Community Development Block Grants

by Brandon Jenson

A variety of funding opportunities to help strengthen Missouri communities are available through the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). Encouraging growth by supporting businesses, industries and communities, including assistance in developing a talented and skilled workforce, DED offers grant dollars in several different departments as part of the overall initiative to help Missourians prosper. One of these is through Community Development Block Grants.

What Are Community Development Block Grants?

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of the areas where cities and counties can apply for assistance to help address local health and safety concerns, economic development infrastructure projects, water/wastewater enhancements and repair, public facility improvement, disaster recovery and more.

Established by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the CDBG program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributed by DED to non-entitlement cities and counties (under 50,000 population in cities/under 200,000 population in counties). To receive a CDBG grant, the activity proposed must meet one of three national objectives: 1. Benefit low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons. 2. Aid in prevention of slum and blight. 3. Meet an urgent need. What Is The Consolidated Plan?

Currently, the Missouri CDBG program is in the process of being rebuilt in conjunction with the writing of the 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan that is a required document as part of the planning process for states to receive the funding.

Like the cities and counties that receive the funding from the states, states have to meet several requirements to receive the funds for distribution. First and foremost, the consolidated plan must be written every five years, outlining how the program will operate over the duration of that time.

While each state is allowed to build their own program, there are statutory and regulatory parameters HUD requires to be outlined in the consolidated plan. This includes deciding how the funding will be distributed (method of distribution), setting priorities for funding categories, and identifying the anticipated outcomes of the funding investments. States are also responsible for establishing financial management and developing processes for record keeping, reporting, monitoring auditing and closeout systems for their program, and they must ensure grant recipients remain compliant through the process. All of this must be included in the consolidated plan and the plan must be approved by HUD before funds will be dispersed.

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What Is The Consolidated Plan Process?

The current CDBG program is operating under the 2017-2022 Consolidated Plan. Preparations for the 2023-2027 plan began in August 2022, beginning with stakeholder meetings. Stakeholders included other state of Missouri departments that are a part of the full, overall consolidated plan submitted to HUD. These agencies include: • Missouri Housing Development Commission that operates the HOME, Emergency Solutions Grant and National Housing Trust Fund programs; • Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that operates the Housing Opportunities for Person with Aids Program.

Monthly meetings are held with these partners throughout the planning process, though each of the departments also hold their own individual meetings and public engagements.

For the 2023-2027 CDBG program, public engagements began in September in four different areas across the state, educating participants, mostly representatives of cities, counties and regional planning commissions. These meetings provide education about the current activities the CDBG program can fund and the options available for the selection and implementation process. This year, DED decided to start the planning process from scratch in efforts to better shape the program to better address communities and their needs.

Since the September public engagement meetings were held, a survey was put together and posted on the DED website. The survey that closed on Nov. 11, 2022, sought input on where communities would like to see the funds distributed and how projects were awarded.

Attending one of the upcoming public engagement sessions is the best way to provide additional feedback. Contact Debbie Feeback, chief development officer at debbie.feeback@ded.mo.gov or Brandon Jenson, program manager, at brandon.jenson@ded. mo.gov to provide comment or with questions about the CDBG program or planning process.

Two application categories are being rebuilt for the next five years based on public feedback: Industrial Infrastructure and Downtown Revitalization. The recent survey data indicates industrial infrastructure, economic development, public facilities and housing rehabilitation are top priorities for many cities and counties. After the survey, DED hosted a second round of public engagements, sharing the data from the survey, to show a summary of how the future program may be aligned. A draft consolidated plan will be prepared, compiling all partner agencies’ information, and then posted on the website for a 30day public comment period. This is tentatively planned for February 2023. Any comments received will be considered, discussed with partner agencies, and a final draft document will be submitted to HUD by March 31, 2023.

If a city or county would like to provide additional input, there is still time! Attending one of the upcoming public engagement sessions is the best way to provide additional feedback. Contact Debbie Feeback, chief development officer at debbie.feeback@ded.mo.gov or Brandon Jenson, program manager, at brandon.jenson@ded.mo.gov to provide comment or with questions about the CDBG program or planning process.

Brandon Jenson, AICP, is the program manager for the state of Missouri's Community Development Block Grant program. He previously served as the chief community engagement and planning officer. His work includes ensuring compliance across all CDBG funding streams as well as internal and external engagement opportunities to highlight the successes and opportunities offered by the program.

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