City to Host Informational Meeting for CDBG Grant Applicants

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department will host an informational meeting on applying for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) on Tuesday, October 29 at 9:00 a.m. and again at 5:00 p.m. in the McCloskey Room at City Hall (401 N. Morton St.).  New applicants to the CDBG program are required to attend one of the sessions, but all prospective applicants for funding during the fiscal year 2020 grant cycle are welcome. 

Prior to the October 29 informational meeting, interested applicants must submit mandatory letters of intent to HAND by Friday, October 18 at 4:00 p.m. Nonprofit organizations and public entities may apply. Letters can be submitted electronically to HAND at hand@bloomington.in.gov, faxed, mailed, or delivered in person.  Submission shall be dated by the time of receipt.  More information on what is required in these letters is available here.  

Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG entitlement program allocates annual federal grants to larger cities and urban counties to enhance communities’ viability through housing, quality of life and infrastructure improvements, and the expansion of economic opportunities, principally for low-income and moderate-income families.  

The City of Bloomington distributes its CDBG grant funding along Social Service and Physical Improvement streams, both of which will be addressed at the meeting. An early adopter of the CDBG program, Bloomington has accomplished significant improvements using these federal funds since the 1970s.  Over the years, the City has leveraged the program to build Rockport Road, finance Broadview Park, rehabilitate the Community Kitchen, construct a side path along Rogers Road, and erect the bridge over Country Club Road, among many other infrastructure improvements.  Just since 2000, the City has invested approximately $3 million of this funding in City housing programs, directly benefiting residents through owner-occupied restorations, home modifications for accessible living, and emergency home repairs.  

"HAND once again is excited to collaborate with our community partners in this next round of CDBG funding to better meet Bloomington's priority needs, particularly for those of our neighbors experiencing economic distress," said HAND Assistant Director Eric Sader.

Opportunity for direct resident participation in the grant process exists through volunteering on the CDBG Funding Citizens Advisory Committee.   Prospective volunteers may apply for a seat on this committee at this link.