Governor McDonnell Announces $1.85 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding

Seven localities receive Community Improvement Grants for housing rehabilitation and downtown revitalization projects

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced $1.85 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for 3 projects in Virginia's Growth Alliance.

"The Community Development Block Grant program provides funding for localities to address numerous issues," said Governor McDonnell. "These projects focus on improving the lives of thousands of Virginians and utilizing all available resources to better our communities throughout Virginia."

Since 1982, the federally-funded CDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia receives approximately $17 million annually for this grant program. CDBG grants are awarded through a competitive process. Most projects benefit low- and moderate-income persons, and many projects are targeted for the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.

During this year's competitive cycle, 35 proposals were submitted by 34 localities, and 11 projects received the initial funding. The Community Development Block Grant Program specifies that funding which has not been obligated or which has been returned from closed projects or cost under-runs by December is to be committed to proposals which did not initially receive funding in that year.

"Through the CDBG program, Virginia addresses issues including housing, economic development, health, safety and more to create great communities to live, work and do business," said DHCD Director Bill Shelton.

2013 CDBG Community Improvement Grant Awards in Virginia's Growth Alliance: