CDBG Program Planning

CDBG Action and Consolidated Plans

Each year, the City of Northampton receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CDBG funds must be awarded primarily to projects, programs, and services that improve the lives of the city’s low- and moderate-income residents (individuals or families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income as determined by HUD) and to urgent needs (i.e. COVID-19). A CDBG-funded activity must provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing; provide a suitable living environment, or expand economic opportunities.  (See CDBG-Eligible Census Blocks Map for areas that are majority low- and moderate-income.)

CDBG Planning Process

The City is required to submit its Annual Action Plan to HUD which includes: a citizen participation plan, a description of local service providers, City departments consulted for the plan, identification of the City’s priority housing, economic, and community needs, and a list of activities (the plan) to address the identified needs.  

Every five years, the City submits its Five Year Consolidated Plan, a strategic plan of the priority community development needs that will be addressed using CDBG funds over the next five years. It includes a housing and homelessness needs assessment and a housing market analysis. Activities undertaken in an Annual Action Plan must address the consolidated plan’s priority needs.

At the end of each program year, the City completes an annual CDBG Grant Performance Report.