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Community Development Block Grant Program—Description

The State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 USC 5301, et seq.). Subsequent legislation and regulations (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 - Public Law 97-34, and 24 CFR Part 570, Subpart I) allowed states to administer the program for smaller cities and counties. In 1982, California's Executive Branch and Legislature agreed that the State should administer the program and assigned this responsibility to the Department of Housing and Community Development. The State CDBG program is implemented by the California Health and Safety Code section 50825, et seq, and the California Code of Regulations (Title 25, Section 7050, et seq).

The primary federal objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. "Persons of low and moderate income" or the "targeted income group" (TIG) are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80 percent of the county median income, with adjustments for family or household size.

Each year the program makes funds available to eligible jurisdictions through several allocations: General and Native American, Economic Development, Planning and Technical Assistance, and Colonias. Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) are published for each allocation as the funds become available. Successful applicants enter into contracts with the State to complete the specified activities with the grant funds.