Counties recognize and celebrate HUD CDBG 50 year anniversary

Key Takeaways

On June 3, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) held a celebration event to kick off the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. During the event, Baltimore County, Md. Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski and NACo CEO/Executive Director Matthew Chase both provided remarks on the importance of CDBG and the county role in administering the program.

Why is CDBG important to counties?

• CDBG is the leading federal investment in community-based initiatives, enabling counties to identify and address priority needs across housing, infrastructure, public services and economic development
• The program stimulates economic growth, through the expansion of economic activity and job creation, by leveraging over $5 of additional investments for every $1 of CDBG funding
• CDBG funds can be used to acquire, rehabilitate or construct (with limitations) affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households, which counties often leverage with other federal, state and local funding streams

What’s next for CDBG?

• This March, NACo and the National Association of County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) submitted joint comments on the CDBG proposed rule, emphasizing the county role in safeguarding access to safe and affordable housing, and the need for more flexibility, and more. HUD’s final rule is expected to be released later this year
• As Congress continues to draft and debate CDBG reauthorization legislation, NACo is advocating for increasing the public services cap, expanding the eligible use flexibility, permanently authorizing the CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and updating the authorization level to meet the current demands of the program and better align with the original 1974 authorization level  
• Counties are encouraged to utilize the CDBG Coalition’s 50th Anniversary Advocacy Toolkit and urge their Members of Congress to support at least $4.2 billion in funding for CDBG in the FY 2025 appropriations process