Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

News & Notices

Background

The City of Temecula receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year. CDBG funds are provided by the federal government to help people with extremely low, low, and moderate incomes and those who may be particularly vulnerable (for example people with disabilities). Assistance provided by CDBG funds is targeted toward affordable housing, establishing suitable living environments, and expanding opportunities for lower income residents. CDBG funds are broken down into three categories:

Capital Improvements – physical improvements to the private or public built environment to support low income and protected populations (e.g., people with disabilities)
Public Service Allocation – funds to support other organizations or nonprofits (known as public service providers) that serve low income and/or protected populations
Administrative Funds – funds to administer the CDBG program and enforce the federal government’s stringent regulatory requirements

CDBG funds follow a regular cycle and process that includes analysis, data collection, community involvement, transparency, and performance measurement. The steps are as follows:

1) A Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) is developed every five years. The plan reflects local priorities that meet federal national objectives for CDBG funds. This is a community-based process that includes:

data analysis
resident feedback/surveys
stakeholder feedback (for example, nonprofits that serve the community)
progress towards national objectives

Whenever there is a new Consolidated Plan, the Annual Action Plan (AAP) is included in the Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan also works with the Citizen Participation Plan (CCP) and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI).

The Citizen Participation Plan (CCP) outlines policies for the City to involve citizens and interested parties in the CDBG process. The CCP has a focus on ensuring that lower income and vulnerable populations are involved in the CDBG process.

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) identifies data which could show trends that reflect if certain individuals or groups are discriminated against. This potential discrimination is in conflict with Fair Housing Rights and Obligations, federal and state law. The AI reviews policies, practices and procedures that could impact housing choice and recommends ways to address potential obstacles.

2) A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is released in the fall/winter letting the community know that funding applications are available. Workshops and information sessions are held to help public service providers apply for CDBG funds.

3) CDBG Funding Applications are submitted in the fall/winter as public service providers request CDBG funding. These applications include detailed plans for how a public service provider plans on serving low income and vulnerable populations.

4) Annual Action Plans (AAP) are developed during the winter and encourage public input on the allocation of funds for a Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30). The AAP is a public process that includes a public City Council subcommittee meeting and public City Council meeting.

5) Notice to Proceed approvals are provided once the City Council approves the Annual Action Plan and when final CDBG allocation is provided by HUD. Public service providers start the process of implementing their programs, documenting progress, and requesting reimbursement.

6) Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPERs) are completed during fall, outlining the accomplishments of the previous Fiscal Year and progress towards Consolidated Plan goals.

The CDBG process then repeats with the Annual Action Plan every year, and Consolidated Plan every five years.