The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (“Department” or “DCA”) administers the State of Georgia’s annual federal allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for non-entitlement cities and counties. The rules and regulations of the CDBG Program are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As outlined in Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act, the primary goal of the CDBG Program is the development of viable communities, by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-incomes. “Low income” means income equal to or less than 50 percent of the area median income (adjusted by family size). “Moderate income” means income equal to or less than 80 percent of the area median income (adjusted by family size). Applicable income limits are determined by HUD on an annual basis.
In addition to the national program goals and objectives outlined by this Act, the State has designed its CDBG program to accomplish the following:
- Address State and community priorities;
- Ensure fairness in the treatment of all applications;
- Promote the development of affordable housing;
- Assist communities in preserving and developing basic infrastructure and public facilities; and
- Support economic development activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons through job training and job creation.
The State does not intend to impose any geographic restrictions in the method of distribution. State CDBG funds serve communities throughout the state, excluding Georgia’s entitlement communities that receive funds directly from HUD. Eligible applicants are units of general- purpose local government, excluding those cities and counties eligible to participate in the urban counties or metropolitan cities "CDBG Entitlement Program" of HUD.
