2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The City of Lewiston is now accepting proposals for activities and projects benefiting low- and moderate-income Lewiston residents.
Based on prior year allocations, the City expects to award approximately $200,000 in CDBG funds to selected, eligible projects. The primary purpose of the CDBG program is to fund community development projects and programs, which benefit low- and moderate- income people. To use CDBG funds most effectively, the City will prioritize projects which address identified needs in the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan.
Priority needs identified in the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan:
1. Housing Affordability
- Support the development of affordable rental and owned housing, including projects located near employment and transportation.
- Extend the useful life of existing affordable housing through weatherization, repair, and rehabilitation programs.
2. Homelessness & Homelessness Prevention
- Assist persons who are homeless through emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and supportive services.
- Assist households at risk of homelessness.
3. Non-Housing Community Development
- Fund non-housing community development activities that eliminate blight, improve safety, and support new affordable housing development, such as sidewalk construction and repair, street improvements, transportation improvements, ADA improvements, and other allowable infrastructure or facility improvements not listed here.
4. Public Services & Economic Opportunity
- Fund projects that provide supportive services to low and moderate income households, as well as special needs populations. Includes but is not limited to medical and dental services, childcare, mental health and substance abuse services, services for victims of domestic violence, transportation assistance, and other allowable public services not listed here.
5. Fair Housing Education & Enforcement
- Provide fair housing education activities to the general population and vulnerable groups.
- Fund targeted fair housing such as complaint handling services and enforcement.
General Information
CDBG
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate- income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended; 42 U.S.C. -5301 et seq.
HUD awards grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.
Entitlement communities develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income persons. A grantee may also carry out activities which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. Additionally, grantees may fund activities when the grantee certifies that the activities meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs. CDBG funds may not be used for activities which do not meet one of these national objectives.
The City of Lewiston's CDBG Entitlement Program
The City of Lewiston was designated as an Entitlement Community under the CDBG program by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Because of this designation, the City receives a grant on an annual basis contingent upon Congress approval of the Federal budget.
Currently the City's CDBG program is implemented through a process where qualified agencies apply for these funds prior to the start of each program year (August 1 to July 31) for eligible projects and activities. The City goes through a selection and fund allocation process to ensure funds are used to achieve the community goals and objectives as established in the five-year Consolidated Plan.
If your agency is interested in participating in the program, follow this link to learn more.
Eligible Activities
Not less than 70% of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low-and moderate-income persons. CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:
- Acquisition of real property;
- Relocation and demolition;
- Rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures;
- Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes;
- Public services, within certain limits;
- Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources;
- Provisions of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities.
Each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program:
- Benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
- Prevention or elimination of slums or blight.
- Address community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.
**Generally the following types of activities are ineligible: political activities; acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government; certain income payments; construction of new housing (with some exceptions). **
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