Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

Developing Viable Communities
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal program funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For rural areas it is administered by the Arizona Department of Housing. Only local governments can apply for this funding. Mohave County applies every two years as determined by an agreement of the local governments in the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Regional Method of Distribution.

Purpose of CDBG
The purpose of CDBG is to assist in the development of viable urban (and rural) communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income.

CDBG Projects must meet one of the three national objectives established by Congress:
Address an urgent need, i.e. activity in a disaster area, health hazard.
Benefit at least 51% low and moderate income people.
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slum or blight.

State's Annual Action Plan Funded Project Examples
 

Next Funding Cycle 

Public Hearings are held on a 2-year cycle. The 1^st Public Hearing for the next funding cycle is being held on Thursday January 11, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Saguaro Conference Room in the Community Services Department at the Mohave County Administration Building. For more information on the process on having your project considered please feel free to reach out to the contact below for assistance.

• Public Hearing #1 (P-2) Display Ad
• CDBG Fact Sheet
• HUD Low to Moderate Income Data
• CDBG Pre-Application 
• Required submittals for Non-Profit applicants

If you would like to be placed on a mailing list, or want further information on the CDBG program please contact:
Rebecca Kessler
Grants Coordination Specialist
(928) 753-0723 ext 4215
Contact Us

Fact Sheet

Overview

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. 5301 et seq. The program was designed to reinforce several important values and principles of community development:

• CDBG's flexibility empowers people and communities to design and implement strategies tailored
  to their own needs and priorities.
• CDBG's emphasis on consolidated planning expands and strengthens partnerships among all levels
  of government and the private sector in enhancing community development.
• CDBG's technical assistance activities and set-aside for grantees builds the capacity of these
  partners.

BEST PRACTICES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM 

Eligible Grantees

Eligible grantees are as follows:

• Principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs)
• Other metropolitan cities with populations of at least 50,000
•  Qualified urban counties with populations of at least 200,000 (excluding the population of entitled
  cities)
• States and insular areas

Eligibility for participation as an entitlement community is based on population data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and metropolitan area delineations published by the Office of Management and Budget HUD determines the amount of each entitlement grantee’s annual funding allocation by a statutory dual formula which uses several objective measures of community needs, including the extent of poverty,
population, housing overcrowding, age of housing and population growth lag in relationship to other
metropolitan areas.

Eligibility for participation as a state - 49 States and Puerto Rico participate in the State CDBG Program. HUD continues to administer the program for the non-entitled counties in the State of Hawaii because the State has permanently elected not to participate in the State CDBG Program. HUD distributes funds to each State based on a statutory formula which takes into account population, poverty, incidence of
overcrowded housing, and age of housing.

States participating in the CDBG Program award grants only to non-entitlement Units of General Local Government (UGLG).

Eligible Activities

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 payments
• Construction of new housing (with some exceptions)

Eligible Beneficiaries

Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, as selected by the grantee, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. 

HUD does not provide CDBG assistance directly to individuals, businesses, nonprofit or organizations or other non-governmental entities. If you are interested in participating in this program, you need to contact your local municipal or county officials to find out how the program operates in your area. Participation
requirements may differ from one grantee to another.

If your local government officials cannot answer your questions, or if you are a local official, contact the HUD field office that serves your area. Note that the local government administers the program and determines which local projects receive funding.