The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides flexible funding to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities/services. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. All CDBG-funded activities must meet one of the following national objectives: (1) Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; (2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or (3) Meet certain community development needs having a particular urgency.
In North Dakota, CDBG funds may be utilized to address construction or renovation of various infrastructure projects such as water, wastewater and solid waste facilities, streets, and flood control projects; construction or improvements of a range of community facilities such as senior, health and social services centers; expansion of public services to serve low-income persons; creation of new jobs through small business loans or infrastructure improvements; and various affordable housing projects including home reconstruction, rehabilitation or repair programs.
Funding is divided into the following program categories:
- Housing - Helps local communities fund new construction or rehabilitation/conversion of single-family or multi-family housing. The primary beneficiaries of these projects must be very low and low income persons (i.e. persons earning less than 80% of the area median income).
- Public Facilities - Helps local communities fund construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure and facilities that benefit low to moderate income persons (i.e. persons earning less than 80% of the area median income). Projects include water and sewer, removal of architectural barriers, fire halls, ambulances, etc.
- Economic Development - Helps local communities fund economic development projects that create or retain permanent jobs for low to moderate income persons (i.e. persons earning less than 80% of the area median income).
- Public Services - CDBG Public Services funds, in the form of operational costs, will be made available to existing and new agencies that support substance abuse recovery. These facilities serve individuals who have a history of substance abuse and addiction, with an emphasis on the homeless, those at risk of becoming homeless, and those referred by the judicial system.
- Mainstreet - focus on long-term community development within cities downtown areas. This funding would promote livable communities, address unmet community development needs and promote activities that enhance local economic development efforts. Assistance is available to non-entitlement cities and incorporated cities
In FY 2019, $3,079,083 was available for distribution through all program areas.