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. Second quarter applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET, on May 17, 2024, via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System, found here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on May 17, 2024, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

The following plan types will be open as part of the second 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 1) notify the office of their intention to submit an application and 2) 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 May 17, 2024.
All completed income survey documentation for this planning round should be submitted for final approval in eGMS by May 3, 2024, to ensure OCRA has the full 10 days to complete its review.
As a reminder, the new 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 one 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.

Public Hearing Locations for 2023 Annual Action Plan Amendment and 2024 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development

Every year, the state receives approximately $65 million in housing and community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974 as amended. This plan dictates how these funds will be distributed among various housing and community development activities such as economic development initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and homeownership and rental programs.

A public hearing will be held in a hybrid setting to discuss the methods of engagement and provide comments on the draft 2023 Action Plan Amendment and 2024 Action Plan. This public hearing will be held via Zoom, the public can access the virtual public hearing by phone or computer and in-person at various locations.

Public Hearing: Monday, April 15, at 4 p.m. ET

Virtual Zoom meeting (email vanessa@rootpolicy.com or call 970-880-1415 for the Zoom link)

In-person at the following locations:

Downtown Indianapolis
- 1 N. Capitol Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Room: First Floor Conference Room.

Town of Brookville
- Brookville Library: 919 Main St., Brookville, IN 47012
- Room: Meeting Room B

City of Crawfordsville
- Fusion 54 Co-working Space: 101 W. Main St., Crawfordsville, IN 47933

City of Monticello
- Monticello Public Library: 321 W. Broadway St. Monticello, IN 47960

City of Huntington
- Huntington Public Library: 255 W. Park Dr. Huntington, IN 46750

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.