CDA Announces more than $16 Million Available in 2025 Neighborhood Transformation Grants

City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration (CDA) is launching the third year of Neighborhood Transformation Grants, with more than $16 million in available funding for projects that support affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and public space improvements. 

Since its inception, Neighborhood Transformation Grants have directed millions of dollars toward new housing construction, rehabilitation of vacant properties, neighborhood clean ups, community art, neighborhood organization capacity building, the activation of vacant land into community spaces, and much more, ensuring that neighborhoods across the City of St. Louis receive critical investment.

“We want development to happen with the community, not to the community. The Neighborhood Transformation Grants are a great example of how we make that happen, creating more affordable housing, equitable development, and neighborhood revitalization,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This work will have a lasting impact in communities across the city, improving the quality of life for residents and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.”

“The Neighborhood Transformation Grants are a critical tool for addressing vacancy, improving public spaces, and expanding affordable housing opportunities,” said CDA Executive Director Nahuel Fefer. “We are excited to see how local organizations and developers use these funds to implement impactful projects to heal the historic scars of segregation and redlining that we see in vacant buildings.”
 

More information, a link to the application portal, training resources dates, application attachments, and other more can be found at www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/neighborhood-nofa. For the 2025 funding cycle, CDA will invest in five key Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) categories:

• Affordable Housing Production NOFA ($6 million) – This funding, provided through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funds, will support new construction and rehabilitation of residential and mixed-use developments. It will also fund homeownership assistance for residents purchasing city-subsidized homes. Projects utilizing CDA-assisted and Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) properties will receive additional consideration.
• HOME-ARP Permanent Supportive Housing NOFA ($4.89 million) – Supported by HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds, this grant will assist in the development of permanent supportive housing and related services for qualifying populations, including those experiencing homelessness.
• PRO Housing NOFA ($3.25 million) – Funded through the federal Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program, this initiative will provide resources for the rehabilitation of city-owned residential properties in the Dr. Martin Luther King Drive Demonstration Area. The goal is to increase the supply of affordable housing, stabilize neighborhoods, and address blight.
• Neighborhood Plan Implementation NOFA ($1.5 million) – This funding, sourced from Economic Development Sales Tax revenue, will support large-scale implementation of adopted neighborhood plans. Awarded funds must be used to support the implementation of a neighborhood plan that has been adopted by the City of St. Louis Planning Commission within the last 6 years or anticipates adoption by July 1, 2025.
• Community Development Grants: Neighborhood Beautification & Green Community Spaces NOFA ($500,000) – This funding will support vacant lot beautification, green infrastructure, and public space activation. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $100,000, ensuring that significant projects can be implemented to transform underutilized land into publicly accessible parks, gardens, and gathering spaces. This grant will also fund community-driven efforts to improve green infrastructure, scale-up litter pick-ups, install public art, and activate vacant spaces for recreational and environmental purposes.

Neighborhood Transformation Grants Housing NOFA Workshop

To assist applicants in navigating Neighborhood Transformation Grants funding process, CDA will host an all-day NOFA Workshop on April 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 1520 Market Street. This workshop is mandatory for first-time applicants and will provide critical guidance on HUD regulations, funding priorities, compliance requirements, and the application process.

NOTE: This workshop is for applicants for: 

• Affordable Housing Production NOFA 
• HOME-ARP Permanent Supportive Housing NOFA 
• PRO Housing NOFA

Attendees will receive hands-on assistance with forms and budget submission requirements and learn how to successfully manage federally funded projects. The workshop will also serve as a networking opportunity for CDA staff, developers, and neighborhood leaders as part of the return CDA’s Community Development Week. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged and lunch will be provided! A hybrid option will be available, with Zoom details posted prior to the event.

Proposals are due on June 13, 2025.

Building a Stronger St. Louis Through Investment

Since its launch in 2023, the Neighborhood Transformation Grants program has funded projects that rehabilitate vacant housing, expand affordable housing options, and activate underutilized spaces. In 2024, CDA awarded over $23  million for initiatives such as vacant unit rehabs, neighborhood plan implementation, and beautification of vacant lots. As part of these investments, CDA has used these funding opportunities to ramp-up the production of affordable housing. Between 2021 and 2025, the City is subsidizing the development of over 3700 units, which is up from 1261 units funded between 2015 and 2019. Explore the City investments map to learn more.

The 2025 Neighborhood Transformation Grants continue to align with the City’s Economic Justice Action Plan, ensuring that investment reaches historically underserved communities and promotes long-term neighborhood stability.

For more information, visit theCDA Neighborhood Transformation Grants webpage and subscribe to CDA’s e-newsletter for updates.

About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The CDA serves as the City of St. Louis' hub for federal, state, and local funds, implementing the Mayor's economic justice agenda. By funding public and nonprofit entities, the CDA supports a wide range of initiatives, including public services, affordable housing development, blight eradication, and other community development activities.