Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation
Community and Rural Development

Community Development Block Grant

Program Overview - The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) has been serving Pima County since 1978. Since then, block grants from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have returned over $55 million of taxpayers’ funds to the county. HUD allocates funds to Pima County based characteristics of population, income and conditions of housing.

CDBG funds are used to revitalize lower income neighborhoods through housing rehabilitation, public facilities, infrastructure improvements and the provision of public services. The CDBG program has enriched lives by providing facilities and services where other financial resources were not available to meet neighborhood needs.

• Contact - Gloria Soto (520) 243-6751
• FY 2007/08 Proposals and Funded Projects

Program Eligibility -

Eligible Applicants include:

• Individuals and Neighborhood Associations
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Other Eligible Applicants: Fire Departments, Water Companies, Health Clinics

Target Areas - Target Areas (neighborhoods) are specific areas in Pima County that have been identified for community development assistance based on household income. To be eligible, the target area must have more than 51% of the households below 80% of the median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. CDBG program areas include:

Unincorporated Pima County	City of South Tucson
Town of Marana	Town of Sahuarita
Pima County Target Areas

Eligible Communities -

Ajo • Amado • Arivaca • Avra Valley • Catalina • Continental • Drexel Heights • Flowing Wells • Helmet Peak • Littletown • Picture Rocks • Rillito • Robles Junction • South Nogalas Highway Area • Vail • Valencia West • Why

Eligible Projects - Projects must meet the national objective of the program, which is to benefit low- and moderate-income persons. For an activity to meet the objective, it either must have:

• Income eligibility requirements that limit the benefits of that project to low- and moderate-income persons
• The project must be located in an area that is inhabited predominately by residents who are low and moderate-income.

Examples of projects eligible for CDBG funding include:

• Construction or Remodeling of Child Care Centers
• Construction or Remodeling of Community Centers
• Water and Sewer Systems
• Fire Protection Facilities and Equipment
• Senior Citizen Centers
• Parks and Playground improvements
• Street Lighting
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Modifications for elderly and handicap, for access and improvements to their homes
• Health clinics and medical equipment
• Public Services

Up to 15% of Pima County’s allotment for CDBG programs can be used for public services projects. Some examples are:

• Hot meals programs
• Preschool tuition aid
• After-school programs
• Crime prevention
• Housing counseling
• Health care programs

Funding Process - Proposal forms are usually available in mid-November from the Pima County Department of Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation.
• Public presentations are made to citizen groups from November to January in each target area.
• Proposals are usually due in early February.
• CDBG staff reviews proposals and prepare recommendations for funding.
• Funding recommendations are presented to the Pima County Administrator’s Office.
• Pima County Board of Supervisors finalizes funding decisions and adoption of the CDBG program, usually in early summer.
• Upon HUD approval, Pima County receives funding for projects on October 1.

CDBG funding is limited. Funding requests must be well planned and supported, demonstrating the financial and managerial feasibility of the project, and demonstrating the ability of meeting the goal of serving the needs of low to moderate-income individuals.