Grant Details

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides flexible funding to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities/services. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. All CDBG-funded activities must meet one of the following national objectives: (1) Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; (2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or (3) Meet certain community development needs having a particular urgency.

In Louisiana, CDBG funds may be utilized to address construction or renovation of various infrastructure projects such as water, wastewater and solid waste facilities, streets, and flood control projects; construction or improvements of a range of community facilities such as senior, health and social services centers; expansion of public services to serve low-income persons; creation of new jobs through small business loans or infrastructure improvements; and various affordable housing projects including home reconstruction, rehabilitation or repair programs. 

Proposals are accepted under the following program categories: 

• Public Facilities - The following activities are eligible under the current Louisiana CDBG program: sewer systems primarily involving collection lines, sewer systems involving collection and treatment, sewer treatment only, water systems addressing potable water, and new construction of graveled residential streets, rehabilitation, and/or reconstruction of residential streets.
• Economic Development - Project activities fund infrastructure improvements which will facilitate the location of a particular business. Examples include sewer, water, and street/road access on public property to the private industrial/business site boundaries.
• Louisiana Small Towns Environmental Program (LaSTEP) - Project activities support small communities in solving water and sewer problems through self-help techniques (i.e. volunteer labor). By reducing the project down to the absolute essentials and utilizing the community's resources (human, material and financial), project costs can be reduced significantly thereby creating an affordable solution. Eligible expenditures under LaSTEP include materials, engineering and inspection services, administrative costs.
• Demonstrated needs - Project activities include (1) Improvements to existing sewer systems involving collection and treatment, (2) Improvements to existing water systems addressing potable water, and (3) Improvements to existing gas systems.

For more information, see the LA Annual Action Plan for CDBG Funding at: https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/ocd-lga/lcdbg-programs/lcdbg-plans-and-reports/2020-2024/