Community Development Block Grants were established 50 years ago this year as a way to provide low- and moderate-income communities with extra taxpayer-funded grants to improve quality of life.

According to the 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

• Provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities

Mayor Joshua García and Alicia Zoeller, director of the Office for Community Development, answer all questions posed by Linda Pratt, community producer of the Ask series.

“Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program invests in our nation’s communities by supporting activities for low-to-moderate income populations. CDBG reaches every corner of the country from urban cities to rural towns and populations in between. Funding is directed to all states, territories, and congressional districts annually. It remains one of the most important resources for state and local governments and their program partners to use in devising flexible solutions to meet community development needs. CDBG has been critically underfunded and program grantees now contend with less funding to undertake community improvements and development.”

More info here about the federal grants:

Have an idea for your small (1-5 people) business?

Would a little extra $ help you repair your home?

Do you have questions about how the city can help you? The city’s Office for Community Development: https://www.holyoke.org/departments/community-development/