Community Development Block Grant Program

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered by the City of Naperville, Illinois, supports affordable housing, public services, and economic development for low- and moderate-income residents. With a focus on community needs, the program utilizes federal funding to address pressing local challenges. It promotes job creation and offers financial assistance to subrecipients. Annual meetings are held to align funding priorities, ensuring an effective response to community demands and enhancing quality of life for residents.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program. This federal program was developed to ensure decent affordable housing for all, provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, create jobs and expand business opportunities. CDBG is an important tool in helping local governments tackle the most serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people living in communities all across this nation.
The City of Naperville is an “entitlement community.” Entitlement communities develop their own programs and funding priorities. Each year, a maximum of 15% of the funds can be used for public services; a maximum of 20% can be used for grant administration; and 65% is used for public facilities, infrastructure improvements and housing programs, also called “direct benefit.” Organizations that are awarded funds are called “subrecipients.” In Naperville, approximately 10-15 subrecipients carry out the City’s goals and objectives for low- and moderate-income residents with CDBG funds.
The application cycle usually begins with an annual meeting in August/September to discuss the City’s priorities for the year.

Eligibility

CDBG funds may be used for activities that include, but are not limited to:

• Acquisition of real property;
• Relocation and demolition;
• Rehabilitation of residential and nonresidential structures;
• Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets and neighborhood centers;
• Public services, within certain limits;
• Activities related to energy conservation and renewable energy resources; and
• Provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities.

Ineligibility

Generally, the following types of activities are ineligible:

• Acquisition, construction or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government;
• Political activities;
• Certain income payments; and
• Construction of new housing by units of general local government.