Support CDBG, Create Hometown Jobs

CDBG site in Stonewall, Oklahoma

For nearly four decades, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has served as a catalyst for financing housing, infrastructure, and economic development in America’s cities and towns. Any cut to this essential program will severely hamper local efforts to put people to work and spur local, regional, and national recovery.

The importance of CDBG grants to local economic recovery cannot be overstated, especially in fiscally challenging times.  When fully funded at $4 billion, 7,000 local governments—large and small, urban and rural—use these funds annually to address their own unique employment, housing, and neighborhood revitalization needs.  Though cuts to the CDBG program will have little real impact on reducing the federal budget deficit, they will slow and eliminate thousands of projects that leverage public and private funds into new jobs and developments of lasting worth to the community.

CDBG funding does not stay in city hall; in fact, it goes to local businesses, builders and contractors, and service providers who transform the neighborhoods in which they do business.  Every dollar of CDBG funding a city or town receives leverages an additional $1.62 in non-CDBG funding. Full funding for CDBG connects private sector growth to the revitalization of entire communities. 

Freeze, Don’t Cut

CDBG is a smart, long-term investment in our nation’s communities. Strong federal accountability measures and reporting requirements, coupled with significant public input, ensure that only the most essential local priorities are funded. At a time when many local governments struggle to keep budgets balanced, NLC joins with cities and towns across America to implore Congress and the Administration not to slash CDBG, but to maintain level funding for FY 2012.

Advocacy Agenda: Support CDBG, Create Hometown Jobs (PDF)

One-page issue brief containing NLC's legislative position on CDBG, message to Congress, and related CDBG facts.

CDBG Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

A list of FAQ provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on CDBG funding in the FY 2011 budget.

CDBG Gallery: Cities Share Stories, Photos

Cities and towns offer stories of local CDBG investments, examples of how the funds have been implemented and continue to make a real difference in communities across America.

CDBG in the Media

Articles reflecting the true impact that CDBG has made in cities and towns across the country, as well as the very real toll that impending cuts to the program will take in our nation's hometowns.

CDBG Letters

Letters sent by cities and towns across the country to NLC and members of Congress in support of full funding for the Community Development Block Grant.

CDBG Presentations

Presentations submitted by cities and towns featuring innovative projects made possible through CDBG funding.

Nation's Cities Weekly Articles

Articles related to the Community Development Block Grant have appeared in recent editions of Nation's Cities Weekly.

Reports and Briefs

Research published by NLC and colleague organizations related to CDBG.

CDBG Action Packet

NLC has developed a packet of materials and sample documents to help you to educate your members of Congress on the effectiveness of CDBG in your community.