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Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Programs | | |
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
*In order to view the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan, the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, the 2010 Action Plan, and the Citizen Participation Plan, please click on the PLANS AND REPORTS link above.
Public Facilities & Improvements and Public Service General Information
Each year, the Pierce County Urban Consortium receives approximately $2.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to assist lower-income people, households and communities.
The rules and regulations governing the activites of Community Development programs are broken down into the following categories:
- Laws as enacted by Congress
- Regulations (24 CFR part 570) created by HUD to achieve the result prescribed by the laws
- Policy Memoranda that address specific instances and questions
- Notices are available for guidance
County government administers the program for the consortium. Applications for funding are reviewd by the Citizens' Advisory Board (CAB) comprised of County, city and town elected representatives and volunteers from throughout the county.
Funds assist social services and infrastructure improvements to benefit residents of the Pierce County Consortium, which consists of 19 cities and towns, excluding the cities of Tacoma, Lakewood, and Auburn which operate their own CDBG programs. The 2011 Consortium members:
- City of Bonney Lake
- City of Buckley
- Town of Carbonado
- City of DuPont
- City of Eatonville
- City of Edgewood
- Town of Fife
- City of Fircrest
- City of Gig Harbor
- City of Milton
- City of Orting
- City of Puyallup
- City of Roy
- Town of Ruston
- Town of South Prairie
- City of Sumner
- Town of Steilacoom
- City of University Place
- Town of Wilkeson
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Eligibility
Applications may be submitted by cities, towns, community organizations, non-profit social service providers, service clubs, for-profit businesses, and individuals capable of implementing an approved activity.
Activities must meet the National Objective of 'benefiting low-moderate income persons', which is defined in three ways:
- Low-income eligibility (income eligible) is defined annually by HUD based on family income projected from the latest census. New figures are received annually, usually by February. Income elibigibility as defined by HUD. All people and households whose income categories are listed as low-mod, low, or very low are eligible for CDBG assistance based on related family size.
- Certain classes of individuals are presumed to be low-income (presumed benefit) and eligible for CDBG assistance as a group (not as individuals) if they are in one of the following categories: seniors; severely disabled adults; homeless; battered spouses; abused/neglected children and youth; illiterate adults; migrant farm workers, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, HUD has indicated that persons who use food banks or meals programs may be presumed to be eligible low-income clients.
- Lower-income communities (area benefit) include those cities, towns, communities or specific areas (regardless of size) where more than 51 percent of households have an income that is less than the county median income based on most recent census data.
Please contact Stephanie Bray for information on applying under 'Area Benefit'.
Once an activity is determined to meet a National Objective, it must meet one of several eligible activity classifications including a variety of facility, infrastructure, housing, and public service classifications and a number of other classifications. Contact division staff if you have a question about project eligibility.
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EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT GENERAL INFORMATION
The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009, consolidates three of the separate homeless assistance programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into a single grant program, and revises the Emergency Shelter Grants program and renames it as the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program. The HEARTH Act also codifies into law the Continuum of Care planning process, a longstanding part of HUD's application process to assist homeless persons by providing greater coordination in responding to their needs.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program conducts an annual competitive funding process during which applicants may submit requests for funding of eligible activities in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). The NOFAs or Applications are split into two main types of activities, Public Services and Public Facilities.
PUBLIC SERVICES | CDBG Public Services/ESG Program funding is for eligible activities that provide services to low- and moderate-income residents of the Pierce County Consortium and includes services such as emergency shelters, food banks, senior center programs, legal services, etc. The application period for CDBG Public Services/ESG funding is now closed. Applications were due December 21, 2011 for the contract period of July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013 which may be extended through June 2014 based on funding and performance. The next NOFA/application will be available in the fall of 2013. Contact Caroline Belleci with questions at (253) 798-3570 or cbellec@co.pierce.wa.us.
PUBLIC FACILITIES | CDBG Public Facilities Program funding is for eligible activities that provide housing, capital improvements, community facilities, and economic development to improve living conditions in lower income areas. Eligible activities may include acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of public facilities and improvements. The application period for CDBG Public Facilities funding is now closed. Applications were due December 21, 2011 for a one-year funding period (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013). The next NOFA/application will be available in the fall of 2012. Contact Caroline Belleci with questions at (253) 798-3570 or cbellec@co.pierce.wa.us.
Resources:
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD (CAB)
The Citizens' Advisory Board is an advisory body that reviews funding applications for both the Community Development and Community Action divisions of the Department of Community Connections. The CAB is comprised of elected representatives of cities and towns and a number of volunteers from throughout the county. Members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council for three-year terms.
- CAB Schedule 2011-12 Note: Presentations scheduled for January 18th have been canceled due to weather and rescheduled for January 25th at the same time.
Interested in serving on the CAB? Please complete a CAB Membership Application.
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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND FORMS
Those who receive a contract award become responsible for certain contract obligations. In the Public Services Area, they might include routine reports and reimbursement requests. In the Physical Improvement Area, they could be forms and certifications related to construction projects. Routine forms are available on the Reporting Requirements and Forms page.
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