Neighborhood Excellence Initiative programs, to which the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has committed more than $20 million in 2008 for organizations, individuals, and students who have shown a commitment to improving and revitalizing their communities. Awards of up to $200,000 will be given to nonprofit Neighborhood Builders and $5,000 for individual Local Heroes. Deadline: June 27. (For more information..)

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants. Deadline: June 30. See Federal Register, 2/5/08, pp. 6696-99 or USDA Site. Contact a USDA Rural Development state office or Melvin Padgett, RD, (202) 720-1495.

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Technical Studies: HUD offering $4.3 million in grants. Deadline: July 3 (three days advance recommended to allow for validation by grants.gov). Contacts: for Lead Studies Program, Robert Weisburg at the Office of Healthy Homes & Lead Hazard Control, (202) 402-7687; for Healthy Homes Technical Studies Program, Dr. Peter Ashley, (202) 402-7595.

Lead-Based Paint Programs. HUD is offering $132 million in grants to state, local, and tribal governments. Applications due: for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control in Privately Owned Housing Program (LBPHC) and Operation Lead Elimination Action Program (LEAP), July 10; for Lead-Based Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program (LHRD), July 17. Matching funds: 10% for LBPHC, 25% for LHRD (for waiver of LHRD match, request due June 15). Other program changes apply. Contact Jonnette Hawkins, (202) 402-7593.

LEAD OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM Approximately $1.5 million is available under this program from current and previous years funding. Approximately 5 to 8 grants, minimum of $100,000 and maximum of $300,000, will be awarded. Academic and non-profit institutions located in the U.S., state and local governments, and federally recognized Native American tribes are eligible under all existing authorizations. For-profit firms are also eligible; however, they are not allowed to earn a fee (i.e., no profit can be made from the project). Partnerships are encouraged, but a lead applicant must be identified that will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all requirements specified in this NOFA. The application deadline date is July 17, 2008. For programmatic questions, contact by writing Dr. Suzanne Gaynor; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control; 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 8236; Washington, DC 20410-3000; or by telephone at (202) 402-7689 or Suzanne.M.Gaynor@hud.gov. For administrative questions, contact Curtissa L. Coleman, Grants Officer, at the address above or by telephone at: (202) 402-7580 or Curtissa.L.Coleman@hud.gov. For more information.

HUD Section 202 Demo, for nonprofits to create housing for very low-income 62+-year-old relatives raising children. Deadline: July 2. See Federal Register, 4/25/08, pp. 22759-76 or H UD site. Contact Aretha Williams, HUD, (202) 708-3000.

CD Technical Assistance Funds: HUD offering $27.9 million combined to five community development programs under HOME, HOME CHDO, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance, HOPWA, and CDBG. Deadline: July 3. Contact Mark Harwath, (202) 708-3176.

HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM This program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The primary objectives of the program are to expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing and preserve homeownership. Counselors provide guidance and advice to help families and individuals improve their housing conditions and meet the responsibilities of tenancy and homeownership. Counselors also help borrowers avoid inflated appraisals, unreasonably high interest rates, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and eventually foreclosure. Approximately $47 million is available for eligible applicants under this program NOFA. The application deadline date is July 9, 2008. For program related information, LHCAs, MSOs and SHFAs contact the HOC serving your area. For more information.

Section 538 Construction and Permanent Financing from USDA Rural Development. Second year of demonstration. Applicants who received Section 538 obligations between October 1, 2007 and April 4, 2008 can request a continuous guarantee for upcoming rounds by July 11 or September 29. See Federal Register, 4/21/08, pp. 21305-07 or HAC site or contact an RD state office.

SECTION 202 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM This program provides funding for the development and operation of supportive housing for very low-income persons 62 years of age or older. Private nonprofit organizations and nonprofit consumer cooperatives are eligible. Approximately $431.7 million in capital advance funds, plus associated project rental assistance contract (PRAC) funds and any carryover funds available. The application deadline date is on or before July 10, 2008. For additional information contact Alicia Anderson at HUD Headquarters at (202) 708-3000. Click here for more information.

SELF-HELP HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (SHOP) SHOP funds are awarded to national and regional nonprofit organizations and consortia demonstrating experience in administering self-help housing programs in which the homebuyers contribute a significant amount of sweat-equity toward construction or rehabilitation of the dwelling. The amount available for SHOP in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 is $26,500,000. Application deadline date is July 11, 2008. Contact: Ms. Lou Thompson, SHOP Program Manager, Office of Affordable Housing Programs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 7164, Washington, DC 20410-7000, telephone (202) 708-2684 for additional information. For more information.

SECTION 811 PROGRAM OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Approximately $99.3 million in capital advance funds plus associated project rental assistance contract (PRAC) funds and any carryover funds available. This program provides funding for the development and operation of supportive housing for very low-income persons with disabilities who are at least 18 years old. Application deadline date is July 16, 2008. For programmatic information, contact your local HUD office, or Marvis Hayward at HUD Headquarters at (202) 402-2255. Click here for more info.

HEALTHY HOMES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM HUD anticipates that approximately $4,375,000 in fiscal year 2008 and prior year funds will be available. Approximately four to five cooperative agreements will be awarded for a maximum of $875,000 each for the entire period of performance. Not-for-profit institutions and for-profit firms, state and local governments, housing authorities, federally- recognized Indian Tribes, and colleges and universities

Kresge Foundation Green Grants of up to $100K. Contact info@kresge.com, (248) 643-9630.

LEAD OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM Approximately $1.5 million is available under this program from current and previous years funding. Approximately 5 to 8 grants, minimum of $100,000 and maximum of $300,000, will be awarded. Academic and non-profit institutions located in the U.S., state and local governments, and federally recognized Native American tribes are eligible under all existing authorizations. For-profit firms are also eligible; however, they are not allowed to earn a fee (i.e., no profit can be made from the project). Partnerships are encouraged, but a lead applicant must be identified that will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all requirements specified in this NOFA. The application deadline date is July 17, 2008. For programmatic questions, contact by writing Dr. Suzanne Gaynor; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control; 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 8236; Washington, DC 20410-3000; or by telephone at (202) 402-7689 or Suzanne.M.Gaynor@hud.gov. For administrative questions, contact Curtissa L. Coleman, Grants Officer, at the address above or by telephone at: (202) 402-7580 or Curtissa.L.Coleman@hud.gov. For more information.

From the Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families Community Services Block grant Training and Technical Assistance Program: Capacity Building The purpose of this program is to improve the capacity of States in providing training and technical assistance to local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). This grant will support State CSBG offices in strengthening CAAs and ensure accountability within the network. It is anticipated that there will be 48 -- $75,000 grants awarded. The application deadline date is July 14, 2008. To request an application package contact: Yolanda J. Butler, Ph.D., Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Phone: 800-281-9519, Email: OCS@lcgnet.com For more information.

HOME Green Building Funds for CHDOs (Community Housing Development Organizations). Participating jurisdictions can apply by July 1. See Federal Register, 5/16/08, pp. 28663-97 or http://www.grants.gov. Contact Ginger Macomber, HUD, (202) 402-4605.

Dept. of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families Community Economic Development Program Operational Projects. Due date: June 25. Contact: Rafael J. Elizalde, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Phone: (800) 281-9519, URL: OCSGRANTS@ACF.hhs.gov.

HUD Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program. Due date: July 2. Contact Madlyn Wohlman-Rodriguez, (202) 402-5939 or Susan Brunson, (202) 402-3852.

HUD Notice of Funding Availability Policy Requirements and General Section to HUD's FY 08 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs Modification 2. (Info.) .

HUD Community Development Technical Assistance Modification 2. (Info.)

HUD Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program Modification 1. (Info.)

HUD Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Modification 1. (Info.)

HUD Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program Modification 1. (Info.)

HUD Housing Counseling Program Modification 3. (Info.)

HUD Housing Counseling Program Modification 1. (Info.)

HUD Healthy Homes Demonstration Program Modification 1. (Info.)

HUD Lead Outreach Grant Program Modification 1. (Info.)

See HAC News (http://www.ruralhome.org) for some of these and other listings.