development

Assistance can be provided to nonprofit organizations and local governments that have projects in concept development or in the planning stages in the area of community economic development. Development of strategic plans for CED activities (for either an organization or a community) is also eligible for technical assistance.

OCDCA will offer community economic development technical assistance in areas that may include but are not limited to:

  • How to get started in community economic development
  • Small business lending
  • Commercial real estate development
  • Initiating and operating a small business incubator
  • Creating businesses to employ low income individuals
  • Real estate financing
  • Brownfields restoration
  • Assistance with applications for CED funding and financing
  • and working with financial institutions

To make a formal request for technical assistance:
    Notice of Funds Available - CED (pdf)
    Self-Assessment Form - CED (pdf)

It is recommended that you contact Amy J. Rosenthal at arosenthal@ohiocdc.org to verify the availability of funds before applying. Requests will be processed in the order in which they are received. The actual delivery time of technical assistance varies, depending upon the organization and technical assistance provider. Please Note: To make a formal request for technical assistance you MUST be a member of the Ohio CDC Association.