CDBG Program

Contact: Tim Hansen (508) 459-3339

Administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and at the state level by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is one of the most successful planning grant programs ever created. Established in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs by HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1,180 general units of local government and States.

Eligible applicants of the CDBG program include municipalities with a population of under 50,000 that do not receive CDBG funds directly from HUD. Communities may apply on behalf of a specific developer or property owner. In Massachusetts, the CDBG Program is designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs. Eligible CDBG projects include but are not limited to housing rehabilitation or development, micro-enterprise or other business assistance, infrastructure, community/public facilities, public social services, planning, removal of architectural barriers to allow access by persons with disabilities, and downtown or area revitalization. Assistance is provided to qualifying cities and towns for such projects as housing, community, and economic development projects that assist low and moderate-income residents, or by revitalizing areas of slum or blight.