Community Infrastructure Prescreen Guide

For the Renew NC Community Infrastructure Program

A how-to guide for accessing and completing a prescreen for the Renew NC Community Infrastructure Program.

Please note: the prescreen is not a program application. The prescreen provides an opportunity for potential applicants, such as local governments or nonprofit organizations, to prepare for the upcoming program application launch of the Community Infrastructure (CI) Program. While not required, prescreening is strongly encouraged.

Prescreening Process Guide

  • 1

    Access the Renew NC Grant Portal

    Sign in to your Renew NC Grant Portal account. 

    New users must register for an account.

    Sign In to the Portal

  • 2

    Start a Prescreen

    Upon logging in, the participant dashboard will become visible, including a list of the program(s) available for new prescreens. 

    1. Select “Start Application” next to the program that you would like to complete a prescreen for.  
    2. In the pop-up window that appears, enter in the case name using the format suggested ‘Organization Name – Project Name’.
    3. Select “Start Application” to begin the prescreening process.
    4. Select “Click here to continue” to move on to complete the prescreen for your potential project.

    Please note:

    • Prescreening participants must create a new prescreen for each separate project they wish to submit.  
    • Multiple projects may not be combined or submitted under a single prescreen.  
    • If you are applying for funding for more than one project, repeat the prescreen process and complete a separate prescreening for each project. 
  • 3

    Prescreen Overview

    The Prescreen Overview page provides background information about the selected program's prescreen and allows potential applicants to indicate whether they wish to participate.

    The prescreen process is optional and is intended to help begin project planning and receive early technical assistance before submitting a formal application. 

    Select a Prescreen Participation Decision:

    1. Under “Please select your prescreen participation decision,” choose one of the following options from the dropdown menu:
      • I am electing to participate in the prescreen process. Select this option to proceed with the prescreen questions and provide preliminary project information.
      • I am electing NOT to participate in the prescreen process. Select this option if you do not wish to complete the prescreen at this time.
    2. Save and Continue
      • Select "Save" to store your selection, or
      • Select "Start Prescreen" to continue to the next section of the prescreen process. 
  • 4

    Organizational Profile

    The PS. Organizational Profile section collects basic information about the applicant organization and primary contact. All required fields must be completed before continuing. 

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen:

    Organizational Information

    • A.1 Local Government Entity Name – Enter the official name of the local government entity.
    • A.2 Government Entity Address – Enter the mailing address for the entity.
    • A.3 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) – Enter the organization’s 12-character UEI.
    • A.4 FEIN Number – Enter the organization’s Federal Employer Identification Number. 

    Primary Contact

    • A.5 Primary Contact Name – Enter the primary point of contact.
    • A.6 Primary Contact Title – Enter the contact’s title.
    • A.7 Primary Contact Phone Number – Enter a valid phone number.
    • A.8 Primary Contact Email – Enter a valid email address.
    • A.9 Authorized Officer and Primary Signatory – Enter the name and title of the individual authorized to sign on behalf of the organization.
    • Signature Authority Document/Form – Upload the required authorization document (required). 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Organizational Profile in the left-hand navigation menu. 

    Note: Applicants may use the left-hand menu to navigate back and forth between sections at any time. Completed sections remain editable unless the prescreen has been submitted. 

  • 5

    Organization Capacity

    The PS. Organization Capacity section captures information about your organization’s experience, staffing capacity, and compliance readiness to manage and deliver federally funded projects.  

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen.

    Organization Capacity

    • B.1 Organization Experience – Describe your organization’s experience managing federal or state grant programs (e.g., CDBG, CDBG-DR, ARPA, HOME, HTF, LIHTC). Include any open or unresolved findings, if applicable.
    • B.2 Key Project Management Staff – List key staff who will manage or support the project.
      • Select "Add Project Staff" and enter:
        • Staff Name
        • Title
        • Qualifications
        • Annual percentage of time dedicated to similar projects
      • Add additional staff as needed.
      • Experience Documentation – Indicate whether the experience described can be documented through resumes or other credentials.
        • If Yes, upload supporting documentation (e.g., resumes, certifications).
    • B.3 Cross-Cutting Compliance and Regulatory Requirements – Select all policies, procedures, or strategies that are currently in place or will be implemented to meet HUD cross-cutting requirements, including:
      • Environmental Review (24 CFR Part 58)
      • Procurement (2 CFR 200.317–327)
      • Labor Standards (Davis-Bacon and Related Acts)
      • Section 3 (24 CFR Part 75)
      • Civil Rights and Fair Housing
      • Floodplain Management and Resilience (24 CFR Part 55)
      • Financial Management (2 CFR 200.302)
      • Other applicable policies or regulatory processes 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Organization Capacity in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 6

    Project Summary

    The PS. Project Summary section captures detailed information about the proposed project, including eligibility thresholds, tie-back to Hurricane Helene, national objective compliance, project scope, costs, and readiness. 

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen.

    Important Note: Certain fields in this section appear only after specific responses are selected. Please ensure all conditionally displayed questions and required uploads are completed before continuing. 

    Project Title

    • C.1 Project Title – Enter a descriptive title for the proposed project. 

    Threshold Requirements

    • C.2 Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) Area – Select the HUD-identified or State-identified MID Area where the project will be located.
      • Service Area Map – Upload a map showing the project service area (required).
    • C.3 Tie-Back to Hurricane Helene or Mitigation – Indicate whether the project:
      • Directly responds to damage caused by Hurricane Helene, or
      • Mitigates future disaster impacts.
      • If applicable, briefly describe the connection between Hurricane Helene impacts and the proposed project.
      • Request for Tie-Back TA – Select if requesting technical assistance.

    National Objective (LMI)

    • C.4 How the Project Will Meet the LMI National Objective – Identify how the project meets the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) National Objective.
      • Check all applicable documentation or support, including:
        • Service area boundaries
        • Census or other HUD-acceptable LMI data
        • Evidence the area is primarily residential
        • Survey documentation (if applicable)
    • LMI National Objective Documentation – Upload supporting documentation, if available.
      • Note: LMI documentation is optional during prescreen but required at full application. 

    Project Description

    • C.5 Project Description – Provide a brief description of the proposed project, including the mission, needs or problems to be addressed, and program goals and objectives.
      • If applicable, describe how the project responds to Hurricane Helene.
    • C.6 Anticipated Outcomes and Long-Term Benefits – Describe the expected outcomes and long-term benefits of the project.
    • C.7 Mitigation / Resiliency Plan – Describe how the project design will address mitigation or resiliency to minimize damage from future flooding or extreme weather events.

    Funding Information

    • C.8 Estimated Total Project Cost – Enter a rounded estimate of the total project cost.
    • C.9 Estimated Gap CDBG-DR Project Funds Could Fill – Enter the estimated funding gap CDBG-DR funds would address.
    • C.10 FEMA-PA / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Funding – Indicate whether the project is eligible for or has applied for FEMA-PA or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding.
      • Explain why CDBG-DR funding is being requested.

    Project Scope, Timeline, and Readiness

    • C.11 Project Scope and Phasing – Provide an abstract of the estimated cost and completion timeline (if known) for each phase:
      • Engineering and Design
      • Pre-Construction
      • Construction
      • Closeout
    • C.12 Design Plans – Indicate whether design plans are available.
    • C.13 Land Acquisition or Easements – Indicate whether land acquisition or easement rights are involved.
    • C.14 Site Control – Indicate whether site control has been obtained.
    • C.15 Zoning – Indicate whether the property is zoned for the intended use.
    • C.16 Public Hearing – Indicate whether a public hearing has been conducted.
    • C.17 Project Status – Select any components of the project that have already begun (check all that apply):
      • Procurement of A/E
      • Environmental Review
      • Preliminary Engineering Report
      • Design
      • Construction
      • Other
    • Supporting Documentation – Upload any related documentation to support Environmental Review (ER) Technical Assistance (TA) discussions, if available. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Project Summary in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 7

    Federal Assistance

    The PS. Federal Assistance section collects information about disaster-related financial assistance associated with the proposed project. 

    For each assistance source listed below, select Yes or No as prompted.

    FEMA

    • D.1 Disaster Assistance from FEMA – Indicate whether you received disaster-related assistance from FEMA for Hurricane Helene.
      • If Yes, complete the additional FEMA fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • FEMA Registration Number(s)
        • Upload the FEMA Award/Denial Letter (required)
      • If No, no additional FEMA information is required.

    Small Business Administration (SBA)

    • D.2 Disaster Assistance from SBA – Indicate whether you received disaster-related assistance from the SBA.
      • If Yes, complete the additional SBA fields displayed on the screen, including:\
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • SBA Application Number
        • SBA Loan Number(s)
        • SBA Loan status
        • Upload the SBA Award/Denial Letter (required)
      • If No, no additional SBA information is required.

    National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

    • D.3 Flood Insurance Coverage – Indicate whether you had National Flood Insurance at the time of the disaster.
      • If Yes, complete the additional NFIP fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Insurance company name
        • Upload the Flood Policy (required)
        • Indicate whether a claim was filed
      • If No, no additional NFIP information is required. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Federal Assistance in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 8

    Other Assistance

    The PS. Other Assistance section collects information about additional insurance or financial assistance related to the proposed project. 

    For each assistance category below, select Yes or No as prompted.

    Property Insurance

    • E.1 Property Insurance Coverage – Indicate whether you had property insurance at the time of the disaster.
      • If Yes, complete the additional property insurance fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Insurance company name
        • Upload Homeowner’s Insurance documentation
        • Indicate whether a claim was filed
      • If No, no additional property insurance information is required.

    State of North Carolina Assistance

    • E.2 State Disaster Assistance – Indicate whether you received disaster assistance from the State of North Carolina.
      • If Yes, complete the additional state assistance fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Source of assistance
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • State program name
        • Upload the State of North Carolina award/denial letter (required)
      • If No, no additional state assistance information is required.

    Other Financial Assistance

    • E.3 Other Financial Assistance – Indicate whether you received any other financial assistance for work performed on the proposed project.
      • If Yes, complete the additional fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Type of assistance
        • Organization providing assistance
        • Amount received to date
        • Upload Other Assistance Supporting Documents
      • If No, no additional information is required. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Other Assistance in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 9

    Prescreen Submit

    The Prescreen Submit section is the final step to review, certify, and submit the completed prescreen. 

    Review Completion Status

    Before submitting, confirm that all prescreen sections display a green check mark in the left-hand navigation menu.

    • A green check mark indicates the section is complete.
    • A gray or missing check mark indicates required information or documents are still missing in that section.

    If the Prescreen Submit button is inactive or unavailable, review each section to locate and complete any missing fields or uploads.

    Participants may select any section in the left-hand menu to review or update information prior to submission. 

    Certification and Electronic Signature

    To proceed with submission: 

    1. Select the checkbox to certify that the information provided in the prescreen is true and complete to the best of the signer’s knowledge.
    2. Under Authorized Signature, select "Click here to electronically sign."
    3. Enter the signer's full name as prompted.
    4. Select "Sign" to apply the electronic signature.

    Once the signature is successfully completed, the signer's name is displayed under Authorized Signature. 

    A confirmation message appears indicating the email address of the signer and the date and time the prescreen was electronically signed. 

    Submit the Prescreen

    1. Select "Prescreen Submit."
    2. A confirmation window will appear with a message explaining that once the prescreen is submitted, no additional edits can be made unless the application is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    3. Participants must choose one of the following options:
      • Cancel – Returns you to the Prescreen Submit page without submitting. The application remains editable.
      • Proceed – Confirms submission and formally submits the completed prescreen. 

    After selecting "Proceed" on the submission confirmation window, the system displays the Application Submitted screen. 

  • 10

    After Prescreen Submission

    After you submit your prescreen, you can:

    • Review your submitted application by selecting any section in the left-hand navigation menu.
    • Use Print Application to download or print a copy for your records.
      • Select "Print Application" from the left-hand panel.
      • This will generate a printable version of your submitted application, downloaded to your browser. 

    Please note:

    • Submitted applications are read-only and cannot be edited.
    • Changes can only be made if the application is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    • No additional action is required from the applicant unless contacted by the program. 
  • 11

    Adding Users to Your Account

    Participants may add additional users to an application to allow others to view and make changes while the prescreen is in progress.

    View Current Users

    1. In the left-hand panel, select "View Users."
    2. The Users screen displays the email addresses of all users who currently have access to the prescreen.
    3. All listed users are able to view prescreen information and make changes.

    Add a User

    1. In the left-hand panel, select "View Users."
    2. On the Users screen, select "Add a User."
    3. Enter the email address of the user you want to add.
    4. Select "Save."
    5. Once added, the user will have access to the application and can view and update information. 

    Please note:

    • Users added to the prescreen can view and make changes to prescreen data.
    • Users may be added before the prescreen is submitted.
    • After submission, the application becomes read-only unless it is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    • The "View Users" option is available from the left-hand panel at any time.