home and cdbg Programs

The Housing Services Division of the Department of Community Development is responsible for coordination and oversight of the federal housing and community development funds awarded to the City of Cedar Rapids by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As an "entitlement" community, the City has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive Federal funds awarded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs. Through an initiative of HUD called "Consolidated Planning", the City makes application for this funding as part of a five-year strategy which identifies community need and the manner of best prioritizing resources for improvement.

On average, the City receives an annual allocation of about $1.5 million through the CDBG Program and $500,000 through the HOME Program. The basic goals of these programs are to:

• Provide decent housing (by assisting the homeless, retaining affordable housing stock, increasing the availability of permanent housing, and increasing supportive services for persons with special need without discrimination).
  
• Provide a suitable living environment (by improving the safety and livability of neighborhoods, increasing access to quality facilities and services, reducing the isolation of income groups, revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods, restoring/preserving features of special value for historic, architectural, or aesthetic reasons, and conserving energy resources).
  
• Expand Economic Opportunity (by creating jobs, providing access for credit, and empowering people in federally assisted housing to achieve self-sufficiency).
  
  

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
To be eligible for CDBG funding, proposals must address one of three broad national objectives:

• principally benefit low- moderate-income households
  
• reduce or eliminate slum & blighting conditions
  
• address a particular urgency (such as natural disaster or immediate health threat).
  
• Funding must also address any of a number of specific eligible projects. There is great flexibility for use of the money. To summarize, the City has traditionally funded housing rehabilitation assistance (for owner-occupants) and a variety of public facility and service improvements. "Sub recipient" entities may undertake activities, if they possess appropriate non-profit status. New housing construction is one of only a few ineligible activities, not allowed by law.
  

The HOME Investment Partnership Program
HOME funding is principally eligible to assist any of a number of housing assistance activities. To summarize, the City has traditionally funded rehabilitation assistance (for rental investors), and has provided down-payment/closing cost assistance for first-time qualified home buyers. A set-aside requirement also ensures that a portion of the funds are provided to non-profit entities certified as a "Community Development Housing Organization ("ChoDO") carry-out other housing assistance activities. New construction is eligible under this program, but any assistance provided (for any activity) generally invokes long-term affordability provisions (to benefit low- moderate-income households).

The City's Funding Proposal Process
The City solicits CDBG & HOME funding proposals through an application process that occurs annually from mid-October to mid-December. During that period, application forms and instructions will be made available at the City's Home Page under "Shortcuts-For Citizens".

A "Grants & Programs" citizens committee then reviews all proposals and, in consideration of the City's approved "Consolidated Plan", makes advisory recommendations to the City Council in favor of those that should be approved. After a public review and comment period, final funding decisions are submitted to HUD in the form of an annual Action Plan for a fiscal year from July 1st through each June 30th.

• 2008 HOME/CDBG Action Plan
  (Word 182 KB, 13 pages)



• FY08 HOME Application Packet
  (Word 182 KB, 13 pages)



• FY08 CDBG Application Packet
  (Word 182 KB, 13 pages)



• Pre-Application Presentation
  (PDF 23KB, 21 pages)




• FY2005-FY2010 Five-year Strategy
  (PDF 1.33 MB, 215 pages)
  
  
• FY2007 Action Plan
  (PDF 3.75 MB, 124 pages)

Questions may be directed to Jane Benning at (319) 286-5873 or Paula Hinzman Mitchell at (319) 286-5852.