HUD is using a new system of national competitions to award its 1998 program grants that standardize application and selection procedures. Instead of releasing up to 40 different Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) each year, HUD will now release three SuperNOFAs -- announcements of broad categories of grants open to competition.

The first SuperNOFA announces funding availability of $1.2 billion for housing and community development programs, including the HOPE VI program for public housing revitalization, drug elimination grants for public and assisted housing, fair housing initiatives, and community development technical assistance programs. The next two SuperNOFAs announce additional competitions for economic development programs, and targeted housing and homeless assistance programs.

Applicants may call the Super-NOFA Information Center for application information, copies of program regulations, and other information. The center may be reached from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, by calling toll-free (800) 483-8929 or (800) 927-7589 TDD. Application information is available on the Internet at http://www.hud.gov.