There are two primary Massachusetts CDBG funding programs, the Community Development Fund (CDF) and the Mini-Entitlement Program (ME) Program. The Community Development Fund (CDF) is a competitive program and awards grants to eligible communities throughout the Commonwealth, helping cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs in housing, infrastructure, revitalization, economic development and public social services. Municipalities selected for the Mini-Entitlement Program (ME) Program are determined by using a formula calculation based on high statistical indicators of need, poverty rate and population size. Each program has specific eligibility requirements and application procedures, which are described in more detail below.
Eligible Applicants
There are 351 municipalities incorporated in Massachusetts. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has designated 37 of these municipalities as CDBG Entitlement Communities; in general, these communities exceed 50,000 in population and receive CDBG funds directly from HUD. The Community Development Fund (CDF) is available to all municipalities that are not Entitlement Communities as identified by HUD or as Mini-Entitlement (ME) communities as identified by EOHLC.
Eligible Activities
Appendix A: HCDA Eligible Activities for States
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
How to Apply
Guidance for FFY 2025 applications will be available in early 2025 and published on this webpage. EOHLC will also conduct a training session for applicants in early 2025, with details to follow. Applications must be submitted online through EOHLC's web portal. The proposed deadline for applications is April 14, 2025 @ 3:00 pm. Information about program requirements may be found in the FFY 2025 One Year Plan and Proposed Changes Memo below. Prior year’s application guidance is also available below.
FFY 2025 Information
FFY 2024 Information
FFY24 CDBG Start-up Training PowerPoint (Program)
FFY24 CDBG Start-up Training PowerPoint (Fiscal)
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 LMI Score 2024 Application
FFY 2024 CDBG Application Guidance
Appendix A Eligible Community Development Block Grant Activities
Appendix B HUD Low-Mod Data 2011 - 2015 ACS
Appendix C CDBG Income Survey Toolkit
Appendix D Low-and Moderate-Income Limits
Appendix E Green/Sustainable Space Building Guidance
Appendix F Position Classification and Wage Schedule Guide
Appendix G Primary Federal Regulations
Appendix H List of Entitlement Communities in Massachusetts
Appendix I Public Facilities Project Phases of Design
Appendix J Base-line Information Form for CDBG Activities to Prevent or Eliminate Conditions of Slums or Blight: Area Basis
Appendix K Slum and Blight Area Inventory Sheet
FFY 2024 CDBG Application Training – PowerPoint
FFY 2024 CDBG Application Training – Q & A Document
Avoiding Special Conditions – FFY24 CDBG Application
FFY24 Application - CEO - Signatory Information
Application Technical Assistance Guides
Infrastructure & Public Facilities
Additional Program Information
Conflict of Interest Informational Memo
HUD Guidebook to State CDBG Programs
HUD Income Limit Area Definitions
Procurement of Services from CDCs
Procurement of a Social Services
Guide to Housing Rehabilitation EOHLC Training
HR Best Practices - Inspections and Construction Phase
Environmental Review
Chapter 10 Environmental Review
Statutory Checklist Guide
Environmental Assessment Checklist
Statutory Checklist
Radon and Environmental Review Requirements and Procedures Flowchart
Scientific Data Review Method - Documenting for ERR
EOHLC Radon and Environmental Review Requirements and Procedures Guide
Section 3 Information
Section 3 Guidebook: Welcome - HUD Exchange
Grant Management Information/Procedures
Chapter 11 Financial Management
Chapter 20 Housing Rehabilitation
Model Forms
LMI Area-Wide – Block Group Information Documentation Form
CDBG Professional Services Contract FFY24
Single Case Waiver Instructions/Form
Additional Reference Material
Designing/Constructing Public Facilities
Chapter 30B Procurement Manual
Fiscal Reporting Forms
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
Microenterprise COVID FAQs 10/15/2021
Community Foundations Food Security FAQ 5-11-23
Presidents Award Winner COSCDA 2023
CARES ACT CDBG-CV Microenterprise Program Summary
RECOVERY HOUSING
FFY 2023 Recovery Housing Plan
Notice of Public Hearing for 6/5/2024
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
Stakeholder/Grantee Surveys
Community Engagement Resources
Contact for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Online
Phone
Please listen for phone menu options for EOHLC divisions
Kevin Connor, press secretary