Community Development Block Grants

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Overview

Rural communities have many pressing needs that require outside financial assistance. Through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the State of Indiana requests federal funds annually to help with a variety of projects including water infrastructure, public facilities, blight clearance, Mainstreet revitalization and many others. These funds help communities to improve quality of life and to ensure the health and safety of their residents. In turn, this enhances their ability to create places where citizens can grow, thrive and prosper.

Be sure to visit OCRA’s 2024 Calendar.

Recent News

CDBG Planning Grants now open for applications

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' Community Development Block Grant Planning Grant program is now open for applications. Third quarter applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET, on Aug. 16, via the Indiana electronic Grants Management System, found here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 16, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

The following plan types will be open as part of the third quarter round:

COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
Comprehensive Plan
Water Infrastructure Plan
Broadband Readiness Plan
Economic Development Plan
Environmental Assessment
Public Facilities Feasibility Study
Historic Preservation Plan
Downtown Revitalization Plan

While a formal site visit is not required for this program, applicants must contact their OCRA community liaison to notify the office of their intention to submit an application and to receive technical assistance on the planning process. A map of community liaison districts can be found here.

Important notes:

All income surveys initiated under OCRA’s current policy for this planning round must be approved by OCRA in eGMS ahead of the application due date of Aug.16.
All completed income survey documentation for this planning round should be submitted for final approval in eGMS by Aug. 2, to ensure OCRA has the full 10 days to complete its review.
As a reminder, the Qualifications Based Selection Planning Grant Procurement Policy is in effect as of Aug. 15, 2022. In accordance with the policy, procurement of professional services for the planning study must be completed prior to the submission of the planning grant application in eGMS for quarter three of 2024.

The next round of planning grants is expected to continue quarterly until funds have been exhausted.

Planning grants are funded with Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goal of the program is to encourage communities to plan for long-term holistic community development. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the planning grant process.

Community Development Block Grants now open for applications

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the OCRA announced the first round of Community Development Block Grants for 2024 is now open for applications.

The following programs are currently accepting applications.

Funding for all CDBG programs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by OCRA. The State of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects like improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.

Proposal submissions will be collected via the electronic Grants Management System. Instructions on how to submit proposals can be found below.

2024 Round 1 proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 26, 2024, and must be submitted here. Communities are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. on April 26, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

2024 Round 1 applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, June 28, 2024, and must be submitted here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. on June 28, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

For further information on these programs, check out the resources below or contact the assigned OCRA regional community liaison.

For further information on these programs, contact the assigned OCRA regional community liaison.

Duplication of Benefits Disclosure
Duplication of Benefits Disclosure clarification video
Detailed budget template
Legal section
Signature page
Access the portal here: indianaegms.force.com/Grants.

CDBG Awards

CDBG Awards Map

Below is a map of all the CDBG funded projects, including planning grants and disaster recovery, from 2013 to 2018

CDBG Grant Programs

Click below to learn more about the specific grants included in the CDBG program

Additional Information

Click to view the Community Liaison Map and contact information.