CPHD
Community Development Fund
Arlington's Community Development Fund (CDF)
A competitive grant process that consists of funds from three sources:
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, supported by an annual formula entitlement grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assists the County to:
- Provide decent and affordable housing
- Provide clean and safe neighborhoods
- Create economic opportunities.
On the local level, Arlington decides what its housing and community development needs are and, within limits prescribed by HUD, which activities will be undertaken to meet those needs. These funds are used to provide housing, support public services and economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons. Needs are detailed in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program is also an entitlement grant, awarded to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other programs that seek to address poverty at the community level. The money is passed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and managed by the Virginia Department of Social Services. Arlington County can use the funds for employment, education, income management, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and health, depending on its determined needs.
Arlington's Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF), Special general funds allocated for “bricks and mortar” projects and services for residents of affordable housing apartment complexes. $100,000 is allocated for AHIF Housing Services yearly. Funding is provided for up to two years with funding declining by ½ the second grant year.
Small Grants Program Generally, these are small-scale and time limited projects that focus on community building and address an immediate short-term need in Neighborhood Strategy Areas. Funding is limited to $1,000 per annum..
What Activities Can Be Funded by the Community Development Fund?
- Human service projects aimed at low- and moderate-income Neighborhood Strategy Area residents, particularly
- Youth and families;
- Immigrants;
- Disadvantaged minority groups;
- Elderly residents;
- Persons with disabilities;
- Projects which support the County's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness;
- Services to support low income households and individuals in affordable housing developments
- Programs that reduce housing costs for low income residents,
- Workforce and economic development opportunities programs,
- Green and reducing energy/utility consumption projects that benefit low and moderate income households, and
- Services to assist low income families and individuals to obtain and keep housing
- Capacity building activities for nonprofits that serve low-income residents, such as technical assistance, facility improvements, consultants, fundraising and board development, requested as part of a direct service proposal.
Eligible organizations must be nonprofit 501(c)3 agencies serving low and moderate income residents..
Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Program
Arlington's Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program
Nonprofits must be based in or historically performing work within Arlington to be eligible. The County selects three organizations each year. A specialist will work with the nonprofit’s board and administrative leadership to explore possibilities to make the organization better functioning and sustainable and give it the opportunity to refine or expand its services to meet its mission goals. The RFP is generally issued in August and decisions are made in September. Online registration is required.
Community Involvement
Every resident in Arlington is encouraged to become involved in the planning and budget process of the CDBG program. Advisory groups such as the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CDCAC), and the Housing Commission provide opportunities for citizen input.
- Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee
Meets year-round and advises on development of the annual CD program and the Consolidated Plan, implementation and evaluation of the CD program, proposed amendments to the Annual Plan, and allocations of unprogrammed CD funds. - Public hearings on Needs and Performance
Hearings and forums are held by the CDCAC and Housing Commission each Fall on community development and housing needs and strategies. The proposed Annual Plan describing CDBG activities and past performance is included in the County Board budget hearing in March.
Federal Grants Management
Community Development staff is responsible for the following grants management activities:
- Monitoring grant sub recipients to ensure timely and appropriate grant expenditure,
- Reporting grant outcomes and financial reporting to the state and federal governments
- Staffing the CDCAC,
- Staff is also responsible for fulfilling obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and conducts environmental reviews.
- Implementation and compliance with the Section 3 Policy.
- Manage compliance with Davis –Bacon Labor Act
- The team also works with other County, state, and federal specialists on Lead-based Paint Hazard compliance, applicability of the Uniform Relocation Act, Fair Housing, historic preservation,
- Promotes small women and minority-owned businesses to contract with the County, and economic development initiatives.
- Cooperative Agreement with the City of Falls Church to manage the City’s HOME, CDBG and CSBG annual formula entitlement grants . To view the current agreement, click here.
- FY2013 Funded Programs