The City of El Centro is seeking applications for the 201 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The primary purpose of the program is to improve communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, primarily for low and moderate-income people.  The eligible activities include housing assistance, public improvements and facilities, public services, and economic development. 

Objectives

The CDBG program's primary objective is the development of viable urban communities. This is accomplished by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income. To be eligible for funding, all projects must meet one of the following National Objectives:

• Benefit low- and moderate-income persons
• Prevent or eliminate slums or blight, or
• Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other resources are not available to meet such needs.

Eligible Activities

The program allows jurisdictions to select those activities that best meet the needs of their communities, in accordance with the national objectives and requirements of the CDBG Program. The following is a partial list of eligible activities:

Housing Activities

• Rehabilitation and Acquisition for Rehabilitation
• Homebuyer Assistance
• Reconstruction

Public Facilities

• Street Improvements
• Water or sewer lines
• Community centers
• Parks and playgrounds
• Facilities designed to provide shelter for persons with special needs

Public Service (With Certain Limits)

Public Service providers connected with:

• Employment
• Crime prevention
• Child care
• Health
• Education

Or whose clientele consists of:

• Abused children
• Battered spouses
• elderly persons
• “Severely Disabled” adults
• Homeless Persons
• Illiterate Adults
• Persons living with AIDS
• Migrant Farm Workers

Economic Development

• Micro enterprise assistance
• Special economic development activities
• Commercial Rehabilitation

For more information, visit City of El Centro.