Overview

CDBG is a program from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD) that the Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) uses to help communities. DHCD uses CDBG to support non-profit organizations and public agencies that work on housing and public services. This program is considered one of DHCD's biggest successes!

About the CDBG Program

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal program created under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Its main goal is to help build strong communities by providing affordable housing for families with low to moderate incomes and by supporting local economic growth.

The program can fund 26 different types of activities, but at least 70% of the funds must directly benefit low- and moderate-income people. To receive CDBG funding, a project must meet at least one of the following goals:

  • Help people with low or moderate incomes
  • Prevent or fix slums or blighted areas
  • Address an urgent need (like after a disaster)

In Baltimore, the Consolidated Planning Division (CPD) of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) manages and oversees the CDBG program on behalf of the city. Responsibilities include:

  • Preparation of  5-Year Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, and Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Reports (CAPER)

    The Annual Action Plan is the application submitted to the federal government to receive funding under four formula programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA).

  • Managing the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS)

    The IDIS is HUD's system for tracking approved activities and is used to set up, report on, and draw-down federal funds for the CDBG, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA Programs.

  • Requesting and managing Requests for Funding from non-profit and governmental entities for CDBG funds.

    The CPD manages the annual Requests for Proposals and subsequent reports and reimbursement requests through Neighborly, a third-party software program. All applications, reports and requests must be submitted through neighborly.

  • Generating Grantee Activity Summary Reports

    DHCD submits this year-end report, generated through IDIS, annually to HUD. It summarizes program accomplishments and provides HUD and the public with activity descriptions, fund allocations, and expenditures, the total number of beneficiaries, etc.

  • Monitoring CDBG Fund Recipients

    DHCD is required to monitor and review the performance and activities being undertaken by organizations and city agencies that are recipients of CDBG funds. The primary focus of this review is to ensure activities are in compliance with CDBG Program requirements.

Department of Housing and Community Development
Consolidated Planning Division
417 E. Fayette Street
Room 1101
Baltimore, MD 21202
P: 410-396-3585