The City of Thornton receives Community Development Block Grant funds each year to use for programs that assist low to moderate income residents.
What is CDBG?
CDBG stands for Community Development Block Grant. This federally funded program allows eligible government agencies to provide housing related services and complete housing related projects that target low-to-moderate income citizens. Thornton has been receiving these funds since 1986 and new CDBG projects are approved each fall by City Council. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides these funds to Thornton.
Historically, CDBG funds have been utilized to pay for street improvements in Original Thornton, waterline improvements at multi-family complexes, building improvements at local medical facilities, sidewalk accessibility improvements, and minor home repair programs.
Projects
The City receives approximately $400,000 to $500,000 each year to fund projects. In 2010 and 2011, the following activities were funded: Public Services (homeless service providers, senior services); Public Facility improvements (medical and dental facilities); Housing Rehabilitation (single-family and multi-family); and Streetscape Improvements. In 2011, the City funded projects in Public Services (senior services); Public Facility improvements (medical facilities); Housing Rehabilitation (single-family); and Streetscape Improvements.
The City of Thornton received 10 applications for the 2012 CDBG funding year totaling $840,000 of requests.
Council Action
The next City Council action will be on the submission of the 2011 CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) in June 2012. This end of the program year report is required of all Entitlements and demonstrates how the City met its goals through projects and services funded by CDBG and through other initiatives.
Residents Play a Role in CDBG
Public participation in the CDBG proces is highly encouraged. Residents are welcome to provide feedback at anytime by contacting City staff. They also have the opportunity to provide specific comments on proposed projects during the 30-day public comment period before a public hearing.
As part of the public participation process for the 2012 program year, the City had representatives from four citizen advisory boards review the project proposals: the Thornton Revitalization Advisory Board (TRAB), the Senior Citizen Advisory Board (SCAB), the Thornton Assistance Fund (TAF) committee, and the Teen Advisory Council. This minutes from these meetings are located in the appendices of the 2012 draft Annual Action Plan.
CDBG Plans and Documents
HUD requires the City to submit a variety of documents in order to receive funding. These vary from strategic plans that outline how the funds will be spent to the public participation process. To view these documents, visit the CDBG and Housing Library.
Questions on CDBG?
Contact Neighborhood Services at 303-538-7600 or email cdbg@cityofthornton.net.