Workforce Housing for Ownership Program Prescreen Guide

For the Renew NC Workforce Housing for Ownership Program

A how-to guide for accessing and completing a prescreen for the Renew NC Workforce Housing for Ownership Program (WHFO).

Please note: the prescreen is not a program application. The prescreen provides an opportunity for potential applicants to prepare for WHFO Program application submission. 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 ‘Legal Name of Applicant Entity’.
    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:

    • This application permits one project with a maximum of five project locations.
    • 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 Workforce Housing for Ownership (WHFO) Program Prescreen and allows applicants to indicate whether they wish to participate.

    To help interested stakeholders identify and develop a highly qualified project for funding, the Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) offers project prescreening and technical assistance. This step is optional. During prescreening, DCR works with the project planning team to capture preliminary information and assist with CDBG-DR-specific requirements and documentation in an environment that will not federalize the project (which occurs only after an application is submitted). The goal of the prescreen is to give potential project planners a platform to ask questions and begin organizing plans.

    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

    Applicant Information

    The PS Applicant Information section collects basic information about the applicant organization, primary contact, and any third-party designee. All required fields must be completed before continuing. 

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen:

    Eligible Applicants

    • Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
    • For-Profit Housing Developers
    • Non-Profit Housing Developers, including CHDOs and CBDOs
    • Local Governments
    • Public Housing Authorities
    • Joint Ventures among any eligible entities
    • Other

    Please provide complete and accurate information for every field. Incomplete prescreen forms will not be reviewed.

    Legal Entity

    • A.1 Legal Name of Applicant Entity – Enter the full legal name of the organization.
    • A.2 Type of Entity – Select the applicable entity type (community land trust, for-profit housing developer, non-profit housing developer including CHDO or CBDO, local government, public housing authority, joint venture, or other).
      • A.2a Type of Entity (Other) – If “Other” is selected for Type of Entity, enter a brief description of the entity type.
    • A.3 Mailing Address – Enter the organization’s mailing address.
    • A.4 Active SAM.gov Registration – Indicate whether your legal entity has an active SAM.gov registration. If Yes, upload the SAM.gov Registration Certificate or Screenshot (optional).
    • A.5 Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) – Enter the organization’s FEIN.
    • A.6 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) – Enter the organization’s UEI.
    • A.7 Authorized Officer and Primary Signatory – Enter the name and title of the individual authorized to sign on behalf of the organization, and upload the Signature Authority Document/Form.

    Primary Contact

    • A.8 Primary Contact Name – Enter the primary point of contact.
    • A.9 Primary Contact Title – Enter the contact’s title.
    • A.10 Primary Contact Phone Number – Enter a valid phone number.
    • A.11 Primary Contact Email – Enter a valid email address. 

    Third-Party Designee (TPD)

    • A.12 Third-Party Designee – Indicate whether there is a third-party designee (TPD) responsible for working on this application on your behalf.
      • A.12a TPD First Name – Enter the designee’s first name.
      • A.12b TPD Last Name – Enter the designee’s last name.
      • A.12c TPD Email Address – Enter the designee’s email address.
      • A.12d TPD Organization Legal Name – Enter the legal name of the designee’s organization.
      • Authorization – Select the checkbox to authorize the designee to act on your behalf, including making decisions.
    • A.13 Affordable Housing Experience – Enter how many years of experience the entity has developing or managing publicly funded affordable housing.
    • A.14 Similar Project and Grant Management Experience – Describe the entity’s experience with similar single-family housing projects, as well as state and federal grant management (e.g., CDBG, CDBG-DR, ARC, ARPA, HTF, LIHTC), within the last ten years, using the Housing Experience Worksheet provided. Upload the completed worksheet (required).
    • A.15 Project Partners – List all partners for this project, including joint ventures and construction partners. For each partner, provide the partner organization, partner title/role, responsibility/scope of work, staff name, and total years of CDBG-DR experience. (if applicable)
    • A.16 Grant Management – Indicate whether the lead applicant will receive significant grant management support from a partner (e.g., Council of Government, North Carolina League of Municipalities, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, UNC School of Government, or a third-party consultant). If Yes, complete the Grant Management Partner table with the company name, partner role, staff name, total years of CDBG-DR experience, and qualifications. (if applicable)

    Note: Add additional users from your organization (including all third-party designees) by selecting “View Users” at the top of the left-hand panel of this application. See “Adding Users to Your Account” for instructions.

    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 Applicant Information 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

    Project Information

    The PS Project Information section collects basic details about the proposed project, including location, scope, cost estimates, and disaster relevance.

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen.

    Project Information

    • B.1 Project Title – Enter a descriptive project title (optional).
    • B.2 Estimated Total Project Cost – Enter the estimated total project cost.
    • B.3 Estimated Funding Gap to be Filled by CDBG-DR Funds – Enter the estimated funding gap that CDBG-DR funds could fill.
    • B.4 Leverage Ratio (B2/B3) – The system calculates the leverage ratio automatically by dividing the Estimated Total Project Cost (B.2) by the Estimated Funding Gap (B.3).
    • B.5  Project With Five Or More Units – Indicate whether the project will total five (5) or more units under common ownership and management during the construction phase.
    • B.6 Project Location Address – Enter the full project location address, including street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
      • B.6a Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) County – Select the MID County in which the project will be located. Eligible projects under the WHFO Program must be located within the HUD-identified MID area only. A map of the HUD-identified MID area is available on the Renew NC Programs | DCR page.
    • B.7 Additional Project Address – Indicate whether there is an additional project address. If Yes, enter the additional Project Location Address (full street address, city, state, and ZIP code) and select its MID County. Additional addresses may be entered under B.7a, B.7b, and B.7c.
      • Note that this application permits one project with a maximum of five (5) project locations associated with the same applicant. For each additional address, enter the full address and select the MID County.
    • B.8 Site Conditions – Indicate whether any part of the proposed project is located in any of the following:
      • B.8a Airport Runway Approach Zone – Indicate Yes or No.
      • B.8b Sites with Known Toxins / Severe Contamination – Indicate Yes or No.
      • B.8c Non-Encroachment Area – Indicate Yes or No.
      • B.8d Conversion or Acquisition of Farmland – Indicate Yes or No. Applicants must comply with the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA).
      • B.8e Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) – Indicate whether any portion of the project is in a special flood hazard area (SFHA) as defined by FEMA’s flood maps.
      • B.8f Regulatory Floodway – Indicate whether any portion of the project site is in a regulatory floodway.  Upload the FIRMette Map showing the parcel relative to the floodplain (required).
    • B.9 Project Description – Describe the project activities, including any acquisition, demolition, construction, repair, debris removal, rehabilitation, and any other construction activities. Clearly describe the physical scope of work—what will be built, rehabilitated, or removed. Describe the activities themselves rather than budget line items and procurement details.
    • B.10 Map of Project Site – Upload a map of the project site showing the exact geographical parameters (required).
    • B.11 Project Site Readiness – Provide the following information about the project site.
      • B.11a Infrastructure Access – Indicate whether the site has access to required infrastructure, including direct access by an existing paved, publicly maintained road.
        • If No, provide an explanation that includes all necessary infrastructure improvements required to support the project, along with the expected timeline for completing those improvements.
      • B.11b Zoning Support – Indicate whether the project site’s zoning supports its end use of single-family housing.
        • If No, describe how the zoning needs to change (including variances, special permits, and other discretionary land use approvals), where you are in that process, and when you expect it to be completed/permit or variance obtained.
      • B.11c Permits – Describe the status of any required permits for the project. Indicate whether permits have been submitted, are in progress, or have been approved, and include dates or other supporting information where relevant.
      • B.11d Site Control Status – Indicate the current site control status. If applicable, enter when the lease expires and/or when the purchase option expires, and provide an explanation.
    • B.12 Occupants – Indicate whether there are any residential or commercial occupants on the site.
    • B.13 Acquisition – Indicate whether there will be an acquisition as part of the project.
    • B.14 Demolition – Indicate whether demolition of any structures is planned or required.
    • B.15 Link to Hurricane Helene – Describe how the proposed project demonstrates a direct link to housing needs triggered or aggravated by Hurricane Helene, including unit loss, household displacement, or unmet needs in impacted counties or communities.
    • B.16 National Objective / Project Impact – CDBG-DR housing projects must meet a HUD National Objective as required by the 2025 Revised Universal Notice. The primary national objective of the WHFO Program is Low- and Moderate-Income Housing (LMH). Indicate the projected outcomes and benefits:
      • Total Rental Units Created or Preserved
      • Total Affordable Units Created or Preserved
      • Total Units for the Elderly and/or Persons with Disabilities Populations (if applicable)
      • Supportive Services or Partnerships (resident services, workforce development, coordination with health/social services, etc.), if applicable

    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 Information in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 6

    Funding Sources

    The PS Funding Sources section collects information about all sources of financial assistance associated with the proposed project. CDBG-DR funds may only cover unmet needs that remain after accounting for other funding sources (e.g., FEMA, SBA, insurance, tax credits, and private or philanthropic sources).

    Funding Sources

    C.1 Sources of Assistance – Disclose all sources of financial assistance received, anticipated, denied, or declined for the same project or purpose. For each source, complete the table with the following information:

    • Funding Source – Enter the name of the funding source.
    • Type – Select or enter the type of assistance (e.g., grant, loan, insurance, tax credit).
    • Purpose / Scope Covered – Describe the purpose or scope of work the funding covers.
    • Amount ($) – Enter the amount of assistance.
    • Status – Indicate the current status of the funding (e.g., pending, received, denied, declined).

    Add a row for each source of assistance. The table will total the amounts entered.

    C.2 Additional Information – If “Other” was selected as a funding type, or  to provide any additional information regarding project funding, enter it here. Upload the Funding Award/Denial Letters as supporting documentation  (optional).

    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 Funding Sources in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 7

    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 DCR 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. 

  • 8

    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 DCR Program Administrator.
    • No additional action is required from the applicant unless contacted by the program. 
  • 9

    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. 

Contact

Division of Community Revitalization

Related Links