FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 1, 2019) – The Department for Local Government (DLG) is now accepting applications for funding cycle 2019 grants through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
The CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development. It provides assistance to communities for use in revitalizing neighborhoods, expanding affordable housing and economic opportunities, providing infrastructure and improving community facilities and services.
“The Community Development Block Grant program is the largest of the federally funded programs administered by the Department for Local Government,” DLG Commissioner Sandra K. Dunahoo said. “Each year, CDBG funds are used to build important community spaces, create jobs and more. The impact of these investments cannot be understated.”
For the 2019 funding cycle, DLG expects to have approximately $22.5 million available for Kentucky public projects across six program areas.
Those program areas, along with their application windows, are as follows:
- Community Projects: These grants are used to support needed projects that small communities find difficult to fund on their own. Examples include volunteer fire departments, libraries, health centers food banks and senior centers. Applications are due by July 1, 2019.
- Public Facilities: These grants support water and sewer projects. Applications are due by July 1, 2019.
- Economic Development: These grants support projects that create jobs. Examples include equipment financing, land acquisition and site infrastructure. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2020.
- Public Services (Recovery Kentucky): These grants contribute to operating expenses at substance abuse recovery facilities across the Commonwealth. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2020.
- Housing: These grants are used to rehabilitate low-income properties and convert properties into senior or low-income housing. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2020.
- Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF): CERF funds are reserved for emergencies declared by the governor. If an emergency is declared, the commissioner of DLG has the authority to move funds from other program areas to address the Commonwealth’s needs.
Nine urban areas in Kentucky are provided a direct allocation from the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development and therefore are not eligible to apply for funding through DLG. Those areas are Louisville Metro, Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government, Ashland, Covington, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Henderson, Owensboro and Elizabethtown.
Communities interested in applying for funding through the CDBG program will be required to meet with DLG staff to discuss their projects. If you have questions or want to set up a meeting with a DLG staff member, call 800-346-5606.
About the Department for Local Government
CDBG funds are administered by DLG, an arm of the Office of the Governor dedicated to supporting local officials and communities. To learn more about CDBG and other grant opportunities available through DLG, visit dlg.ky.gov.
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