The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering the Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (FVIP) Grants to Enhance Safety in Public Housing Communities for State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. This funding program aims to reduce violent crime within public housing communities across Virginia through the development and implementation of effective intervention and prevention programs. These programs are intended to interrupt cycles of violence, enhance public safety, and create sustainable, long-term solutions for communities affected by firearm violence. The grant period will begin on July 1, 2025, and end on June 30, 2027, with the possibility of additional funding for up to two more years based on performance and availability of funds. The FVIP grant is intended to provide seed money for new programs, with the expectation that grantees will develop sustainability plans to continue programming beyond the grant period.

This funding opportunity is supported by the Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund. The solicitation is designed to assist local public housing agencies in enhancing safety and addressing violent crime through a wide range of eligible activities. Programs may include community-based initiatives that enhance quality of life, reentry and workforce development programs, after-school educational support and truancy prevention programs, public relations and media campaigns aimed at violence prevention, innovative non-surveillance safety technology, and safe passage programs to ensure students can safely travel to and from school. All applicants must clearly justify the strategies they propose and demonstrate that the selected approaches are evidence-based or supported by data showing their effectiveness in reducing violence.

Only local public housing agencies are eligible to apply for this funding. This includes any state, county, municipality, or other governmental entity or public body that is authorized to engage in or assist with public housing development or operations. All applicants must also be registered with the federal System for Award Management (SAM) and have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Additionally, applicants must not be debarred or excluded from doing business with the Commonwealth of Virginia or any federal agency. All programs funded through this opportunity must be implemented within 90 days of the grant start date and remain aligned with the program’s original goals and objectives.

The application process requires applicants to submit their proposals using the DCJS Online Grants Management System (OGMS) by the deadline of March 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. A live technical assistance webinar will be held on February 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a recording made available online afterward. Applications must include a comprehensive project narrative, an itemized budget and budget narrative, detailed goals and objectives, and all required attachments, such as personnel job descriptions, proof of SAM registration, and certifications. The applications will be evaluated through a competitive review process, with scores based on criteria such as the proposed project’s needs justification, program description, goals and objectives, budget, and sustainability plan. The Criminal Justice Services Board will make final funding decisions at its May 8, 2025, meeting.

A total of $1,800,000 is available under this funding opportunity, with a maximum award of $300,000 per applicant. DCJS anticipates funding approximately six projects. There is no match requirement for this grant. Funding will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis for actual expenditures reported quarterly through OGMS. Non-allowable expenses include construction, vehicle purchases, firearms or ammunition, surveillance equipment, lobbying, indirect costs, and entertainment expenses. All financial and programmatic reports must be submitted on time to maintain compliance and continued funding.

For additional guidance, applicants may contact Greg Hopkins at DCJS by email at gregory.hopkins@dcjs.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 692-0977. All completed applications and required attachments must be submitted online through OGMS. Late applications will not be accepted, and funding decisions are final. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full solicitation for complete details, requirements, and restrictions before submitting proposals.