Blueprint Communities® Program
A Community Revitalization Initiative of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh in partnership with the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION & UPCOMING DATES
- Online Application Opens: August 29th, 2026 (Online application will be available here)
- Application Due: October 23rd, 2026
- Letter of Interest Due: Submit at least two weeks prior to submitting application
- Informational Webinars: September & October 2026 (Dates TBD)
- Community Selection: December 2026
- Download Information Sheet
- For more information contact Roger Hesketh
Becoming A Blueprint Community
Blueprint Communities® is an initiative of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) that revitalizes communities and neighborhoods in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Created by FHLBank in 2005, the initiative prepares and supports Blueprint Communities teams as they develop and implement a revitalization plan.
Through training, technical assistance, coaching, and financial support, Blueprint Communities empowers stakeholders by fostering collaborative community planning, strengthening local capacity, and expanding access to the tools and resources needed to build sustainable, healthy communities. The initiative strengthens local capacity while connecting communities to public and private investment opportunities that help bring revitalization efforts to life.
The University of Delaware Biden School is proud to partner with FHLBank to support selected Delaware communities.
Eligibility Criteria
Population
Eligible communities should have a population of 30,000 or less (slightly larger may be considered)
A community may be an entire municipality or defined as a neighborhood or district within a larger municipality, or a region
A region may be a group of municipalities that comprise a school district, have a common regional asset (such as a trail or other natural assets), or are along a corridor
Community Planning
Must demonstrate a desire and need for a detailed, implementable strategic action plan.
Team Requirements
Each team member is required to be committed to attending each training session.
Team should represent community
- Teams must consist of 8 -10 team members, including:
- FHLBank member employee
- Local government official
- Representative of a community-based organization
- Economic development professional
- Housing developer or real estate specialist
For further support during the application process, submit a one-page letter of interest at least two weeks prior to submitting your application to Roger Hesketh at rogergh@udel.edu.
Provide an overview of why you believe Blueprint Communities would be a good fit for your community
Identify potential members of your team
"Blueprint Communities" is a registered service mark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the CCRS office, and/or schedule a meeting to speak with Roger Hesketh, Director of Community Revitalization.