Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) Program
Community Based Development Division
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The 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. in 1975.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.
Entitlement communities, such as the City and County of Honolulu, develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income persons. A grantee may also carry out activities which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.
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 certain limits
- Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources
- Provision of assistance to 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.
Generally, the following types of activities are ineligible:
- Acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government
- Political activities
- Certain income payment
- Construction of new housing (with some exceptions)
The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 required grantees to increase the use of their funds for activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons over a three-year period to not less than 70 percent.
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