New Infrastructure, Housing, Environmental, and Community Investment Funding Opportunities

As municipalities continue advancing FY2027 priorities, several newly released state and federal funding opportunities have become available over the past week. These programs support projects ranging from park improvements and urban forestry to housing, environmental resilience, and public infrastructure.

This week’s Grant Watch Wednesday focuses exclusively on new opportunities that have not been highlighted in previous editions. Communities with projects already identified in their Capital Improvement Plans, Open Space and Recreation Plans, Housing Production Plans, or municipal master plans should consider these opportunities while application windows remain open.

Federal Opportunities

HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released the FY2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

While applications are submitted through regional Continuums of Care, municipalities play an important role by partnering with housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, and regional service providers to develop competitive projects that address homelessness and supportive housing needs.

Eligible activities may include:

• Permanent supportive housing
• Rapid rehousing
• Transitional housing
• Coordinated entry systems
• Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS)
• Planning activities
• Supportive services

Eligible Applicants:

Continuums of Care, local governments, housing authorities, and eligible nonprofit partners.

Application Deadline:

August 26, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern

For More Information:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition

State & Local Funding Opportunities

Massachusetts Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has announced that applications remain open for the FY2027 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program.

The PARC Program helps municipalities acquire parkland and improve existing municipal parks and recreational facilities, creating safer, more accessible, and more inclusive public spaces.

Eligible projects may include:

• Playground construction and renovation
• Athletic field improvements
• Splash pads
• Walking paths and trails
• Park accessibility improvements
• Basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts
• Parkland acquisition
• Waterfront park improvements

Funding:

Maximum Award:
$425,000

Reimbursement Rate:

Approximately 52% to 70% of eligible project costs, depending on community eligibility.

Eligible Applicants:

Massachusetts municipalities that meet program eligibility requirements and maintain an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Application Deadline:

July 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM

For More Information:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/parkland-acquisitions-and-renovations-for-communities-parc-grant-program

Connecticut Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has opened a new Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program to help municipalities improve public safety while restoring and expanding urban tree canopy.

The program is intended to remove hazardous trees and replace them with resilient native species that improve long-term environmental health and climate resilience.

Eligible projects may include:

• Hazardous tree removal
• Stump removal
• Replacement tree planting
• Urban canopy restoration
• Streetscape tree improvements
• Public park tree replacement
• Climate resilience initiatives

Maximum Award:

$30,000

Eligible Applicants:

Municipalities and other eligible public entities responsible for publicly owned land.

A minimum replacement ratio of two new trees for every tree removed is required.

Application Deadline:

August 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM

For More Information:

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Urban-Forestry/Grants/Urban-Forest-Resilience-Grant-Program

Connecticut Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has also launched a new Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program aimed at helping municipalities improve the health and resilience of municipally owned forests and woodlands.

Funding supports proactive forest management that addresses invasive species, pests, climate stressors, and long-term ecosystem health.

Eligible activities may include:

• Forest management planning
• Invasive species control
• Climate resilience projects
• Forest restoration
• Habitat improvements
• Municipal woodland management

Eligible Applicants:

Municipalities and other eligible public landowners.

Application Deadline:

August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM

For More Information:

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Urban-Forestry/Grants/Resilient-Forestry-Practices-Grant

New Hampshire Watershed Assistance Grants

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services continues accepting applications for Watershed Assistance Grants that help municipalities restore and protect water quality through planning and implementation projects.

Funding supports local efforts to address impaired waters, reduce stormwater impacts, and improve watershed health.

Eligible projects may include:

• Watershed restoration planning
• Stormwater management
• Green infrastructure
• Water quality improvement projects
• Stream restoration
• Municipal watershed implementation projects

Eligible Applicants:

Municipalities, regional planning organizations, and qualified partners.

Communities are encouraged to consult with DES staff before submitting proposals.

Pre-proposal consultation deadline:

September 4, 2026

For More Information:

https://www.des.nh.gov/business-and-community/loans-and-grants/watershed-assistance

Looking Ahead

As summer progresses, many states are releasing FY2027 funding opportunities with relatively short application windows. Municipalities that already have engineering completed, planning documents in place, or projects identified within their Capital Improvement Programs are often in the strongest position to compete successfully.

Capital Strategic Solutions will continue monitoring newly released federal Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and state grant announcements to highlight opportunities that municipalities can act on immediately while avoiding programs previously featured in Grant Watch Wednesday.

Let Capital Strategic Solutions assist with your grant writing, research, and compliance needs.