Community Development Block Program (CDBG)

Purpose

CDBG Partners with rural cities and counties to improve the lives of their low- and moderate-income residents through the creation and expansion of community and economic development opportunities in support of livable communities.

HUD Objective: The primary federal objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and through expanding economic opportunities, principally, for persons of low- and moderate-income. “Persons of low and moderate income” are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80 percent of the county median income, adjusted for family or household size.

Assistance Type

CDBG funds are provided as grants to non-entitlement jurisdictions. Grants can vary based on annual allocations and activity limits. Must address one of three national objectives:

1. Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons
2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or
3. To meet an urgent need

Planning and Technical Assistance Grants (PTA) are available through the annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

Eligible Applicants

Non-entitlement jurisdictions [cities with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 200,000 in unincorporated areas that do not participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBG entitlement program]; non-federally recognized Native American communities; and, Colonia as defined by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.

Eligible Activities

Community Development (CD)

Housing

• Includes single- and multi-family rehabilitation, rental housing acquisition or homeownership assistance, and activities that support new housing construction.

Public Improvements

• Includes water and wastewater systems, and rural utilities such as gas and electric services.

Community Facilities

• Includes day care centers, domestic violence shelters, food banks, community centers, medical and dental facilities, and fire stations.

Public Services

• Includes staff and operating costs associated with the community facilities.

Planning and Technical Assistance (PTA)

• Includes studies and plans for housing, public works, and community facilities that meet CDBG national objectives and provide principal benefit to low-income persons.

Native American

• Housing and housing-related activities.
• Water, sewer, and housing.

Colonia

• Housing, including single- and multi-family rehabilitation, rental housing acquisition or homeownership assistance, and activities that support new housing construction.

Economic Development (ED)

Enterprise Fund

• Grants for loans to businesses for working capital, land acquisition, equipment purchase, inventory purchase, debt restructuring, and other direct assistance. Grants to support businesses by providing water and sewer services, access roads, and other public facilities. Microenterprise funds may provide credit, general support (e.g., childcare, transportation), or technical assistance for persons developing microenterprises.

Planning and Technical Assistance (PTA)

• Studies and plans for economic development activities that meet CDBG national objectives and provide principal benefit to low-income persons.

Over-the-Counter

• Grants for the creation or retention of jobs for low-income workers. May include loans or loan guarantees to businesses for construction, on-site improvements, equipment purchase, working capital, and site acquisition. May also include loans for business start-ups, grants for publicly-owned infrastructure, and loans or grants for small business incubators.

CDBG-CV Round 1 (CARES Act Funding)

• CDBG-CV Round 1 (CARES Act Funding) Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• New! HCD Office Hours Recording (YouTube) - May 19, 2020

Advisory Committee

The role of the CDBG Advisory Committee is to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on the CDBG Program that are consistent with federal requirements and result in good policies, procedures and regulations designed to benefit low- to moderate-income individuals residing in non-entitlement communities of California.

The CDBG Advisory Committee Charter is currently under review and development.

CDBG Advisory Committee Members

• CDBG Advisory Committee Members (PDF)
• Advisory Committee Representation Chart (PDF)

CDBG Programs

Community Development

• Community Development
• Native American
• Colonia
• Planning and Technical Assistance

Economic Development

• Over-the-Counter (OTC)
• Enterprise Fund
  • Business Assistance
  • Microenterprise Assistance
  • Planning and Technical Assistance

CDBG Program Redesign

Since the passage of California Senate Bill 106 in July 2017, the Department of Housing and Community Development has commenced efforts to redesign the CDBG Program for non-entitlement jurisdictions.

To share any feedback or for any additional information, contact HCD at cdbgredesign@hcd.ca.gov.

Guidelines and Regulations

• New! 2019 Final Guidelines (PDF) — Most current state regulations.
• 2016 Federal Regulations — Most current federal regulations.

Get Funding

HCD releases a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) that includes all CDBG-eligible activities.

Current NOFA

Application due date: Date varies by CDBG program, please reference the 2019-20 CDBG NOFA. Please be sure you are subscribed to the CDBG emailing list to receive notifications and announcements.

** Please note - As of 07/24/20 a total of $73,810,399 in Community Development OTC applications have been received of the $23 million available in funding. While we continue to accept applications through the September 30, 2020 Community Development OTC deadline, applications are being reviewed and funded in order received.

New! 2019-20 CDBG NOFA Amendment #2 (PDF)

2019-20 CDBG NOFA Amendment #1 (PDF)

2019-20 CDBG NOFA (PDF)

New! 2019-20 Over the Counter (OTC) Applications Received (PDF) (Updated as of 07/24/2020)

2019-20 Application must be accessed through the eCivis portal - Programs Available for Solicitation page

New! Coming Soon - CDBG-CV2 NOFA Amendment #2
The amendment will extend the application deadline only to jurisdictions contemplating use of federal funds for properties purchased with Homekey funds from: September 21, 2020 to February 1, 2021.

New! CDBG-CV1 NOFA Amendment #1 (PDF)

CDBG-CV1 NOFA (PDF) Notice of Funding Availability for CDBG Coronavirus Response Round 1 funding as authorized by the CARES Act.

CDBG-CV1 Application must be accessed through the eCivis portal - Programs Available for Solicitation page NOFA application documentation is included on the “Files” tab of the application solicitation.  Please review the files for additional instructions and resources to assist in preparing applications.

Workshop Dates and Locations

There are no workshops available at this time.

Map of Grants Management Representatives (by County)

Program Forms

Management Memos

Training and Technical Assistance