What is CDBG?

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that provides federal dollars to our community.  Its purpose is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.  For over a decade, CDBG grants have funded valuable community services and helped improve living conditions in Grand Junction.

CDBG in Grand Junction

CDBG funds are an entitlement grant to the City of Grand Junction which became eligible for the funding in 1996.  Currently, Grand Junction receives approximately $350,000 annually to assist eligible projects and programs.  The funds have been used for a variety of purposes in the community with the following priorities as outlined in the City of Grand Junction's 2006 CDBG Five-Year Strategic Plan:

• Improve non-housing community infrastructure and public facilities
• Address needs of special-needs populations and other human services
• Expend CDBG funds for low to moderate income neighborhood improvements
• Support healthy recreational activities and other youth programs
• Increase the inventory of affordable housing units
• Prevent and reduce homelessness
• Create economic opportunities.

In Grand Junction, CDBG provides funding for everything from land acquisition for development of affordable housing, to improving daycare services for children of working parents, to shelters and transitional services for the homeless, to senior services, to construction of sidewalks and drainage improvements in neighborhoods.

National Objectives
In addition to addressing one of the community needs stated above, a project must meet at least one of the three broad national objectives for the CDBG program in order to be eligible for funding.

1. Principally benefit low an moderate income persons
   The project must provide a direct benefit to individuals who meet low and moderate income guidelines which are defined as being at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area.

2. Aid in the elimination of slums and blight
   In order to be eligible under this objective, projects must be in target areas that are documented as blighted and must address a specific blighted building or buildings, and must address all blighting conditions.

3. Meet an urgent or unanticipated need
   Potential projects considered under this objective must first receive special approval from HUD.  These projects are typically designed to alleviate a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of a community resulting from a catastrophic event such as a natural disaster.

Other Project Requirements
CDBG funded projects are also subject to evaluation for and must comply with other federal regulations including environmental review, labor standards, and relocation.

Applying for a CDBG Grant / Annual Process
Each year, the City of Grand Junction allocates CDBG funding through a competitive application process.  The funding cycle kicks off in early March with a public meeting regarding the application process.  Applications are available at that time and are typically due back to the City in mid-April. 

Once applications are received, City staff reviews them for eligibility requirements and thoroughness.  The applications are then summarized and presented to a sub-committee of City Council members that makes a recommendation to full City Council on which items are to be funded.  City Council makes a final decision on funding by mid-June.  The projects are then incorporated in the City of Grand Junction's CDBG Annual Action Plan submitted to HUD for review.  Once HUD approves the plan, the program year begins September 1st and funds are typically available for disbursement by October 1st.

At the end of each program year, the City publishes a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The report is made available for public review and is then submitted to HUD.  It summarizes and evaluates the accomplishments that have been made in the community regarding the specific projects for the program year as well as progress made on community’s overall goals for the CDBG program.

Public Participation
The City of Grand Junction has adopted a Citizen Participation Plan for the CDBG program.  The Plan is outlined in the Strategic Plan and provides for and encourages public participation in the CDBG program in many areas including the development of the Strategic Plan, the Annual Action Plan and review of the CAPER.  In addition, the public is notified and comment is solicited for any changes that may be proposed during the program year.

This page updated January 7, 2008