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. 

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 DHCD (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.

Information, Guides, and Reports

General Information

FY 2023 Information

FY2023 Draft CDBG One Year Action Plan

CDBG Application Guidance for FFY22/23 Combined Application

FY 2022/2023 CDBG Application Training Notice

2023 Proposed Changes Public Information Session Notice

2023 Proposed Changes

FY 2022 Information

2022 Proposed Changes

Public Comments and Responses to Draft FFY22 CDBG One-Year Action Plan

FY 2021 Information

CDBG FFY 2021 Application Guidance

FFY 2021 CDBG Application Training

Draft 2021 CDBG One Year Action Plan

Revised FFY2021 CDBG Changes

FFY2021 CDBG Proposed Changes

FY 2020 Information

FY 2020 Draft CDBG One Year Action Plan

2020 CDBG Application Training

2020 CDBG Proposed Changes

Public Information Session FY 20 CDBG Proposed Changes

FY 2019 Information

FY2019 CDBG One Year Plan

FY 2019 Award List

Labor Standards Training 5/22/2019

FY2019 CDBG Draft One Year Plan

2019 CDBG Application Training

2019 CDBG Proposed changes

Public Information Session FY 19 CDBG Proposed Changes

FY 2018 Information

FY2018 CDBG Award List

2018 CDBG Action Plan

Application Information

CDBG On-Line Application

CDBG LMI Score 2022/2023 Combined Application

CDBG FY 2020 Application Guidance

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

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 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 4-27-22

 

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

Environmental Review

Chapter 10 Environmental Review

Statutory Checklist Guide

Environmental Assessment Checklist

Statutory Checklist

Grant Management Information/Procedures

Chapter 3 Grant Management

Chapter 11 Financial Management

Fiscal Monitoring Checklist

GMS CGMM Training

Grantee Close Out Procedures

Performance Measures Memo

Program Monitoring Packet

QPRs, Extensions, Amendments

Model Forms

Lead Requirements Worksheet

Professional Services Contract FY2021

Single Case Waiver Instructions/Form

Additional Reference Material

Procurement Charts (2018)

Designing/Constructing Public Facilities

Chapter 30B Procurement Manual

Fiscal Reporting Forms

Appendix 2 Chapter 5 Monitoring Forms

Budget and Program Revision Forms

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Feedback