Technical Assistance

While many Community Development Corporations (CDCs) have outstanding ideas about projects they would like to undertake, they frequently lack the business, professional or technical background needed to bring these ideas to fruition.

As a result, Houston LISC administers a program to assist CDCs in the development process.
 
How to access technical assistance at LISC:

1. Prior to receiving technical assistance, CDC's which are not already receiving services from LISC will be required to submit a self-assessment of the organization. The assessment is for the purposes of evaluating the organization’s capacity and level of housing and community development experience; it also provides insight to upcoming real estate development projects. The assessment will assist in determining the appropriate technical assistance.
   
   
2. Submit a technical assistance request form. The request form asks for a description of your proposed project and the type of technical assistance needed. The project description should be detailed with basic information and facts about your project. Such information should include type of proposed housing (single-family or multifamily), proposed location, property size, status of site control, number of proposed units, size and configuration of units, and other related information. The request form helps us to determine how we can best assist your organization, and it how the technical assistance fits into the overall project.
   
   
3. A CDC should then schedule a meeting with a LISC staff member to discuss the proposed project. Technical assistance and project evaluation begin with LISC staff. Evaluating a proposed project early with the assistance of LISC staff is an important first step in determining feasibility and appropriate technical assistance. LISC works with a large number of non-profit groups that need technical assistance, therefore it is helpful if an organization presents a proposal which is as complete and supportive as their capacity allows.  Some things to consider are: market, income, location, land availability and size and others. Please note that technical assistance does not necessarily mean the assignment of an outside consultant to work with you, and will largely depend on the needs and merits of the project.  Staff may continue to provide technical assistance, identify the need for more intense or specialized assistance from an outside consultant, or in many instances determine that both are indicated.  LISC staff will assist you in determing resources to access such assistance. 
   
   For those CDC's which are also Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) working in the city limits, one such resource might be technical assistance for HOME assisted projects.  The technical assistance funding is a set aside from the City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department that is intended to support pre-development and capacity building opportunities leading to the development of affordable housing. The funding source for this assistance is from the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s HOME program. Following is a brief description on how to access technical assistance and a summary of some eligible activities.
   
   
4. After meeting with LISC staff and evaluating the merits of a project, CDCs may be referred to approved LISC qualified consultant that cover a wide range of disciplines. Technical assistance may be offered in phases and not delivered all at once. LISC must have a contract with a consultant before any work begins.  LISC cannot pay for work that has already been completed or in process.

For additional information:

• Technical Assistance Description
  
• Technical Assistance Request Form
  
• Organizational Assessment Form
  
• CDC Organizational Capacity Descriptions
  
• Organizational Assessment Checklist