Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides funding for community and economic development projects in order to encourage additional federal, state and private resource investment. Communities receiving CDBG funds use the grants to provide safe and sanitary housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) administers the CDBG program for most of the state. Due to population size, some cities in Nebraska are the administrators of the CDBG program in their communities. DED receives federal funds for CDBG from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on an annual basis.
The Proposed 2022 Annual Action Plan is under public comment from April 20 – May 20, 2022. This includes the proposed 2022 CDBG Application Guidelines. Submit public comments to ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov. The Department is also hosting an in-person/virtual public hearing on May 10th.
Funding & Deadlines
Program Resources
LMI
Data
Additional Resources
Communities can apply to use those funds for the planning and construction of projects that:
- Benefit low and moderate-income persons.
- Prevent or eliminate slum or blight conditions.
- Solve catastrophic health and safety threats.
Is my community eligible?
Every Nebraska county or incorporated municipality not designated as a CDBG Entitlement Community is eligible to apply for funding through DED. The CDBG Entitlement Communities of Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue and Grand Island administer the program in their own areas. Based on the category of CDBG funding requested, general rules regarding eligibility can differ; refer to the CDBG Application Guidelines for more detailed information on eligibility.
How can my community apply?
If an applicant’s project addresses a CDBG national objective and meets other eligibility requirements, a completed application for the appropriate funding opportunity is submitted to DED by a deadline. Applicants submit their proposals via an application portal. Once the application portal becomes available, links to each open funding opportunity will be listed below. Typically, successful applicants complete their project within 24 months of an award.
CDBG Funding Opportunities & Application Deadlines
Downtown Revitalization
Involves revitalization efforts located within the downtown business district, including street, sewer and water systems; historic restoration; removal of architectural barriers; and/or loans to business for façade improvements, signage and/or to meet community codes.
Economic Development
Loans to businesses or infrastructure construction projects undertaken for economic development purposes.
Application Deadlines: Open Cycle, begins July 1
Planning
Supports project-related studies, data collection, paths to implementation, and the preparation of plans, such as housing studies, comprehensive plans, downtown revitalization plans and historic preservation studies.
Application Deadlines:
Public Works
Sewer and water systems, streets, sidewalks, fire stations & trucks, non-profit daycare centers, senior centers, community centers, libraries, tornado shelters, removal of architectural barriers, parks and other public infrastructure.
Application Deadlines:
Tourism Development
Historic restorations; scientific and educational interpretive sites; cultural and heritage recreational sites/facilities; removal of architectural barriers that restrict mobility and accessibility to sites/facilities. Funding is for tourist attractions expected to draw 2,500 visits annually.
Application Deadlines: Open Cycle, begins July 1
Youth Job Training
In collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Labor and the Nebraska Jobs of America’s Graduates (JAG) Program, the Department makes funding available to further expand available employment and education opportunities for at-risk youth.
Application Deadlines: Open Cycle, begins July 1
Owner Occupied Rehabilitation
Supports the rehabilitation of residential owner-occupied homes.
Application Deadlines:
Program Resources
AmpliFund
Plans and Reports
- National Objectives
- Application Guidelines
- Grant Administration
- Technical Assistance
- Forms and Templates
- CDBG Coronavirus (CDBG-CV)
In order to be eligible for CDBG funds, the project must meet a national objective. For more information, review Guide to National Objectives and Eligible Activities for State CDBG Programs.
Benefit Low and Moderate Income Persons
- Area Benefit: Benefits are available to all the residents in a particular service area, where at least 51% of the residents are LMI persons. There are two ways to qualify for this:
- ACS (American Community Survey) 5-Year Low-and Moderate-Income Summary Data: If the listed community/county has a low- and moderate-income percentage over 51%, that community/county is eligible to apply.
- If your community/county does not have a percentage over 51%, an income survey may be conducted.
- CPD-14-013: Guidelines for Conducting Income Surveys to Determine the Percentage of Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Persons in the Service Area of a CDBG Funded Activity.
- CPD-19-02: Low-and Moderate-Income Summary Data Updates
- Limited Clientele: A Limited Clientele activity benefits a specific group of people (rather than all the residents in a particular area), at least 51% of whom are LMI persons.
- Housing: Income based, the resident that will benefit from the housing activity must be a LMI person.
- Jobs: Created/retained jobs, of which 51% or more are provided to LMI persons.
Aid in the Prevention or Elimination of Slums or Blight: Focuses on activities that create a change to the physical environment of a deteriorating area. There are two ways to qualify for this national objective. The applicant community must officially designate the project’s target area.
- Area Basis
- Spot Basis
Urgent Need: Use of this national objective category is extremely rare. It is designed only for activities that alleviate emergency conditions. Consult with a program representative.
2021 CDBG Application Guidelines
2021 CDBG Application Guidelines (06/14/2021)
Proposed 2022 CDBG Application Guidelines
Proposed 2022 CDBG Application Guidelines (Under Public Comment: April 20 – May 20, 2022)
Exhibit Guidance and Templates
| Title | File Type | Date Uploaded |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibit A | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit B | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit C1 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit C2 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit D | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit E1-E2 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit E3 | January 25, 2022 | |
| Exhibit E4 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit K1a | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit K1b | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit K2 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit N | January 25, 2022 | |
| Exhibit O1 | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit P | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Exhibit R | Word | January 25, 2022 |
CDBG 2021 Application Webinar Series
Webinar 1: CDBG 2021 Funding Opportunities, Deadlines, and Criteria
Webinar 2: CDBG 2021 Application Exhibits
Webinar 3: CDBG 2021 AmpliFund Application Walkthrough
2020 CDBG Application Guidelines
2020 Application Guidelines Proposed (October 2020)
To help grantees administer their grants, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development created the Nebraska Community Development Block Grant Administration Manual. This manual contains all of the guidelines essential for carrying out a successful Nebraska CDBG project and is available for download by chapter. The Department will notify the public of any new requirements through the issuance of a Policy Memo upon receipt of additional clarification.
List of Certified CDBG Grant Administrators
Upcoming Training for Grant Administrators
CDBG Administration Manual
CDBG Policy Memos
CDBG Full Certification
- Webinar 1: National Objectives – Recording
- Webinar 2: Procurement – Recording
- Webinar 3: Program Guidelines – Recording
- Webinar 4: Environmental Review – Recording
- Webinar 5: Financial & Program Income – Recording
- Webinar 6: Labor Standards – Recording
- Webinar 7: Reporting – Recording
Environmental Review
- Historical Preservation, Section 106 Webex (January 2020) – PowerPoint | Recording
- Floodplain Management (February 2021) – PowerPoint | Recording
- Environmental Review Record Reference Guide (July 2021) – PDF
Contract Special Conditions Forms & Templates
| Title | File Type | Date Uploaded |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization to Request Funds Template | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| CDBG Grantee Information Sheet | January 25, 2022 | |
| DED Rehab Standards | January 25, 2022 | |
| Excessive Force Certification Template | January 25, 2022 | |
| Financial Management Certification | Word | January 25, 2022 |
| Four Factor Analysis and Language Assistance Plan Template | January 25, 2022 | |
| Procurement Standards and Code of Conduct Template | January 25, 2022 | |
| Project Implementation Schedule Template | January 25, 2022 |
Performance of CDBG Contract Forms & Templates
| Title | File Type | Date Uploaded |
|---|---|---|
| CDBG Request for Funds | Word | February 24, 2022 |
| CDBG Request for Funds | February 24, 2022 | |
| Certification of Continued Environmental Compliance | January 25, 2022 | |
| Contract Amendment Request Form | January 25, 2022 | |
| Additional Classification and Rate Request Form | January 25, 2022 | |
| Pre-Construction Conference Template | January 25, 2022 | |
| Contract Award Notice (LSE 7) Form | January 25, 2022 | |
| Section Sample Certification Form – Residents | January 25, 2022 | |
| Section Sample Certification Form – Businesses | January 25, 2022 | |
| Monitoring Onsite Checklist | January 25, 2022 | |
| Monitoring, Program Income Revolving Loan Fund (Economic Development) | Word | January 25, 2022 |
Reporting Forms & Templates
What is CDBG-CV Funding?
DED will administer multiple allocations of federal Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to assist in community-level recovery, prevention, and preparation efforts relating to the coronavirus.
This funding was allocated to the State by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136). The CARES Act created supplemental CDBG funding in 2020. The CARES Act identified the CDBG coronavirus response (CDBG-CV) funds to be made available through the CDBG program.
All CDBG-CV funds must be expended by June 2023. For more information, reference the Federal Register, FR-6218-N-01.
Usage of the first allocation of funds include availability of funding to units of local government (UGLG) for public services (e.g., meals on wheels programs, employment training, assistance to food banks, health services, etc.), public facilities and infrastructure, and direct assistance to businesses that provide essential goods and services. UGLGs may apply for funding through the CDBG Emergent Threat funding opportunity.
The second allocation, currently under development, may involve unrelated activities, and information will be released by DED at a later date.
A third allocation is anticipated to be distributed by HUD to states and units of local government on a rolling basis, at the discretion of the HUD Secretary, with formula factors to be defined by HUD. It is uncertain whether the State of Nebraska will receive a portion of this allocation.
What Can the Funding be Used For?
CDBG-CV funding is reserved for use in preventing, preparing for, and/or responding to the outbreak of coronavirus in Nebraska. As with all CDBG program dollars, funding must also primarily address the unique needs of low- and moderate-income persons (i.e., persons with less than 80% area median income).
Importantly, the CARES Act requires compliance with Stafford Act, i.e., funding is subject to the Duplication of Benefits (DOB) test. And, to the greatest extent feasible, CDBG funds are to be used as gap financing; this implies that other local, state, and federal funds will be invested in the project. Duplication of benefits is not allowable.
What is a Duplication of Benefit?
Federal disaster law prohibits the provision of federal assistance in excess of need. A duplication of benefit (DOB) is the receipt of funding from multiple sources for the same purpose. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act (Stafford Act) prohibits any person, business concern or other entity from receiving financial assistance from CDBG-CV funding with respect to any part of the loss resulting from a major disaster as to which he/she has already received financial assistance under any other program or from insurance or any other sources. It is an amount determined by the program that may result in the reduction of an award value or require repayment of grant funds disbursed.
- HUD Exchange, CDBG-CV Program Page, https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg-cv/
- HUD Exchange, CDBG Covid-19 Resource Page, hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg/disease
- HUD Exchange, CDBG-CV Federal Register (FR-6218-N-01), hudexchange.info/resource/6113/fr-6218-n-01-notice-of-program-rules-waivers-alt-requirements-under-cares-act-cdbg/
- HUD Exchange, Notice CPD 20-07: Guidance on Conducting Environmental Reviews Pursuant to 24 CFR 58 for Activities Undertaken in Response to the Public Health Emergency as a Result of COVID-19, www.hudexchange.info/resource/6112/notice-cpd2007-guidance-on-conducting-environmental-review-pursuant-to-24-cfr-58-for-activities-undertaken-in-response-to-covid19/
- HUD Exchange, State CDBG-CV Implementation Quick Guide, https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6316/state-cdbg-cv-implementation-quick-guide/
Environmental Review Record Forms by Level of Review
Exempt
| Title | File Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24 CFR 58.6 – Other Requirements | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Determination of Level of Review | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Environmental Review Cover Sheet | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Finding of Exempt Activity | December 14, 2021 |
Categorically Excluded Not Subject To (CENST)
| Title | File Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24 CFR 58.6 – Other Requirements | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Determination of Level of Review | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Environmental Review Cover Sheet | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Finding of CENST Activity Form | December 14, 2021 |
Categorically Excluded Subject To (CEST)
| Title | File Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24 CFR 58.6 – Other Requirements | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| 8 Step Process for Compliance with Floodplain Management Form | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Certification of Continued Environmental Compliance | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Determination of Level of Review | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Environmental Review Cover Sheet | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds (Site Specific) | Sample | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (Tiered Reviews) | Sample | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Request for Release of Funds and Certification Form | December 14, 2021 | |
| Statutory Checklist Form | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Tier II Template | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Timing Summary Worksheets | Excel | December 14, 2021 |
Environmental Assessment (EA)
| Title | File Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Step Process for Compliance with Floodplain Management Form | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Certification of Continued Environmental Compliance | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Determination of Level of Review | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| Environmental Review Cover Sheet | Word | December 14, 2021 |
| HUD Environmental Assessment | December 14, 2021 | |
| Request for Release of Funds and Certification Form | December 14, 2021 | |
| Sample | Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) & Request Release for Funds (RROF) | December 14, 2021 | |
| Timing Summary Worksheets | Excel | December 14, 2021 |
Nebraska Low and Moderate Income Summary Data
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, FY 2021 ACS 5-Year 2011-2015 Low-and-Moderate Income Summary Data
NOTE: There were no changes between FY 2021 data and FY 2020 data.
Raw Data from HUD:
Block Groups (incl. MOEs)
Counties/Cities/Towns/Villages
(Dashboard Updated: 6/14/2020)
How to use the Map Tools in the visualization
If you hover the map, the toolbar shown below will show up in the top left corner.
The following icons are in the toolbar along with descriptions of what that tool does:
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Search for a city, county, or state (because this search covers the whole globe, some smaller cities may not be searchable. |
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Zoom in (+) or out (-) |
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Return to the map to its default view and zoom level |
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Create a rectangle to zoom into a selected portion of the map |
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Select geographies on the map with a rectangle, circle, or a freehand region |
Another way to make selections on the map is to click on the geographies. If you hold down the Ctrl key or the Command key on a Mac, you’ll be able to make multiple selections.
How to Download a PDF of the visualization
1. Click the Download button, located in the bottom right corner of the visualization. Show in red in the image below:
2. Click PDF.
3. Change settings as desired and then click Generate.
4. Once the window stating, “The PDF has been generated.” appears, click Download.
5. Print or save the PDF that you downloaded.
How to Download an image of the visualization
1. Click the Download button, located in the bottom right corner of the visualization. Show in red in the image below:
2. Click Image.
3. Once the window stating, “The image has been generated.” appears, click Download.
4. Print or save the image that you downloaded.
How to Download data from the visualization
1. Click the Download button, located in the bottom right corner of the visualization. Show in red in the image below.
2. Click Data. If the Data option is unavailable, you’ll have to make a selection from the visualization of what you want to download.
3. Once the window “View Data” window comes up select from the summary or full data tabs and click the link that says “Download all rows as a text file”. The summary tab will show all the data selected plus the calculated fields being summarized on-the-fly in the visualization. The full data tab will just show the selected data in its original form, without the calculated fields.
Additional Resources
- CDBG HUD Program Income Limits – use for income surveys
- U.S. Census Bureau
- American Fact Finder
- HUD Community Planning and Development Notices
- HUD Exchange: Low- and Moderate-Income Data
- CPD-14-013: Guidelines for Conducting Income Surveys to Determine the Percentage of Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Persons in the Service Area of a CDBG Funded Activity
- CPD-19-02: Low- and Moderate-Income Summary Data Updates
Based on 2011-2015 American Community Survey (ACS)
Income Limits (Very Low Income – 50%; Low Income – 80%)
Have questions about CDBG?
Steve Charleston
Director of Housing & Community Development
