Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs.

The Community Development Fund (CDF) awards grants to communities throughout the Commonwealth.  This program helps eligible cities and towns to meet a broad range of community development needs in housing, infrastructure, revitalization, economic development and public social services.  It supports CDBG eligible activities and encourages applicants to develop coordinated, integrated and creative solutions to local problems. 

Table of Contents

Eligible Applicants

Municipalities with a population of under 50,000 that do not receive CDBG funds directly from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are eligible for CDBG funding. Communities may apply on behalf of a specific developer or property owner.

 

MINI-ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM

Municipalities were selected to be Mini-Entitlement communities through on a formula calculation based on a high statistical indication of need, poverty rate and size.

Eligible Activities

Eligible CDBG projects include but are not limited to:

  • housing rehabilitation or development
  • micro-enterprise or other business assistance
  • infrastructure
  • community/public facilities
  • public social services
  • planning
  • removal of architectural barriers to allow access by persons with disabilities
  • downtown or area revitalization

Applications can be submitted by individual communities or regionally by multiple communities with one lead community.
 

How to Apply

This Application Guidance package explains how to apply to the Community Development Fund and Mini-Entitlement Program, including information on what to submit, deadlines, special eligibility standards, and the application review processes. The CDBG online application and grant management system can be accessed via this website. First-time users need to contact the CDBG staff at EOHLC (617-573-1100) prior to using the online system. Applications are accepted once per year, and, if funded, have an 18-month implementation timeline.

Funding Limits

Funding limits for all CDBG components are outlined in the One Year Plan.

Stakeholder/Grantee Surveys

Community Engagement Resources

CDBG Spotlight

Presidents Award Winner COSCDA 2023

In September 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received the 2023 President’s Award for Innovation from the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) at its annual conference. This award recognizes innovative activities, policies or programs that have been implemented at the state level, which have demonstrated success in solving community needs.

The award recognized the Community Development Block Grant CDBG-CV Food Insecurity effort, specifically the partnership between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and 2Gether We Eat. 2Gether We Eat was awarded CDBG-CV funds from the Greater Worcester CF to purchase two hydroponic container farms that were sited at two schools in LMI neighborhoods in Worcester.  This was a fresh approach to address food insecurity and food deserts through hydroponic farming that resulted in increased access to affordable and nutritious food, that, in turn, will positively affect local public health.

CDBG Impact Reports

Information, Guides, and Reports

General Information

CDBG Welcome Guide

FFY 2024 Information

FFY 2024 Draft CDBG One Year Action Plan

FFY 2024 Proposed Changes Public Information Session Notice

FFY 2024 Proposed Changes Memo

FFY24 CDBG Application Training Notice

FY 2023 Information

FY2023 Draft CDBG One Year Action Plan

CDBG Application Guidance for FFY22/23 Combined Application

Application Information

CDBG On-Line Application

CDBG LMI Score 2024 Application

FFY 2024 CDBG Application Guidance

Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Appendix J
Appendix K

FFY 2024 CDBG Application Training PowerPoint
FFY 2024 CDBG Application Training – Q & A Document

BABA Documentation Form

Avoiding Special Conditions – FFY24 CDBG Application

Application Technical Assistance Guides

Housing Rehabilitation

Infrastructure & Public Facilities

Public Social Services

Architectural Barrier Removal

FFY 2021 Start-up Training and Resources

Start-up 2021

Training Playlist

 

RECOVERY HOUSING

Notice of 6/27/22 Public Hearing about the HUD Recovery Housing Program

HUD Recovery Housing Program Draft Action Plan June, 2022

Notice of Public Hearing about the HUD Recovery Housing Program

HUD Recovery Housing Program Draft Action Plan

Cares Act Information

CDBG Substantial Amendment #3 - Federal CARES Act Update 7/02/2021

CDBG Substantial Amendment #2 - Federal CARES Act Update 9/11/20

CDBG Substantial Amendment - Federal CARES Act Update 4/30/20

DHCD (now EOHLC) announced a NOFA on 5/15/20 through CommBuys for State CDBG-CV funds. The NOFA and additional documents are attached below. Applications are due by close of business June 12, 2020. DHCD will continue to accept applications after this date with first consideration for those submitted by June 12. Application decisions are expected within 1-2 weeks of submission.

CDBG-CV updated NOFA 5.26.2020

Environmental Review Exempt - CENST

CDBG-CV NOFA due date extended

CDBG-CV NOFA FAQ

Microenterprise COVID FAQs 10/15/2021

Community Foundations Food Security FAQ 5-11-23

Additional Program Information

Conflict of Interest Informational Memo

HUD Guidebook to State CDBG Programs

HUD Income Limits

HUD Income Limit Area Definitions

Lead Based Paint Compliance

Procurement of Services from CDCs

Procurement of a Social Services

Guide to Housing Rehabilitation EOHLC Training

HR Best Practices - Inspections and Construction Phase

HR Setting Up for Success

Environmental Review

Chapter 10 Environmental Review

Statutory Checklist Guide

Environmental Assessment Checklist

Statutory Checklist

Section 3 Information

Section 3 EOHLC Guidance

Section 3 Reporting Template

Section 3 Guidebook: Welcome - HUD Exchange

Grant Management Information/Procedures

Chapter 3 Grant Management

Chapter 11 Financial Management

Chapter 20 Housing Rehabilitation

Fiscal Monitoring Checklist

GMS CGMM Training

Grantee Close Out Procedures

Performance Measures Memo

Program Monitoring Packet

QPRs, Extensions, Amendments

Model Forms

Lead Requirements Worksheet

CDBG Professional Services Contract FFY22/23

Single Case Waiver Instructions/Form

Additional Reference Material

Designing/Constructing Public Facilities

Chapter 30B Procurement Manual

Fiscal Reporting Forms

Appendix 2 Chapter 5 Monitoring Forms

Budget and Program Revision Forms

Contact   for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Phone

Please listen for phone menu options for EOHLC divisions

Kevin Connor, press secretary

Address

Main Office
100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114

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