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2000-2001 Report on Community Development Block GrantsAbout Community Development Block GrantsCommunity Development Block Grants The Community Development Block Grant Program provides over $4 billion in federal funds each year to Entitlement Cities (cities over 50,000 in population, central cities of metropolitan statistical areas, and urban counties - generally those counties with a population of 200,000 or more) and to states who distribute CDBG to smaller non-entitled cities, towns and counties. These funds are used by these units of general local government to carry out a wide range of community and economic development activities. Each assisted activity must meet one of three national objectives: either principally benefit low and moderate income persons; prevent or eliminate slums or blight; or meet an other urgent community development need which is a threat to public health or safety and for which other sources of funds are not available. Seventy percent of the funds expended by a recipient must be for activities that principally benefit low and moderate income persons. CDBG recipients have broad discretion to design, develop, and implement their own programs based upon local community needs. Recipients may carry out projects directly, by contract or through public and private organizations. Eligible activities, housing rehabilitation, public works and public facilities, public services and economic development. Also included is the removal of architectural barriers. The following are excerpts from the Code of Federal Regulations for the CDBG program describing the regulations for removal of architectural barriers: 24 CFR 570.201 (c) Public facilities and improvements....However, activities under this paragraph may be directed to the removal of material and architectural barriers that restrict the mobility and accessibility of older adults or disabled persons to public facilities and improvements... 24 CFR 570.202 (b) (11) Improvements designed to remove material and architectural barriers that restrict the mobility and accessibility of older adults or disabled persons to building and improvements eligible for assistance under paragraph (a) of this section [570.202 governing rehabilitation activities]. As previously discussed, Community Development Block Grant Funding is divided into two categories: (1) The Entitlement Program and (2) The Small Cities Program. The basic difference between the two programs is the population size of the community to be served by the project. (1) Entitlement Funds are distributed directly to cities that are central cities of metropolitan statistical areas, cities with populations 50,000 or more and urban counties with a population of 200,000 or more. A community's Entitlement grant amount is based on formulas which include the community':
(2) The State Administered small Cities Funds are administered by each state (except in the states of New York and Hawaii). States distribute CDBG funds to units of general local government that are not eligible for the Entitlement CDBG funds. See the complete list of the CDBG Project Managers in each state to contact concerning a particular state's CDBG program. To determine an organization's eligibility and to receive current application guidelines and procedures, you may contact your local city government Community Development Block Grant Coordinator (generally located in the city planning or development office) or your State CDBG Program Manager (see attached). Applications forms and procedures vary with each city and state. HUD maintains staff in 44 offices located throughout the country (attachment). Information may be obtained from the HUD Internet web site at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/cdbg.cfm or by calling 1.800.998.9999. For general information about the Community Development Block Grant Program, you may contact: Robert Duncan, Deputy Director National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal
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