Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally funded initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It allocates formula-based funding directly to eligible cities, such as the City of Poughkeepsie, based on several demographic and economic indicators. These include the extent of poverty, population size, housing overcrowding, age of housing, and population growth lag in comparison to other metropolitan areas. The City of Poughkeepsie utilizes its entitlement to CDBG funds to support an array of community development projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The purpose of the CDBG program is to enable municipalities to address critical community needs through the development and rehabilitation of public infrastructure, facilities, and housing. Funds are directed toward efforts such as homelessness prevention, neighborhood revitalization, youth and health services, demolition of blighted structures, and economic development. All activities supported by CDBG must meet one of three national objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent or eliminate slums or blight, or address urgent community development needs that pose an immediate threat to health or welfare. Administered at the local level, the City of Poughkeepsie’s Community Development Department oversees the disbursement of CDBG funds through an annual competitive process. Applicants must review the City’s CDBG Policies and Procedures and complete the Public Service Agency Application, which includes extensive programmatic, demographic, and budgetary documentation. The minimum grant request is $10,000 and the maximum allowable is $40,000, based on the revised policy funding caps. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that propose either new, ongoing, or expanded programs within the City of Poughkeepsie. Projects must demonstrate alignment with the priorities identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan, including but not limited to homelessness support, youth engagement, affordable housing, senior services, and public safety initiatives. Organizations are required to identify how their projects meet HUD’s national objectives, complete demographic breakdowns of populations served, and submit a program budget and timeline as part of the application package. The application process includes completion of multiple appendices: a detailed budget (Appendix A), a program timeline (Appendix B), a board roster (Appendix C), and certifications (Appendix D). The City also requests a narrative demonstrating organizational experience with federally funded programs, a description of intake procedures, and evidence of service need supported by data. A one-page success story can be submitted for bonus consideration. Applications for the 2026 cycle are due April 10, 2026. Questions regarding the preparation of the application should be directed to the City’s Social Development Director at 845-451-4046. Additional planning and evaluation documentation is available via the Annual Action Plan and Consolidated Plan PDFs linked on the City’s official website. Awards are determined based on the highest demonstrated benefit to citizens of the City of Poughkeepsie.

Read through CDBG Policies and Procedures carefully; align applications with the Consolidated Plan's specified priorities.