This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the 28th anniversary of the National Community Development Week campaign.
Community Development Week is designed to celebrate the work done in cities and towns throughout the United States through programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Two of the main programs, the CDBG and HOME Investment Partnership, provide grants to states, counties and cities to design neighborhood-based approaches to improve the physical, economic and social conditions in their communities.
Through the CDBG and HOME programs, the City of Greenville has provided funding and support for developing affordable workforce housing and community programs for low- to moderate-income residents. These programs have also provided a critical revenue source for leveraging local and private funds for revitalizing neighborhoods throughout the city. Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds are used for a variety of neighborhood revitalization efforts in the city of Greenville, including acquisition of property for affordable housing development; public improvements such as streets, drainage, sidewalks, lighting and street trees; down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers; job training; homebuyer education; after-school tutorial programs; microloans for small businesses; neighborhood grants; grant administration and technical assistance. Below are examples of some of the many accomplishments from the past five years:
• More than 700 children participated in after-school tutorial programs, which supported and enhanced high school achievement during the school years
• More than 200 adults completed job training programs, and 56 secured family-wage employment, representing a contribution of over $762,770 in total income back into the community, and reducing the burden on other local, state and federal programs
• More than 100 homeowners received rehabilitation assistance
• 125 affordable rental homes and 20 homes were completed for first-time homebuyers
• 67 properties were acquired and made available to residential partners for redevelopment of affordable and workforce housing
• 42 grants totaling more than $78,000 were used by neighborhood associations for capacity building and other neighborhood revitalization activities
• In the past year, five businesses received microloans and generated 10 jobs
According to Community Development Administrator Ginny Stroud, the CDBG and HOME programs are sound economic development investments in the community, as the City of Greenville is also able to leverage its funding. For every dollar of federal funding received, the City has realized a $4.50 local return on its investment, which amounts to over $30 million in the community. “This year, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the CDBG program, we realize the positive economic impact these funds have made in Greenville. The program has served as a catalyst to transform our neighborhoods and stimulate additional investment in Greenville,” said Stroud. “We look forward to the next 40 years and our efforts to continue to make Greenville a great place for our citizens to live, work, play and learn.”
This year, the City’s Community Development Division will celebrate National Community Development Week in conjunction with the Greenville City Fire Department’s smoke alarm blitz in the West Greenville/Woodside community by hosting a cook-out for neighborhood residents.