FY 2024 Community Project Funding Requests
Congressman Evans submitted the following 15 Community Project Funding requests for Fiscal Year 2024 for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, with accompanying Financial Disclosure Statements:
1. $2,000,000for Compassion Senior Living; intended recipient is Community of Compassion, Inc., 6150 Cedar Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project addresses social inequities and local disparities in a direct and measurable way. It would help mitigate climate change with the inclusion of a green roof and energy-efficient HVAC systems.
2. $2,000,000for Beech Senior Apartments; intended recipient is Beech Interplex, Inc. located at 1510 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19131. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would significantly increase the housing opportunities for low-income residents in a real estate environment where aging in place is increasingly difficult.
3. $1,900,000for Opportunities Apartments; intended recipient is Opportunity Services Corporation, 140 West Maplewood Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would meet a critical need for affordable housing among extremely low-income and low-income seniors.
4. $1,180,000 for Bringing the Future of Work to Disconnected Workers; intended recipient is Philadelphia OIC, 1231 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would provide state-of-the-art training that would give the residents in the area a distinct competitive advantage in the labor market, facilitating their connection to work that pays family-sustaining wages and career ladder job opportunities.
5. $1,000,000 for LA ERIC (Lancaster Ave.-Entrepreneurship Resource and Innovation Center); intended recipient is Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Business Association, 3500 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project would create a small business development hub in West Philadelphia that would help startups as well as established businesses grow and ensure early stage companies become successful.
6. $500,000 for Vaux Community Building Auditorium Renovation; intended recipient is Philadelphia Housing Authority, 2013 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the renovation would provide additional space for the use of the building's tenant organizations and the broader community, providing space for resident-owned businesses and community organizations.
7. $2,000,000 for Abigail Pankey Apartments; intended recipient is Women's Community Revitalization Project, 100 West Oxford Street, Suite E-100, Philadelphia, PA 19122. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because by providing truly affordable housing, Abigail Pankey Apartments provides an equitable housing solution to a changing neighborhood.
8. $3,000,000 for Beacon of Hope Affordable Housing Workforce Development, Transit Assisted Design by VETMOTO, 2214 Sepviva Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125. The funding would be used for broadening their existing services to include building 30 new affordable housing units to support severely underserved women and elderly veterans. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would help to minimize the Philadelphia Veterans Administration housing wait list which currently stands at over 200. This project would address a portion of the homeless population in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District.
9. $3,500,149 for Lower North Affordable Project; intended recipient is Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Inc., 1829 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project would create critically needed affordable homeownership options for Philadelphians who otherwise would be unable to purchase their home.
10. $900,000 for The Apartments at 40th Street Place; intended recipient is Mt. Vernon Manor, Inc., 631 N. 39th Street, Philadelphia 19104. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because The Apartments at 40th Street Place would ensure residents are able to withstand housing market pressures with tenant stabilization as a top priority.
11. $923,000 for Mt. Airy/Germantown Streetscape Improvement and Reconnection; intended recipient is Mt. Airy Business Improvement District, 6703 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the funding would be used to improve pedestrian safety along the commercial corridor by adding crossings at seven key intersections.
12. $900,000 for ELEVATE – Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Schoolyard Redevelopment; intended recipient is The Big Sand Box Inc., 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 320, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because population health is influenced by environmental conditions. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes.
13. $300,000 for Philly Schools Tree Canopy; intended recipient is the School District of Philadelphia, 440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Philadelphia urban forest removes an estimated 513 tons of air pollution per year, a $19 million annual value. Neighborhoods with fewer trees have higher rates of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease. Reducing pollution and increasing the tree canopy improves air quality and respiratory health.
14. $1,600,000 for Lamberton Schoolyard Improvement Project; intended recipient is the School District of Philadelphia, 7501 Woodbine Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19151. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project would provide low- to moderate-income families a space to play and experience STEM learning.
15. $2,000,000 for 52nd Street Streetscape Improvement; intended recipient is City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, 1515 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would be used for enhancing traffic safety measures, increasing community amenities, beautifying the area and prioritizing public transit safety and access. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would increase the safety, visibility and ease of access in one of Philadelphia's historic commercial corridors.
Past information:
The PA-3 Community Project Funding request deadline was 5:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The House Appropriations Committee will accept Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Community Project Funding requests. Each member of the U.S. House of Representatives may submit up to 15 community project funding requests across all subcommittees and eligible accounts in FY24.
Community project funding helps address pressing needs in PA-3 communities. The Office of Congressman Evans will select 15 projectsthat meet high ethical standards, have strong community support, and provide the appropriate proof of 501(c)3 designation.
The House Appropriations Committee cannot guarantee that all member-requested projects will be funded; this will depend on the availability of funds, demand for projects, and merit of individual projects.
Before submitting a request, carefully review resources prepared by the Office of Congressman Dwight Evans outlining requirements, processes, and eligible accounts (including guidance on realistic funding amounts for most accounts):
ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUESTS SHOULD BE EMAILED TOCOMMUNITYPROJECTSPA03@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PLEASE READ
- Only state and local government entities, public institutions, and non-profit entities are eligible to request and receive funding through this process. For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
- Funding is only for Fiscal Year 2024 – no multi-year funding requests.
- No waivers will be provided for state or local match requirements. Matching funds do not have to be in-hand prior to the request but requesting entities must have a plan to meet such requirements.
- Each FY24 community project will be subject to a new federal nexus requirement, which means each project must be tied to a federal authorization law. Selected projects will need to cite federal funding authorization under the U.S. Code or Public Law, as referenced in our Resource Guide.
- Selected projects must follow all applicable requirements (for example, a non-federal cost-share or participation in a program audit) in the authorized programs.
- Memorials, museums, and commemoratives (projects named for an individual or entity) are not eligible for FY24 community project funding.
- The deadline to submit a community project request is 5:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Inaccurate, incomplete, or late CPF requests will not be accepted.
- After a brief review period, our office will reach out to projects moving to the next round in the application process to request additional supplemental information necessary for the House Appropriations Committee to consider funding each project.
- Please be advised that information submitted through the Congressman's request form or in support of a community project funding request, as well as post-spending audit information, may be made public. Information about selected projects must be posted online according to House Appropriations Committee requirements. This could include the potential recipient, address, the requested amount, and an explanation of the request including purpose and a justification for why it would be an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. Upon completion, any selected project may also be subject to a mandatory audit administered by the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO).
ALL SELECTED PA-3 PROJECTS MUST PROVIDE THE FULL INFORMATION LISTED BELOW AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IMMEDIATELY UPON REQUEST.
- Provide proof of non-profit 501(c)(3) status if applicable
- Detailed budget breakdown and justification
- Note whether any funding for the project has been included in any presidential budget request and if so, find out how much, in which fiscal year, and from which agency or agencies and program(s).
- Note whether the project has received federal funding before and, if so, how much, when, and from which agency or agencies and program(s).
- Provide a detailed explanation of community need.
- Gather community support, which can include letters from elected officials and
community groups, local transportation or community development plans, publications including news articles, and any other documents that demonstrate public support for the project.
- Gather community support, which can include letters from elected officials and
- Document proof of your organization's ability to meet match state or local funding match requirements (if applicable)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES
For Agriculture projects
- Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Operations
- Contact the Pennsylvania State Conservation Office to discuss your project and to confirm its eligibility.
- Briefly describe how the project will reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, or other objectives that will help conserve, maintain, and improve natural resources.
- Note whether the project will conduct surveys, investigations, or research, and whether there is a plan to publish results of any such work. Also describe any preventive measures to be taken, such as engineering operations, methods of cultivation, or changes in land use.
For Homeland Security projects
- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants
- Consult with the Pennsylvania State Hazard Mitigation Officer
- For FY24 Homeland Security Appropriations projects, the State of Pennsylvania must submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and serve as the administrative agent for the grant on behalf of the entities responsible for the project (grant subrecipients).
For Interior and Environment projects
- EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for certain water infrastructure projects
- Public entities should be considered as the primary grantees to oversee the completion of the project, although non-profits will be considered on a limited basis.
- Note that for STAG water infrastructure projects, states have Intended Use Plans (IUPs) with drinking water and wastewater projects that have already been vetted by governmental officials.
- There is a minimum 20 percent cost share requirement for any portion of a project funded through a STAG infrastructure grant and in almost all cases, other federal funds cannot be used to meet this 20 percent cost share. Assistance provided by a state revolving fund, however, counts towards the project's matching requirement.
For Military Construction and VA projects
- Note that some Reserve Components require a state funding match.
For Transportation and HUD projects
- Economic Development Initiative Projects
- Selected projects approved by the House Appropriations Committee will be subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, HUD's NEPA-implementing regulations, and all applicable federal environmental and historic preservation laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. An environmental review must be completed before HUD funds and new commitments of non-HUD funds can be used on a project.
- Note that programmatic and operational expenses are NOT eligible. Also NOT eligible are museums, commemoratives, memorials, swimming pools, water parks, golf courses, health care facilities, venues strictly used for entertainment purposes (theaters and performing arts venues), and "buildings for the general conduct or government" like courthouses and town halls.
- Transit Infrastructure Projects
- Show that your project is supported by the state or local governmental authority that would administer the project. Inclusion in a Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) would satisfy this requirement.
- Show that your project is sponsored by designated recipients, states, or local governmental authorities.
- Check that your project conforms with federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Highway Infrastructure Projects
- Show that your project is supported by the state government that would administer the project. Inclusion in a Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) would satisfy this requirement.
- Show that your project is administered by public entities.
- Note that Highway Infrastructure Projects have a non-Federal cost share calculated on a sliding scale. The cost-share requirements are defined in statute and vary based on activity, location, and other factors.
- Check that your project conforms with federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Port Infrastructure Development Program
- Note that the Committee will prioritize projects at small inland river and coastal ports and terminals, as described in 46 U.S.C. 54301(b), and to discrete, smaller-scale projects at larger ports and intermodal connections to ports.
- Be aware that this program has a statutory non-Federal matching requirement, with potential exceptions for small and rural area ports. Applicants should review 46 USC sections 54301(a)(8) and 54301(b) for more information on these cost-share requirements before submitting requests for funding.
- Note that recipients are also required to comply with reviews and audits from the Department of Transportation.
- Additionally, these projects may be subject to various Federal requirements such as Buy America and the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI)
- Show that your project is supported by the state or local governmental authority that would administer the project; and
- Show that your project is sponsored by public entities.
- Check that your project does not include activities that are administrative in nature (including but are not limited to general operating expenses, rail-related research, and workforce activities) even if they are eligible expenses under the statutory citation.
- Projects will be subject to various Federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, and the National Environmental Policy Act.