New Funding Available to Remove Obstacles to Housing

Deadline to Apply is October 30, 2023

HUD has announced the availability of $85 million in planning grants through the new Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (“PRO Housing”) program. The PRO Housing Program will provide planning grants for entities to take steps to remove barriers to affordable housing, such as: 

• addressing outdated zoning and land use policies; 
• inefficient procedures; 
• gaps in available resources for development; 
• deteriorating infrastructure;
• lack of neighborhood amenities; or 
• preserving existing stock by improving resiliency to natural disasters or expiring affordability requirements.  

Grantees may use awards to further develop, evaluate, and implement housing policy plans, improve housing strategies, and facilitate affordable housing production and preservation. The program will use the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) framework and is therefore being administered through HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development.

PHAs will apply for funding through grants.gov; the NOFO will be posted to grants.gov and applications will open in September. An estimated 20 grant awards of between $1 million and $10 million will be made through this $85 million program. The application deadline is October 30, 2023. Aquick reference guide to the PRO Housing Program is available here.