The City of Fort Bragg is an active participant in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program provides funding for a variety of improvements in the areas of housing, community facilities and services, infrastructure, and economic development activities. The State CDBG program was established by the Federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 USC 5301, et seq.).
Objective
The primary objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. “Persons of low and moderate income” are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80% of the county median income, with adjustments for family or household size. More information about the CDBG program is available at the Grants and Funding page of the State Housing and Community Development website.
Funding
Each year, the CDBG program releases a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for both the Community Development and Economic Development Allocations, including Native American and Colonial Allocations. In addition, jurisdictions are eligible to apply for up to $3 million in funding from the Economic Development Over-the-Counter (OTC) allocation.
Income Limits
Direct services from CDBG-funded programs are usually limited to the low- and moderate-income population. To see current CDBG income limits by family size, review the State website. Select the most recent report date for CDBG under “CDBG, HOME and NHTF Article I - Income, Value, Subsidy, and Rent Limits,” and in the Income Limit’s document, click on current or most recent year and scroll to the Mendocino County information.
Eligible Applicants
In California, only local governments are eligible to apply directly for CDBG funding. Fort Bragg is eligible to apply as a "non-entitlement" jurisdiction and competes for funding against other non-entitlement jurisdictions, which includes all California cities with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 250,000. Eligible jurisdictions may apply for various activities on behalf of non-profit entities. Applications may also be submitted for economic development activities on behalf of for-profit businesses. Program applications may include activities for which income-qualified individuals or households may apply to the city for funding. Jurisdictions that are awarded grants enter into contracts with the State to complete the specified activities with the grant funds. Most applications for CDBG funding are generally highly competitive, and successful applicants must meet or exceed established criteria to be awarded.
Understand the CDBG Program as it applies to the City of Fort Bragg.
Please Provide Input for New Grant Activities
Each year, the City is required to hold a Design Phase Public Hearing in order to apply for future CDBG funds. The purpose of the public hearing is to explain how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program works; to let the public know about upcoming opportunities for funding, and to solicit ideas from the community about needs and future grant activities. Representatives of non-profit organizations that serve the low income population in Fort Bragg city limits are encouraged to attend the Design Phase meeting to see if CDBG funding can benefit your non-profit organization. Representatives of expanding for-profit businesses that need funds to keep or increase jobs are also welcome to attend. If you have questions or ideas about future grant activities or if you want more information about the next Design Phase Public Hearing, please email Lacy Sallas.
If you have an idea for a CDBG activity, please complete the CDBG Preliminary Request for Assistance. Please bring this completed form to the next Design Phase Public Hearing or email Lacy Sallas to discuss next steps.
Please see below for Design Phase Archive of Minutes, Agendas and Public Hearing Notices.
Current CDBG Activities
Utility Bill Assistance Program (UBAP): $300,000 will fund the UBAP and general administration of the CDBG program until May 12, 2028 or until all fund are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Visit our Utility Billing Financial Assistance webpage to learn more and access the application.
Business Loan Assistance Program (BALP): $570,000 in Program Income (funds earned from repayment of previous loans) will fund the BALP and general administration of the CDBG program until July 22, 2028 or until all fund are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Visit our Economic Development website to learn more and access the application.