Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program

Commerce has many programs that fund the construction of capital projects and capital projects require planning and predesign activities prior to any award being made. Planning and predesign activities are often a barrier for smaller community-based organizations and tribes. The Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP) provided grants and technical assistance to smaller organizations and tribes who serve underserved communities. This funding is currently closed.

Three program parts

1. PPCEP Community Partners – Community Partners served as consultants to Commerce’s PPCEP overall, helped draft the Request for Proposal for the Technical Assistance Consultants and Request for Applications for the Community Based Organizations. Community Partners also facilitated conversations with People with Lived Experiences in underserved communities to identify facilities needed.
2. Planning and Predesign Technical Assistance Consultants (TAC) – TACs provided a wide array of technical assistance directly to Community Based Organizations in the planning and predesign phases of capital projects. Consultants were encouraged to exhibit cultural humility when working with Community Based Organizations that serve underserved communities. $1 million of PPCEP was made available through the Affordable Housing Preconstruction Technical Assistance Services RFP.
3. Planning and Predesign Grants for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) – Commerce distributed roughly $3.3 million in awards to 18 different CBOs to help them complete technical planning and predesign – positioning them for future competitive funding opportunities.

Resources