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DLAP Resources

DLAP Sub Grant Details

Local Enforcement & Community Reporting

Because DLAP is a locally led initiative, all property-level communications and legal actions remain at the local level.

• For Property Owners: Local grantees (municipalities/counties) are responsible for handling all communications, voluntary right of entry agreements, code enforcement actions, and condemnations. Depending on the local funding arrangement, some actions may result in a lien or an encumbrance placed upon the property.

• For Community Members: If you would like to report a dilapidated property in your neighborhood for DLAP consideration, please contact your local municipal or county office directly. Local governments maintain their own target inventories and determine which properties are submitted to WVDEP for funding.

• For complaints related to improper solid waste disposal, contact WVDEP's DWWM Environmental Enforcement.

• For complaints related to asbestos or other air quality concerns, contact WVDEP Division of Air Quality.

Who Can Apply?

• West Virginia municipalities and county commissions.

• Individual property owners cannot apply directly, but are encouraged to contact their local officials to report problem properties in their neighborhoods or to seek partnership opportunities.

• As a first step in the funding process, local governments utilize the DLAP Survey. This assessment helps communities evaluate the overall readiness and capacity of their local blight removal program by reviewing existing ordinances, code enforcement resources, and property inventories. To take the survey, update your existing survey, or learn more about the application process, please contact DEP.DLAP@wv.gov.

• Collaborative Partnerships: While municipalities and county commissions serve as the primary grantees, state code actively encourages partnering with Urban Renewal Authorities, Land Reuse Agencies, and Municipal Land Banks to maximize economic development and long-term redevelopment. Additionally, to align with our State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Programmatic Agreement, we strongly encourage applicants to consult with local historical organizations to evaluate community impact and ensure historical integrity is considered during the planning process. When a historic structure cannot be saved, communities are encouraged to work with their local historical society, contractor, or third-party specialist to salvage architectural elements whenever safe and feasible. 

What Makes a Property Eligable?

DLAP funding is designed to reclaim properties that are abandoned and dilapidated, or pose direct health and safety risks to the community. In addition to creating severe hazards for first responders, these structures depress neighboring property values and stifle local economic development. Tackling blight is a big job, and often requires a team effort. 

• Primary Focus: The program is typically utilized by local authorities to target smaller residential structures. The local authority is ultimately responsible for prioritizing their projects, obtaining right of entry, putting it out to bid, etc.

  • Note: Targeted property locations are considered confidential until the demolition is complete, or is under review by the State Historic Preservation Office.

• Other Structures: Commercial buildings, former schools, and other property types are eligible and considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will need to submit a justification letter explaining how the property is currently impacting the community, partners involved, and solid plans for the future use of the property.

• To learn more about required documentation, please see: The DLAP Ready to DEMO Checklist. 

• For large-scale industrial sites, gas stations, or commercial facilities, applicants should first explore the WVDEP Brownfields Assistance Program.

Eligible Grant Expenditures

DLAP grants operate on a reimbursement basis. To receive funding, the grantee must submit a formal invoice packet once a month that includes contractor invoices, proof of proper landfill disposal, and clear "before and after" photos of the site. DLAP then issues the funds directly to the grantee, who is then responsible for paying their contractor. While grantees are welcome to pay their contractors upfront, we understand that can be a major financial barrier for some communities. No costs incurred prior to the official grant award date are eligible for reimbursement. Additionally, grantees must receive a formal Authorization to Proceed (ATP) from DLAP, and make sure their contractor submits their 10 Day Public Notice before beginning work on any individual project.

Funds can be used for costs directly associated with the asbestos testing, abatement, demolition, and remediation of approved properties, including:

• Pre-Demolition: Title searches, code enforcement, asbestos testing and abatement, and Class II legal advertisements.

• Actual Demolition: Tearing down the structure and properly disposing of debris at an approved landfill.

• Post-Demolition: Grantees must ensure the site is left in a clean, stable, and graded condition (grading, seeding, and mulching). To learn more about Best Management Pratices, please see: WVDEP Erosion & Sediment Control BMP Manual

Bidding & Documentation Requirements

Grantees are responsible for ensuring their contractors adhere to all contract terms and conditions. All demolition work and expenditures must strictly follow state competitive bidding procedures as outlined in West Virginia Code §5-22-1 and the WV Purchasing Division’s Vendor Resource Center.

To receive reimbursement for pre-demolition, active demolition, or post-demolition phases, grantees must submit detailed invoices and required documentation for all incurred costs.