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Does not require a cost share or matching funds |
Summary: Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program can assist small municipalities with low- and moderate-income populations in addressing threats to community health and welfare, including threats stemming from flooding and sea level rise. The program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable members of communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses.
Funding amount: Generally, no federal statutory maximums exist for eligible projects, although individual states allocate funds to prioritized projects and may impose additional limitations. In 2019, South Carolina allocated $12 million of CDBG funding to community infrastructure projects in grants valued between $50,000 and $750,000.
Eligible activities: There are 27 eligible activities, including open space acquisition; construction, repair, replacement, or relocation of public facilities; and improvements, such as dams or levees. Each grantee is free to determine the activities it will fund as long as each activity meets one of three national objectives:
- Principally benefits moderate- or low-income people
- Aids in eliminating / preventing slums or blight.
- Addresses an imminent threat to health or safety of residents.
Funding: Generally, no federal statutory maximums exist for eligible projects, although individual states allocate funds to prioritized projects and may impose additional limitations. In 2019, South Carolina allocated $12 million of CDBG funding to community infrastructure projects in grants valued between $50,000 and $750,000.
Cost share: This program has no federal/state cost-share requirements, although some states may impose a match requirement on local grantees.
Application process:
- For application information, contact your local HUD Community Planning and Development field office.
- Identify your office online.
- Communities may also want to contact their State Economic Development Office, which administers the program.
| Project spotlight — Drainage improvements in Fellsmere, Florida:
The City of Fellsmere, Florida was one of 24 small and rural communities across Florida that received a grant through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in July 2019. A grant of $700,000 will help the City pave and make flood and drainage improvements along streets and install a swale drain. The majority of grant funds will be used for flood mitigation and drainage improvements in an area plagued by flooding during heavy rainfall. |
