Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federal program that provides flexible funding to states and local governments to support community development efforts that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income people. The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered at the state and local level.
Rather than distributing money directly to individuals, CDBG channels federal funds into locally run programs covering areas such as affordable housing, home repair, public services, small-business support, and neighborhood improvements. Residents of participating communities benefit through these locally designed and operated initiatives. Whether assistance provided to a resident takes the form of a grant or another type of help depends on how the local program is structured, and repayment terms vary accordingly.
Programs are run by official city and county agencies, and applying for resident assistance is free. Any service that charges a fee to access CDBG-funded help is considered a warning sign. Residents seeking assistance should contact their city or county community-development office directly, and additional information is available at hud.gov.
Avoid grant scams
Legitimate grants are free to apply for. Walk away from anyone who:
- guarantees you a grant, or says you were 'selected' for money you never applied for;
- charges an upfront 'processing', 'application', or 'grant kit' fee;
- asks for your bank-account or card number to 'deposit' a grant;
- pressures you to act immediately.
Verify any program directly at its official .gov site, and report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. More on our grant-scam awareness page.
Official sources: HUD — Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. This page is educational information, not financial or legal advice; grants are competitive and never guaranteed. See our sources & how-we-work policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for community development block grant (cdbg)?
Residents of participating communities benefit through locally run programs; activities primarily serve low- and moderate-income people. Open to women and men alike..
Does community development block grant (cdbg) have to be repaid?
This is varies by local program; assistance to residents is typically not repaid. Loans must be repaid, usually with interest.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applying for legitimate funding is free. Anyone charging a fee to 'get you a grant' is a scam — see our scam-awareness page.
How do I apply for community development block grant (cdbg)?
Contact your city or county community-development office; learn more at hud.gov.
More in Housing & basic needs
Not sure which funding fits?
Compare grants, scholarships, assistance, and loans side by side, or use the finder to narrow down by your situation.
Open the funding finder →