2026-2027 ESG Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) is pleased to announce the availability of Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program funds for Program Year 2026-2027. The ESG Program is a federal block grant authorized by subtitle B of the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In Arkansas, ESG is administered by ADFA. 

Proposals are invited from non-profit organizations and local governments that provide eligible ESG activities to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, within an Arkansas Continuum of Care. Eligible activities and requirements are described in 24 CFR Part 576 and the ADFA ESG Policy and Procedures Manual. Applicants should review both documents before starting an application. 

FONSI ~ Riparian Flats

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

September 3, 2026

Arkansas Development Finance Authority

1 Commerce Way, Suite 602

Little Rock, AR 72202

501-682-5900

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (“ADFA”).

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about September 21, 2026, ADFA will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for the release of HOME funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, and National Housing Trust Fund (“NHTF”) funds under Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, as amended, to undertake a project known as Riparian Flats for the purpose of demolishing eighteen (18) public housing units and constructing fifty-six (56) units on land located north of Success Avenue (approximately 700 Success Avenue), Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas 72765. These will be stacked flats in four (4) 2-story buildings. Of the fifty-six (56) units, eleven (11) will be HOME units [three (3) 1-bedroom Low-HOME units, five (5) 2-bedroom Low-HOME units, and three (3) 3-bedroom Low-HOME units] and five (5) will be NHTF units [two (2) 1-bedroom NHTF units, two (2) 2-bedroom NHTF units, and one (1) 3-bedroom NHTF unit]. The funding amount is Two Million One Hundred Ninety-Four Thousand Five Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($2,194,500.00) in HOME Funds, HUD Grant/Program Number #M-23-SG-05-0100 and Nine Hundred Seventy-Nine Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($979,000.00) in NHTF funds, HUD Grant/Program Number #F-26-SG-05-0100. The estimated total project cost is Twelve Million Three Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Forty-Seven and 00/100 Dollars ($12,364,347.00).

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

ADFA has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Arkansas Development Finance Authority, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 602, Little Rock, AR and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to ADFA. All comments received by September 18, 2026, will be considered by ADFA prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. This notice document will be on the ADFA website at adfa.arkansas.gov from the date of this notice until the Authority To Use Grant Funds is issued by HUD. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

ADFA certifies to HUD that Robert Arrington in his capacity as President of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Riparian Flats, LP to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and ADFA’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of ADFA; (b) ADFA has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to David Blick at HUD at 600 West Capitol Avenue, Suite #A400, Little Rock, AR 72201 or CPD_GeneralCorr-LIT@HUD.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Robert Arrington, President of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority

FONSI – Iron Wheel Mountain Home

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

August 18, 2026
Arkansas Development Finance Authority
1 Commerce Way, Suite 602
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-682-5900

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (“ADFA”).

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about September 3, 2026, ADFA will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for the release of HOME funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, and National Housing Trust Fund (“NHTF”) funds under Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, as amended, to undertake a project known as Iron Wheel Mountain Home for the purpose of constructing sixty (60) units on vacant land located north of approximately 38 Wall Street, Mountain Home, Baxter County, AR 72653. There will be eight (8) 2-story garden style buildings constructed. Of the sixty (60) units, eleven (11) will be HOME units [Three (3) 1-bedroom High-HOME units, two (2) 2-bedroom High-HOME units, three (3) 3-bedroom High-HOME units, one (1) 1-bedroom Low-HOME unit, and two (2) 2-bedroom Low-HOME units] and three (3) will be NHTF units [one (1) 1-bedroom NHTF unit, one (1) 2-bedroom NHTF unit, and one (1) 3-bedroom NHTF unit]. The funding amount is Two Million Ten Thousand One Hundred Six and 00/100 Dollars ($2,010,106.00) in HOME Funds, HUD Grant/Program Number #M-23-SG-05-0100 and Five Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Two and 00/100 Dollars ($563,632.00) in NHTF funds, HUD Grant/Program Number #F-26-SG-05-0100. The estimated total project cost is Eleven Million Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Forty and 00/100 Dollars ($11,999,940.00).

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

ADFA has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Arkansas Development Finance Authority, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 602, Little Rock, AR and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to ADFA. All comments received by September 2, 2026, will be considered by ADFA prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. This notice document will be on the ADFA website at adfa.arkansas.gov from the date of this notice until the Authority To Use Grant Funds is issued by HUD. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

ADFA certifies to HUD that Robert Arrington in his capacity as President of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Iron Wheel Mountain Home LP to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and ADFA’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of ADFA; (b) ADFA has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to David Blick at HUD at 600 West Capitol Avenue, Suite #A400, Little Rock, AR 72201 or CPD_GeneralCorr-LIT@HUD.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Robert Arrington, President of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – THE ARKANSAS CDBG-DR 2025 MULTI-FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURE  

The State of Arkansas received $59,048,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for two Presidentially Declared Disasters in Arkansas known as (DR-4698), which consisted of severe storms and tornadoes in 2023; and (DR-4788) for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding in 2024. These funds will be administered by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA). 

A public comment period for ADFA’s Multi-Family New Construction Program Policies and Procedures will extend for 15 days beginning 8:00 am Thursday, July 23, 2026, and will end 4:30 pm Thursday, August 6, 2026. During the 15-day public comment period, written comments should be directed to this email address: ADFA.CDBGDR@arkansas.gov or via postal mail to Lori Brockway, ADFA Federal Housing Programs, 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202 or via fax to (501) 682-5939. All comments will be considered in the final draft of the Policies and Procedures submitted to HUD. 

The Policies and Procedures may be provided in alternative formats (i.e., Braille, large print, audio tape) for the disabled, or in Spanish, upon written request via email to: Lori.Brockway@Arkansas.gov. 

Public Comment – Updated HOME & NHTF Rental Guidelines

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) has released updated versions of the HOME and National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) Rental Program Guidelines and the accompanying HOME & NHTF Guidebook Changes. These updates include revisions to funding limits, application requirements, environmental review processes, and other program standards as reflected in the newly published documents.

ADFA is now accepting public comments on these updated materials from May 20 through June 10. All comments should be directed to lori.brockway@arkansas.gov.

We encourage stakeholders, partners, and members of the public to review the updated documents and provide feedback during the comment period.