Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program: Non-LIHTC
Program Overview
The Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program: Non-LIHTC is an initiative designed to increase the availability of safe and sanitary affordable rental housing in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The program is intended to serve multi-family rental properties with five or more rental units, including the rehabilitation or development and construction of new rental housing stock that does not qualify for or receive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) under the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s (NCHFA) Qualified Allocation Plan.
Applications are open now through November 2, 2026. Prescreening is strongly encouraged, but not required, prior to submitting an application.
Program Details
Funding, Eligibility, and Qualifications
- Total Funding: Approximately $70 million in CDBG-DR funding is allocated for the MCR Program.
- Award Size: Grants generally range from $500,000 up to $15 million per project, depending on scope and need.
- Competitive Process: Awards will be made through a competitive application process administered by the Division of Community Revitalization.
There are 28 counties and one zip code that are eligible for this program. Projects located within HUD- and State-identified Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas are eligible for the program. Priority is initially given to projects located within HUD-identified MID areas.
HUD-Identified MID Counties
- Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (ZIP code 28214), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey
State-Identified MID Counties
- Alexander, Alleghany, Catawba, Clay, Gaston, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Surry, Swain, Wilkes, and Yadkin
Eligible applicants include:
- For-profit developers;
- Non-profit developers;
- Public housing authorities;
- Local governments;
- Joint ventures between these entities.
Eligible uses of funds for the MCR Program include, but are not limited to:
- New construction of multi-family rental units;
- Substantial rehabilitation of existing rental units.
Projects must:
- Include five (5) or more rental units under common ownership and management;
- Be located in an eligible area;
- Must be constructed to mitigate the impact of likely future disasters in accordance with State and local codes, ordinances, and requirements;
- Must meet the accessibility requirements of 24 CFR Part 8, which implements section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), and Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12131-12189) implemented at 28 CFR parts 35 and 36, as applicable. Covered multi-family dwellings, as defined at 24 CFR 100.201, must also meet the design and construction requirements at 24 CFR 100.205, which implements the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619);
- Newly constructed housing shall qualify as affordable housing under this part only if it meets the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 12709);
- Construction must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as applicable and as this term is defined in 24 CFR 5.100, unless a waiver is granted by DCR. A waiver may be considered if the cost of installing broadband would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the project or activity, create an undue financial burden, or if the structure or location makes installation infeasible;
- Address an unmet need related to Hurricane Helene (e.g., replacement of units damaged or destroyed by the storm; expansion of affordable rental housing supply to accommodate displaced households; or redevelopment in neighborhoods experiencing post-disaster affordable housing shortage);
- Demonstrate a clear relationship (“tie-back”) to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This can be demonstrated directly or indirectly through documented storm damage, increased housing demand from storm-related displacement, vulnerabilities revealed or worsened by the disaster, or a resilience or mitigation activity that reduces risk in future events. Tie-back must be supported by reliable sources such as damage assessments, FEMA information, insurance records, or other official data;
- Be covered by a minimum 20-year affordability and restrictive use period consistent with requirements established by the Action Plan.
- Prescreening: DCR offers an optional but highly recommended project prescreening.
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DCR will issue NOFOs with application materials and deadlines.
- Application Submission: Applicants complete and submit required documentation demonstrating eligibility, need, and project feasibility.
- Evaluation and Award: DCR evaluates applications against criteria.
- Post-Award Requirements: Selected applicants must comply with federal environmental review processes, reporting, construction standards, and grant compliance procedures.
Prescreening Available for Non-LIHTC Projects
Renew NC is offering a prescreening opportunity to help potential applicants prepare for the upcoming launch of the Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program for non-LIHTC projects. While prescreening is not required to submit a program application, it is strongly encouraged. Prescreening provides an initial review to help determine whether proposed Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) projects align with federal requirements, meet a national objective, and demonstrate financial feasibility.
Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair (MCR) Program: Non-LIHTC! Applications must be accessed and submitted through the Renew NC Grant Portal. Proposals will be competitively scored based on applicant capacity, community need, soundness of development approach, leveraged resources, and projected long-term outcomes. Projects will be ranked by total score, with awards made to the highest-ranking projects, subject to threshold compliance, readiness, and availability of funds. The application period is open from June 25, 026 at 2:00 PM through November 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to complete an online prescreening prior to submitting and application. While not required, prescreening helps assess project and organizational readiness before entering the competitive application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available?
- Approximately $70 Million is available through this funding opportunity for the entire program. Each project may receive a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $15 million.
What types of projects are eligible?
- Eligible projects include:
- New construction of multi-family housing
- Reconstruction of damaged multi-family housing
- Rehabilitation and/or repair of existing multi-family housing
- A list of eligible activities can be found in the MCR Policies and Procedures.
Will the MCR Program be using the same contactors that are currently on the NC Renew Single Family Repair Program or will you be bringing in additional contractors to complete these jobs?
- Applicants to the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program will be responsible for procuring and contractors needed to complete projects, as applicable.
Is my project ready enough to apply?
- Threshold criteria as well as what is needed for a competitive project can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and the policy manual, Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program Policies and Procedures. Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in the prescreening process for a technical assistance session.
Can I spend money now on this project?
- Applicants may spend their own funds on planning activities at their own risk. However, federal environmental requirements may limit whether certain costs are eligible for reimbursement. In general, applicants should not begin:
- Property acquisition
- Demolition
- Construction
- Rehabilitation
- Other activities that could limit environmental review options before receiving required approvals from DCR.
- Taking these actions before authorization may make a project ineligible for funding.
- Please see HUD resources on Choice Limiting Actions: HUD Choice Limiting Action (CLA) Violation Review Process Fact Sheet.
- If you are considering spending money on project activities, please contact DCR at DCR.Housing@commerce.nc.gov before proceeding.
Will the number of units restricted to HOME rents be proportional to the amount of CDBG funding provided to a project?
- Priority will be given to projects that fund the greatest percentage of LMI units. The full breakdown of how priority will be assigned will be in the NOFO.
- If less than 51 percent of funding goes to LMI, then the award must be proportional.
Will the CDBG loan be subordinate to senior debt?
- Lien position will be determined by loan amount: the larger loan will have the higher lien position. For equal loan amounts, DCR will have the higher lien position. DCR will also have higher lien position over all local governments. Lien position may be further waived with the approval, and at the discretion, of DCR.
Will preference be given to projects done in partnership with housing authorities or local government?
- Priority considerations are outlined in the NOFO.
Do you expect the loan/grant limits to be similar to those for LIHTC?
- Specific terms will be outlined in the NOFO and are anticipated to be similar to LIHTC.
How are applications evaluated?
- Applications are reviewed based on predetermined scoring criteria. Please see the NOFO for the scoring matrix and additional details.
I opted out the prescreen. When can I start my application?
- The prescreen is optional; choosing to opt out will allow prospective applicants to access the application. Once a prospective applicant has opted out of the prescreen, the MCR team will notify them via email when access to the application is granted, typically within one business day. If a prospective applicant has not received this email, they may follow up by emailing DCR.Housing@commerce.nc.gov.
- For this reason, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to begin their application well in advance of the November 2, 2026, deadline.
Why am I unable to complete and continue to the next page?
- If you are unable to click the “Complete & Continue” button or it does not display an error message, please check to make sure you have responded to all required fields in that page.
All of my responses from the prescreen did not populate in the application. What should I do?
- You will be able to access the prescreen as read-only when completing your application, and it can be referred to when answering questions in the application.
Can I save my application and continue later?
- Yes. You can save your progress at any time and return to complete the application before the submission deadline.
Can I edit my application after submission?
- Applications cannot be edited once submitted. If changes are needed, contact the grant administrator at DCR.Housing@commerce.nc.gov.
What should I do if I encounter technical issues?
- Use the “Technical Support” link in the system to submit a help request or contact the technical support team.
Is my data secure?
- Yes. The system uses encryption, role-based access, and compliance frameworks to ensure your information is protected. More information can be found in the Privacy and Data Use Notice.
How do I know if my application was submitted successfully?
- You will receive a confirmation email, and the system dashboard will show your application status as “Submitted.”
How will I be notified about the award decision?
- Award decisions are communicated through email and posted in your user dashboard.
How are funds disbursed?
- Funds may be disbursed in installments based on approved milestones or reporting requirements. Details are included in the award agreement.