Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Montana's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federally-funded competitive grant program designed to help communities of less than 50,000 population with their greatest community development needs. The program was established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. All projects must principally benefit low and moderate income persons. The basic categories for local community development projects are: Economic Development, Housing, Public Facilities, and Planning Grants.
The Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) administers the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The MDOC Business Resources Division (841-2733) administers the Economic Development category. The Housing and Public Facilities categories are administered by the MDOC Community Development Division (841-2791).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
By federal law, eligible applicants are limited to general-purpose local governments: towns and cities under 50,000 population, and counties. (A separate CDBG program for Montana's Indian tribes is administered by HUD from Denver).
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Housing - CDBG funds can be used to finance the construction of new, affordable housing for low and moderate income persons, provide site improvements for housing, weatherization and energy conservation activities, and rehabilitation.
Public Facilities - Public facilities projects can include community facilities such as water, sewer, and solid waste. Projects can also include those designed to principally serve low and moderate income clientele including Head Start centers, mental health centers, centers for abused children, senior centers, and rural hospitals or nursing homes.
Planning Grants - Planning grants can be used for the preparation of plans, studies, analyses, or research for community growth policies, capital improvement plans, community needs assessments, income surveys, housing plans, and other types of planning documents.
