Community Development Block Grant Program

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

The City of Fort Bragg is an active participant in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program provides funding for a variety of improvements in the areas of housing, community facilities and services, infrastructure, and economic development activities. The State CDBG program was established by the Federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 USC 5301, et seq.).

Objective

The primary objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. “Persons of low and moderate income” are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80% of the county median income, with adjustments for family or household size. More information about the CDBG program is available at the Grants and Funding page of the State Housing and Community Development website.

Funding

Each year, between January and March, the CDBG program releases one combined Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for both the Community Development and Economic Development Allocations, including Native American and Colonial Allocations. In addition, jurisdictions are eligible to apply for up to $3 million in funding from the Economic Development Over-the-Counter (OTC) allocation.

Income Limits

Direct services from CDBG-funded programs are usually limited to the low- and moderate-income population. To see current CDBG income limits by family size, review the State website. Select the most recent report date under “Income Limits for Both CDBG and HOME,” and in the Income Limit’s document, click on current or most recent year and scroll to the Mendocino County information.

Eligible Applicants

In California, only local governments are eligible to apply directly for CDBG funding. Fort Bragg is eligible to apply as a "non-entitlement" jurisdiction and competes for funding against other non-entitlement jurisdictions, which includes all California cities with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 250,000. Eligible jurisdictions may apply for various activities on behalf of non-profit entities. Applications may also be submitted for economic development activities on behalf of for-profit businesses. Program applications may include activities for which income-qualified individuals or households may apply to the city for funding. Jurisdictions that are awarded grants enter into contracts with the State to complete the specified activities with the grant funds. Most applications for CDBG funding are generally highly competitive, and successful applicants must meet or exceed established criteria to be awarded.

Announcements

NEW Loan Program Overview
Understand the available CDBG business assistance programs for Fort Bragg businesses.

CDBG Fact Sheet
Understand the CDBG Program as it applies to the City of Fort Bragg.

Please Provide Input for New Grant Activities
Each year, the City is required to hold a Design Phase Public Hearing in order to apply for future CDBG funds. The purpose of the public hearing is to explain how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program works; to let the public know about upcoming opportunities for funding, and to solicit ideas from the community about needs and future grant activities. Representatives of non-profit organizations that serve the low income population in Fort Bragg city limits are encouraged to attend the Design Phase meeting to see if CDBG funding can benefit your non-profit organization. Representatives of expanding for-profit businesses that need funds to keep or increase jobs are also welcome to attend. If you have questions or ideas about future grant activities or if you want more information about the next Design Phase Public Hearing, please email Natalie McLaughlin.

If you have an idea for a CDBG activity, please complete the CDBG Preliminary Request for Assistance. Please bring this completed form to the next Design Phase Public Hearing or email Natalie McLaughlin to discuss next steps.

Please see below for Design Phase Archive of Minutes, Agendas and Public Hearing Notices.

Status of 2017 CDBG Grant Application
In July 2018, the City was notified that the $3 million 2017 CDBG application was awarded. The grant activities applied for include $3M to assist Parents and Friends Inc., with the construction of three residential units consisting of 4-bedrooms and 3-bathrooms each. Each home will provide support to 4 extremely-low-income, developmentally disabled adults who are living with age-related disabilities, providing services to a total of 12 individuals at any given time. The project is known as the Cypress Street Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Project. The Cypress Street RCFE Project is underway and will be completed by July 2021.

Status of 2016 CDBG Grant Application
In October 2016, the City was notified that the $2 million 2016 CDBG application was awarded. The grant activities applied for include $233,000 for Microenterprise Assistance, $167,000 for a Business Loan Program, $1.5 million for a City water tank, and $100,000 for two planning studies (GP Mill Site Specific Plan and Economic Development Planning). All 2016 CDBG grant activities were completed by September 2019.

Status of 2014 CDBG Grant Award
In October 2014, the City of Fort Bragg was notified of the award of $2 million from the 2014 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. The $2 million award is funding several activities, including $250,000 to continue the Microenterprise Assistance Program; $1,250,000 to acquire and rehabilitate a homeless and mental health services facility; $230,000 for a home energy and water efficiency assistance program; $70,000 for a water bill assistance program; and $200,000 for a community garden, training and employment program for homeless individuals. All 2014 activities were completed by October 31, 2017. For more information about the acquisition of the Old Coast Hotel for homeless and mental health services, please see the Homeless Services Facility.