The City of Malden is seeking applications for its 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) people.
Donor Name: City of Malden
State: Massachusetts
City: Malden
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/16/2023
Details:
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal grant program that provides funding for cities to address the causes and consequences of poverty. CDBG funds can be used for home rehabilitation, social services for low- and moderate-income residents, affordable housing acquisition, and physical improvements to parks, public facilities, and infrastructure. All CDBG activities must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income people.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards CDBG grants annually to cities like Malden. The City’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) administers Malden’s CDBG program in accordance with CDBG laws and regulations.
Benefit to Low- and Moderate-Income People
Programs and projects funded by CDBG must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) people, defined as households earning 80% of the Area Median Income or less. CDBG activities can meet this requirement in different ways. For example, public services programs must document that at least 51% of clients served are LMI by collecting self-declaration of income forms. Park improvement projects, on the other hand, document LMI benefit by considering the income levels of the surrounding area using the LMI Area Map. HUD also presumes that certain populations are LMI, allowing programs designed specifically to serve these groups an easier path toward meeting the LMI requirement. These “presumed beneficiaries” include abused children, the elderly, domestic violence survivors, people who are homeless, adults with disabilities, adults who are illiterate, people with AIDS, and migrant farm workers. The LMI benefit is one of three National Objectives of the CDBG program. The other two National Objectives, which have to do with elimination of slum/ blight and urgent needs, are rarely used in the Malden CDBG program.
Eligible Activities
Federal laws and regulations governing the CDBG program are extensive. While many activities that meet the LMI requirement are eligible, others are not. Activities that generally cannot be funded using CDBG program funds include:
- Assistance for buildings or portions of buildings used for the general conduct of government.
- General local government operating and maintenance expenses. CDBG activities cannot supplant services or expenses currently paid for by local government.
- Partisan political purposes, including voter registration.
- Certain equipment purchases.
- Entertainment/refreshments – the cost of food, beverages, snacks and any related expenses for utensils, etc.
- Recipients or applicants should contact the Community Development Director with questions about CDBG eligibility.
For more information, visit City of Malden.
