We are a steward of critical Section 4 resources, providing funding, technical assistance and training to enhance the capacity and ability of Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to address community needs and serve people with low incomes in urban, rural and Tribal communities.

Since our founding more than 40 years ago, we’ve built the institutional knowledge and partnership network needed to ensure grants and other types of funding reach underserved communities efficiently and effectively. Through a combination of national experts and field-based staff with local market knowledge and relationships, we accountably deploy funds to a diverse cross-section of communities.

Section 4 is a nonprofit capacity building program made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose is to support the organizational and technical capacity of CDCs and CHDOs to carry out community development and affordable housing programs and business operations.

Our Impact

We have been helping organizations build capacity while maximizing the impact of Section 4 funding since the grant’s inception.

Direct Grants

702

Community Housing Organizations over the past 10 years were awarded direct grants

Created or Preserved

45K homes

over the past decade, generating an estimated 71,571+ jobs focusing on the country’s most underserved communities

PROVIDED More Than

$143M

in competitive grants and loans and leveraged $12.1 billion in capital through Section 4 in the past 10 years

How we do it

Image
A little girl in Native regalia standing outside

Reach underserved communities

Through a combination of national experts and field-based staff with local market knowledge and relationships, we accountably deploy funds to a diverse cross-section of communities.

Build additional capacity

We help community groups build their own capacity to attract funding. For every dollar we distribute, community development organizations leverage an additional $95 in public and private capital to create and preserve more affordable homes.

Image
Two men working on the roof of a building
Image
A person holding a piece of paper and reading into a microphone

Optimize operational efficiency

Our dedicated team of experts monitors, evaluates and optimizes our Section 4 work.

Image
A woman speaking to a group and pointing to a map on an easel
Our organization made major headway in pursuing and developing Homestead Community Development Corporation’s homeownership programs, none of which would have been possible without Section 4 funding. This is exactly the kind of support smaller CDCs like ours need to launch important community projects like this.
Robin Puanani Danner, CEO, Homestead Community Development Corporation

Application process

Organizations dedicated to creating affordable housing and strengthening communities can apply for Section 4 funding through a competitive selection process.

Who can apply

  • CDCs & CHDOs
    Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) operating within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply
  • Rural and Native American CDCs and CHDOs
    Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) and Tribal Housing Authorities (THAs) are also eligible

We are now accepting applications for 2024 from organizations serving rural and tribal communities. Applications for those supporting urban communities close on December 6.

A mother holding her little girl in her arms as they both smile.
Secure & Maximize Section 4 Funding
We help CDCs, CHDOs, Tribes, TDHEs, THAs and Native CDFIs in underserved communities maximize the impact of Section 4 funding.

Meet Our Team