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, planning, public facilities, public social services, removal of architectural barriers.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the CDBG Application link. The 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 Final Proposed Changes Memo below.
FFY 2025 Information
Brief Guide to 2025 CDBG RFP Online System
FFY 2025 Application Training PPT
FFY 2025 Application LMI Scores/HUD LMI%
FFY 2025 Application Guidance/Appendixes
Appendix A Eligible Community Development Block Grant Activities
Appendix B HUD Low-Mod Data 2016 - 2020 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 2025 BABA Documentation Form
FFY 2025 CDBG Application Training Notice
FFY 2025 Draft One Year Action Plan
FFY 2025 Proposed Changes Public Information Session Notice
FFY2025 Final Proposed Changes Memo
*Please note, the required CEO/Signatory Post Application Submission Contact Information Form will be made available in mid-August 2025. Please check back in August. Thank you!
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
Avoiding Special Conditions – FFY24 CDBG Application
FFY24 Application - CEO - Signatory Information
Application Technical Assistance Guides
Infrastructure & Public Facilities
Useful Guides and Resources
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
Environmental Review Training Video (2022)
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 & Procedures
Chapter 11 Financial Management
Chapter 20 Housing Rehabilitation
Conflict of Interest Informational Memo
Model Forms
Budget and Program Revision Forms
CDBG Professional Services Contract FFY24
LMI Area-Wide – Block Group Information Documentation Form
Single Case Waiver Instructions/Form
Additional Reference Material
Community Engagement Resources
Contact
Online
Phone
Please listen for phone menu options for EOHLC divisions
Tara Smith, press secretary
Mass211 is available 24/7 to answer general questions about EOHLC housing or home energy programs. Translation available.