Federal Grants

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on an annual basis to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services, principally to benefit low and moderate income persons.

• Additional Program Information

CDBG provides a flexible source of funding to develop viable urban communities by providing decent affordable housing, creating suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons. The City, with the participation of local citizens, allocates resources toward projects that qualify as meeting one or more of the following three broad national objectives set by Congress:

• Aid to prevent or eliminate slums and blight

• Benefit low and moderate income persons

• Meet other community development needs in an urgent situation

CDBG funds are awarded to public and private nonprofit organizations, city departments, and other public agencies to carry out eligible housing and community development projects within the boundaries of the City of Hartford.

CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:

• Acquisition of real property

• Relocation and demolition

• Rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures

• Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes

• Public services, within certain limits

• Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources

• Provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities

 Each activity must meet a national objectives for the program. 

• CDBG Guide to National Objectives & Eligible Activities

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) provide homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. The grants can assist with operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant. 

At risk of homelessness includes three categories under which an individual or family may qualify as "at risk of homelessness" in order to be eligible for homeless prevention assistance. One of these categories is having incomes below 30% of area median income.

ESG Eligible Activities include: 

• Street outreach

• Emergency shelter

• Homeless prevention

• Rapid re-housing

• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

• Administration

ESG Requirements

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, managed by HUD's Office of HIV/AIDS Housing, was established to provide housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Two types of grants are made under the HOPWA program. HOPWA formula grants are made using a statutorily-mandated formula to allocate approximately 90 percent of HOPWA funds to eligible cities such as Hartford on behalf of their metropolitan areas and to eligible States.

HOPWA funds may be used for a wide range of housing, social services, program planning, and development costs. These include, but are not limited to, the acquisition; rehabilitation; or new construction of housing units; costs for facility operations; rental assistance; and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. An essential component in providing housing assistance for this targeted special needs population is the coordination and delivery of support services. Consequently, HOPWA funds also may be used for services including (but not limited to) assessment and case management, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, nutritional services, job training and placement assistance, and assistance with daily living.