Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

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The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was initiated by Congress in 1974 as part of the Housing and Community Development Act. The program is funded directly by the United States Congress and is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The three primary national objectives are:

Benefit those with low and moderate-incomes
Aid in the prevention of neighborhood deterioration
Meet other urgent community development needs due to natural disasters or other emergencies

CDBG funds can be used for a wide variety of programs, services and facilities improvements. This means funding for a broad array of community needs, including but not limited to:

Street and sewer improvements
Disabled (ADA) accessibility improvements
Homeless prevention and domestic violence programs
Community and senior services
Fair housing enforcement and landlord/tenant mediation
Housing programs
Economic Development programs
Section 108 loan repayment
Emergency disaster recovery

According to the Federal regulations, the City of Newport Beach is allowed to spend no more than of 20% of CDBG funding on program administration, and 15% on community services such as senior meal delivery or homeless prevention programs. The remaining amount must be used other eligible projects that meet national objectives that principally benefit low- and moderate-income households or the disabled.

HUD requires Newport Beach to complete a Five-Year Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) to receive HUD's formula grant programs. The Con Plan identifies the City's 5-year strategies related to priority needs in housing, homelessness, community development, and economic development. It also identifies short- and long-term goals and objectives, strategies, and timetables for achieving its goals. Developed with the input of citizens and community groups, the Con Plan serves four basic functions:

It is a planning document for the community built upon public participation and input.
It is the application for funds under the CDBG Program.
It articulates local priorities.
It is a five-year strategy the City will follow in implementing HUD programs.

Additionally, HUD requires the City to prepare a One-Year Action Plan for each of the five years covered by the Con Plan. The City Newport Beach only receives funds pursuant to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, so the City's plans only address CDBG funds and not other HUD formula grants. A one-year Action Plan identifies programs, projects and CDBG funding levels undertaken during any given year.

Receiving CDBG finds requires the City to take steps to affirmatively further fair housing choice. The City examines impediments to fair housing and seeks to address unlawful discrimination with regards to housing. The City contracts with the Fair Housing Foundation who in turn provides fair housing services to tenants, realtors, apartment owners and managers, lending institutions and other interested parties within the City free of charge. If you feel that you have been discriminated against related to housing or you are having issues with your tenant or landlord, please contact the Fair Housing Foundation at (562) 989-1206 or online at www.fairhousingfoundation.com.

Additional program information or fair housing information can be found at the US Department of Housing and Community Development website: http://www.hud.gov/.

If you have questions about the City's CDBG program, please contact:

Lauren Wooding Whitlinger, Real Property Administrator, Community Development
949-644-3236
Email: lwooding @newportbeachca.gov

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