MAYOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Proposed CDBG Project List – Program Year 2008

Janet Spry, Director
CONTACT US

MISSION

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program objectives are the development of viable urban communities through the provision of safe, decent housing, suitable living environments, and the expansion of economic opportunities targeted to low and moderate income persons. 

MOECD PROGRAMS

• Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

The primary objective of the CDBG Program is the development of viable communities, including decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income residents.

“CDBG” is an acronym for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program.  The CDBG program is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.  Its primary objective is the development of viable urban communities.  Viable communities are achieved by providing:

• A decent housing
• A suitable living environment; and
• Expanded economic opportunities, principally for low– and moderate-income people.
• The CDBG program grew out of eight programs:
• Open Space
• Urban Renewal
• Neighborhood Development Program grants
• Historic Preservation grants
• Model Cities supplemental grants
• Public Facilities loans
• Neighborhood Facilities grants
• Water and Sewer grants
• Eligible activities under the CDBG program include the following:
• Acquisition of real property
• Disposition of real property
• Public facilities and improvements
• Clearance, demolition of property
• Public services
• Loss of rental income
• Housing services
• Housing rehabilitation
• Code enforcement
• Historic preservation
• Special economic development
• Planning
• Fair housing

While all of these activities are eligible based on the HUD CDBG regulations, only the activities ranked “high” or “medium” in the city’s Consolidated Plan will be funded through the city’s CDBG program.  However, the city may write letters of support on behalf of agencies seeking funding from other sources for activities determined to have a “low” ranking.

In addition to being eligible, proposed activities must meet at least one national CDBG program objective:

• Benefit low– and moderate-income people;
• Eliminate or prevent slums or blight;
• Address urgent needs posing a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community.

Funds are awarded to non-profit organizations on a competitive basis.  An application must be completed and submitted to the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 12, 2007.  Please review the program Fact Sheet and newsletter for additional information.




2008 Common Grant Application (PDF Version)

2008 Common Grant Application (Word Version)

COC Fact Sheet

Newsletter



• Charleston Owner-Occupied Rehab Programs (CORP) Emergency Rehab - up to $3,500 grant
• Owner Rehab - up to $20,000 forgivable loan
• {50% and below income guidelines - forgivable loan}
• {51% to 80% income guidelines - 3% 10-year loan}

• HOME Program and HOME Blend Program (First Time Home Buyers) - both are designed to assist low-mod persons in becoming a homeowner. American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) – used in conjunction with the HOME programs to assist first-time homebuyers.

• Rebuilding Together - Annual one day event held in April. Local volunteers rehabilitate homes. Applications are available in months of October, November and December. Homeowner must be low moderate income and be located within the city of Charleston corporate limits.

• World Changers - This is a week long event held in July. Volunteers, 15-21 year olds, perform rehabilitation work. Volunteers are sponsored by Southern Baptist Association and come from throughout the US to Charleston. Homeowner must be low moderate income and be located within the corporate limits of the City of Charleston. Call MOECD for application availability.

• Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program - operational and supportive services to homeless providers in the City of Charleston.

CONSOLIDATED PLAN

Planning for Charleston’s Year 3 Action Plan that guides Community Development Block Grant, HOME Invest-ment Part­nership, American Dream Downpayment Initiative, and Emergency Shelter Grant funds begins on Thursday, October 12 at the Kanawha City Community Center. Addi­tional meetings will be held on October 17 (Roosevelt Neighborhood Center) and October 19 (North Charleston Community Cen-ter).  All meetings begin at 6:30 PM and are sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development (MOECD).

The meetings are being held to explain key components of each program and get the community’s ideas and concerns, which will be reflected in the 2007-2008 annual Action Plan, Year 3 of the Consolidated Plan.  For more information on the HUD formula programs, please consult the current newsletter: 2007-2008 Newsletter

All Charleston residents, especially the city’s low-income and public housing residents, as well as minority populations, are encouraged to attend at least one public meeting to share their views on the housing and community development needs of the city.

About $3 million is expected to be available to the city for eligible Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency Shelter Grant activities.

About $280,000 is expected to be available to non-profit organizations providing services to low– and moderate-income people.  The funds are awarded on a competitive basis and prospective applicants are urged to attend the Common Grant Application Workshop on October 27 from 9:00 AM until noon at the Charleston Civic Center to obtain a copy of the application form.  Space is limited and reservations are required.  Please call Ms. Christina Williams at the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation at 346-3620 to register.

The City of Charleston prepared its Consolidated Plan using the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Consolidated Plan Management Process Tool (CPMP).  This system breaks the Consolidated Plan into several different files. Links to these documents are provided below:

Strategic Plan
Action Plan - Year One
Appendix 1 - Thematic Maps
Appendix 2 - Public Meetings
Appendix 2 - Public Participation
Appendix 2 - Sign-in Sheets
Appendix 3 - Citizen Participation Plan
Appendix 4 - Req Tables
Appendix 5 - Housing Market Analysis Part A
Appendix 5 - Housing Market Analysis Part B
Appendix 6 - Resources
Appendix 7 - Public Housing
Appendix 8 - Homeless
Appendix 9 - Certification

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Ms. Janet Spry, CEcD, Director at Janet.Spry@CityofCharleston.org or by calling (304) 348-8035, extension 320.

FUNDING CYCLE
The City's CDBG program operates on the fiscal year, with new funding becoming available every July 1. During each program year, MOECD holds at least 3 public hearings (November, December and January) to receive input from citizens and non-profit organizations regarding its program and policies. Applications are due by the end of January for funds to be disbursed after July 1 of the same year. Amendments to the Block Grant budget are advertised in the local newspapers for 30 days prior to funding availability in order to receive citizen input. All recipients of the Block Grant program are required to sign an agreement with the City at the beginning of the funding cycle.

ALLOCATION

City of Charleston  501 Virginia Street, E. Charleston, WV 25301