Funding to help states and units of local government in non-entitlement areas meet their housing
and community development needs.
Nature of Program: Provides grants to carry out a wide range of community development
activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved
community facilities and services. All CDBG activities must meet at least one of the following
national objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons; aid in the prevention or
elimination of slums and blight; or meet certain urgent community development needs. No less
than 70 percent of the funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income
persons over a period specified by the state, not to exceed 3 years.
Some of the activities that can be carried out with community development funds include: the
acquisition of real property; the rehabilitation of residential and nonresidential properties; the
provision of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer, streets, and
neighborhood centers; the clearance, demolition, and removal of buildings; homeownership
assistance; and assistance to for-profit businesses for economic development activities.
In 1981, each state was given the option to administer the block grant funds provided for its nonentitlement areas. If this option is exercised, the block grant funds are provided to the state,
which distributes them as grants to its eligible units of general local government. The states'
objectives and methods of distributing the funds are determined in consultation with affected
citizens and local elected officials. States are required to report annually on the use of funds.
Applicant Eligibility: Forty-nine states and Puerto Rico are eligible to receive grant funds for
distribution to non-entitlement units of government (those that are not metropolitan cities or part
of an urban county). Hawaii has elected not to administer funding under the state CDBG
program. In Hawaii, HUD awards the funds directly to the three eligible non-entitlement
counties using statutorily determined formula factors.
Funding Distribution: From each year's CDBG appropriation available for formula
distribution, 30 percent is allocated to non-entitlement areas. This amount is then allocated
among the states on a formula basis. Each state's allocation is distributed to units of general local
government by either the state or, in Hawaii, by HUD.
Legal Authority: Title I, Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et
seq.).
Regulations are at 24 CFR part 570.
Information Sources: States and HUD field offices.
On the Web (the State-Administered CDBG):
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbgstate/
(Non-Entitlement CDBG Grants in Hawaii):
https://www.hudexchange.info/cdbg-hudadministered/
Current Status: Active.