Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Agency is a member of the Nassau County Urban Consortium, which is made up of 34 municipalities including two cities, three towns and 29 villages. The Consortium is an “entitlement community” under federal law and its members are eligible for grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Community Development Block Grants enable entitlement community members like Rockville Centre carry out a wide range of community development activities that are directed toward improving community facilities and services, revitalizing neighborhoods, and increasing economic development.
In support of its mission and the needs of the local community, Community Development Agency plans, advocates for, and administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for:
- Improvements to eligible parks, public facilities and/or infrastructure.
- Programs and services that address the needs of senior citizens, youth and other low and moderate income persons.
- The removal architectural barriers for the handicapped.
Community Development Block Program Grant Eligibility
In order to be eligible for funding, every CDBG activity must meet one of the three national objectives of the Program:
- Funds must primarily benefit low or moderate income people.
- Funds must prevent or eliminate slums or blight.
- Funds may be used to address other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community and where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.
Community Development Block Grant Funding Requests
Each year, the Community Development Agency seeks funding requests which it reviews and evaluates along with the Community Development Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The Community Development Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s members are appointed by the Mayor. The recommendations of the Agency and the Advisory Committee are sent to the CDA Board for approval and an application to fund approved activities is submitted to Nassau County.
This process can take up to a year from the time planning begins to the time funding reaches the program. Funding requests are due to the Community Development Agency by January 31 of each year.
All interested parties are encouraged to speak with the Director of Community Development prior to submitting a funding request.