Community Development Block Grant

The Division of Community Development administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), one of the longest-running programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds are used to finance local community development activities such as affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development.

Consolidated Plan

As an "entitlement community," East Orange is required to prepare and submit a five-year "Consolidated Plan" that establishes goals for the use of CDBG funds and is also required to hold public meetings to solicit input from the community, ensuring that proposed projects are aligned with the community's most urgent needs.

Proposed Project Requirements

Proposed CDBG projects must be consistent with broad national priorities for CDBG: activities that benefit low - and moderate-income people, the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or other community development activities to address an urgent threat to health or safety.

CDBG funds may be used for community development activities, such as:

• Construction and maintenance of neighborhood centers
• Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as:
  
  • Sidewalks
  • Street paving
  • Water, sewer, and other utilities
• Conversion of school buildings
• Economic development and job creation/retention activities
• Public services
• Real estate acquisition
• Relocation, demolition, rehabilitation of housing and commercial buildings

CDBG funds can also be used for preservation and restoration of historic properties in low-income neighborhoods.