Standing Announcement for the Preferred Communities Program

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites the submission of applications for funding, on a competitive basis, for the Preferred Communities program to support the resettlement of newly arrived refugees in Preferred Communities where they have ample opportunities for early employment and sustained economic independence and, to address special populations who need intensive case management, culturally and linguistically appropriate linkages and coordination with other service providers to improve their access to services. This announcement replaces the Priority Area One - Preferred Communities program included in the Standing Announcement for Services for Recently Arrived Refugees published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2004. The Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement will observe February 24, 2010 (FY 2010) as the closing date for applications. An applicant may submit more than one application under this announcement. The modification to the published Program Announcement notes changes to the Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding from $2,800,000 to $3,000,000 for FY 2010; and a change to the Anticipated Number of Awards from 10 -12 to 13-17 awards for FY 2010. The Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards remains at $300,000 for FY 2010.