Community Development Grant Program

The City of Lodi, California, administers its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program with funding allocated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Established in 1985, the City’s participation in the CDBG program has allowed it to direct federal resources toward community-based projects that support housing, infrastructure, and public service needs, especially in low- to moderate-income areas. HUD determines Lodi’s annual allocation based on demographic and housing criteria, including population size, poverty rate, and housing stock conditions. For the 2026–2027 program year, the City expects to receive approximately $600,000 in federal CDBG funds, although the final award amount will be confirmed upon approval of the federal budget in spring 2026. Lodi’s CDBG program emphasizes activities that align with HUD’s national objectives, particularly those benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals or neighborhoods. Applications must demonstrate how proposed projects align with at least one of the three objectives: direct benefit to low-income residents, elimination of slums or blight, or response to urgent community development needs. Applicants must also align with one or more of the five strategic goals defined in Lodi’s 2024–2028 Consolidated Plan: improving public and community facilities, preserving or increasing affordable housing, supporting critical public services, encouraging fair housing, or reducing homelessness. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits and local government entities. For the 2026–2027 cycle, approximately $390,000 will be allocated to capital improvement and non-public service projects, while around $90,000 will support public service initiatives. Each application must target either infrastructure and public facilities or public service projects—only one application form is provided for this cycle, as public service projects are being renewed. Funds are expected to be available starting July 1, 2026, and all funded activities must be completed by June 30, 2027. The application period opens on December 8, 2025, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026. Submissions must be made electronically, with the primary application document submitted in Word format and all supporting attachments in PDF format. Applications must be sent via email or FTP to the City’s Neighborhood Services team. Proposals will be evaluated using a scoring rubric also provided on the City’s Community Development webpage. The evaluation process includes staff review and scoring, followed by a recommendation for inclusion in the City’s draft Annual Action Plan, which will undergo public review before submission to City Council on June 3, 2026. Eligible activities include public facilities improvements, housing rehabilitation, economic development, fair housing services, and homeless services, among others. Projects must either serve a defined geographic area in which over 51% of the population is low- to moderate-income or cater to a specific eligible clientele, such as seniors, disabled persons, or homeless individuals. To ensure eligibility and proper alignment with City priorities, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Consolidated Plan goals and consult staff as needed. For further guidance, applicants may contact Kari Chadwick, Program Specialist, at [email protected] or by phone at (209) 330-8890, or Austin Knudsen, Contract CDBG Specialist, at [email protected] or (916) 231-2231.

Projects must be new or an expansion of services; align with 2024–2028 Consolidated Plan goals to improve competitiveness; review scoring rubric closely.