Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Overview

• Inauguration Year: 1975
• Program Year: May 1 through April 30
• Applications: Due September 30 annually, but may be submitted throughout the year
• Participation: 60 of 65 municipalities

Program Information

The CDBG Program originated in 1974 as the result of a consolidation of several federal grant programs (Model Cities and Urban Renewal) under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Westmoreland County is designated as an Urban County by HUD and as such is considered to be an Entitlement Community that receives an annual grant allocation. In the past, the county has received an average of $4.5 to $5 million per year since 1975 to be used for eligible activities meeting the statutory requirements of the CDBG Program.

Allocation of Funds

Westmoreland County follows an allocation system similar to HUD’s which establishes a targeted amount of funds that could be available to the 59 municipalities that participate in the CDBG Program. This type of program was established with the goal of decentralizing decision-making to the local level based on the assumption that local officials and citizens are best able to determine local priorities.

The target amount can be assessed during a three year funding cycle in which applications may be submitted and projects can be initiated at any time. Every three years, the Community Development Division of the Planning Department meets with local officials to discuss the upcoming funding cycle, allocations, and program changes.

In addition to municipal allocations, the county allocates funds from its annual grant for county-wide activities such as emergency housing rehabilitation, transitional housing for homeless persons, and demolition of vacant, dilapidated structures.