Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was established under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Designed to empower local governments, the program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled metropolitan cities and urban counties. These funds support a wide range of community development efforts with a primary focus on benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. The City of Norfolk, Virginia, is one such entitlement community and receives approximately $4.5 million annually to implement eligible housing, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives. The overarching objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities through the provision of decent housing, a suitable living environment, and the expansion of economic opportunities. To achieve this, eligible activities under the program include public services (capped at 15% of the total grant), housing rehabilitation, economic development, public facilities and infrastructure improvements, and planning and administration. Conversely, funding cannot be used for activities such as general government operations, political activities, income payments, or new housing construction. Eligible recipients of CDBG funds must meet the national objective of benefiting low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals, defined as those living in households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Each activity funded must ensure that at least 51% of the beneficiaries are LMI persons. Furthermore, grantees may pursue projects that address slum and blight conditions or urgent community development needs that pose immediate threats to health and welfare. Entitlement communities such as Norfolk are responsible for creating local priorities, engaging in citizen participation processes, and submitting an Annual Action Plan through HUD's Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS). This includes at least one public hearing and documentation of community needs, proposed activities, and performance reviews. Additionally, grantees must respond in writing to public comments and grievances. While HUD does not award CDBG funding directly to individuals or non-governmental organizations, these entities may participate in locally administered programs supported by CDBG funding. Interested parties are encouraged to contact their local municipality for more information on how to apply for or engage with funded projects. In Norfolk, potential applicants or stakeholders may contact the HUD Entitlement team at hudentitlement@norfolk.gov or call 757-664-6510. CDBG is a recurring program with annual funding cycles. Based on its established cadence and the continuing nature of entitlement allocations, the next anticipated application cycle would align with the previous year’s timeline. While specific future dates are not stated, internal planning and community consultation typically begin several months prior to submission deadlines, in accordance with HUD’s eCon Planning Suite timeline for the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan submissions.

Grantees must prioritize activities serving low/moderate-income persons and ensure public input through hearings and accessible documentation.