Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced that the City and County of Honolulu is accepting applications from organizations and nonprofit agencies for $8 million in Community Development Block Grants and $3.5 million in HOME Investment Partnership funds. Both programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Community Development Block Grants are available for projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons.HOME money, meanwhile, is available to community housing development organizations and other qualified private nonprofit organizations to develop and support affordable rental housing and homeownership affordability. Community housing development organizations seeking to develop multifamily rental housing are given top priority.

The request for proposals is available at the Division of Purchasing, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St., Room 115, or online at www.honolulu.gov/pur.

The city will hold an informational and orientation meeting for prospective applicants on Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. at Mission Memorial Auditorium, on the Fasi Civic Center grounds. City officials will describe the CDBG and HOME programs. The deadline for applications for both grant programs is 4 p.m. on Oct. 2.

The city’s online e-mail notification system will continue to allow applicants for federal grants, available through the city’s CDBG and HOME programs, to receive e-mail notification of funding opportunities whenever they become available. Applicants may register at: www.honolulu.gov/budget/cdbg.htm.