South Carolina Community Development Block Grant Program

The South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (SC CDBG) Program is a state-administered initiative designed to support local governments in enhancing the quality of life in their communities. Managed by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Grants Administration, the SC CDBG provides federal funding to towns, cities, and counties that do not directly receive CDBG allocations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding aims to support infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization, public facility development, and job creation or retention efforts. The 2025 Action Plan outlines the framework under which the SC CDBG operates in the upcoming program year. This plan is a requirement for the state to access federal funds allocated by HUD for various programs, including CDBG, HOME, HTF, ESG, and HOPWA. To ensure public involvement and transparency, the state has scheduled a public hearing for January 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM at 1201 Main Street, 15th Floor Conference Facility. Additionally, written comments on the draft Action Plan are accepted from December 30, 2024, through January 28, 2025, by mail or email. Eligible applicants for the SC CDBG Program are local governments that are not HUD entitlement jurisdictions. These include municipalities and counties across South Carolina. The state encourages a broad range of project types, including but not limited to, critical infrastructure upgrades, revitalization of declining neighborhoods, public facility expansion, and economic development efforts that help sustain or grow employment opportunities in underserved areas. Projects must meet one of HUD's national objectives, such as benefiting low- to moderate-income persons, eliminating slum or blight conditions, or addressing urgent community development needs. There is a strong emphasis on community engagement and equitable development throughout the application and project development phases. The SC Department of Commerce requires applicants to adhere to a defined application process, which includes accessing draft plans, participating in public comment periods, and attending hearings when applicable. The department provides detailed manuals and resources to assist applicants in crafting competitive submissions aligned with state and federal priorities. The 2025 draft CDBG Program Description and HOME SRDP Manual are available for public download and provide specific details on programmatic guidelines, evaluation criteria, and compliance expectations. Oral comments may be presented during the hearing, and questions or clarifications can be directed to designated contact persons via phone or email. Michelle Willis (803-734-0429, [email protected]) and Elaine Huff ([email protected]) are the primary contacts for inquiries related to the SC CDBG Program. The timeline for the 2025 application cycle is outlined in the Action Plan, with engagement beginning in late 2024 and a culmination of public commentary by late January 2025. Funding decisions and awards are expected to follow once the plan is finalized and submitted to HUD. While the program follows an annual cycle, recurring participation is encouraged, and municipalities are advised to track updates and guidance published annually by the Department of Commerce.