CDBG Overview
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is the primary source of funding used to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The CDBG program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended 42 U.S.C. -530.1 et seq.
CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:
- Acquisition of real property
- Relocation and demolition
- Rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures
- Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes
- Public services, within limits
- Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources
- Provision of assistance to nonprofit and profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities
Each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program:
- Benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
- prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or
- Address community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.
A need is considered urgent if it poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and has arisen in the past 18 months.