Leveraging funds from public and private sources is critical to successful development in the Renewal Communities and Empowerment Zones. HUD urges all RCs and EZs to leverage funds that they receive with other resources to help maximize their development efforts. There are links on this page to sources of funds available to communities such as RCs and EZs that endeavor to revitalize their neighborhoods and spur economic development. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis. In many instances, bonus points are awarded to applications that include activities proposed to take place within RC and EZ boundaries.