The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced the award of $6,552,869 in Small Cities Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to non-entitlement municipalities and counties in New Jersey. The 22 grants are allocated to 17 local government entities across eight counties. DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources manages these federal grant funds for the state.
Funding for the Small Cities CDBG Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the Community Development Block Grant Program. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the program since its enactment by Congress in 1974.
“At DCA, it is our mission to improve the quality of life for residents of New Jersey,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “One of the ways we’re able to do this is through the Small Cities Program. These federal grants, which DCA administers on behalf of the State, help smaller-sized towns improve public facilities, rehabilitate housing, and make much-needed infrastructure improvements. We’re happy to positively impact families of limited financial means by improving their well-being through such projects.”
This year's awards will fund various projects including improvements at parks, recreation facilities, and municipal buildings to enhance accessibility for disabled persons in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); upgrades to sewer mains and manholes; expansion of public water and sewer utilities; and rehabilitation of housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Additionally, $1.4 million from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding was included for several housing rehabilitation projects addressing lead-based paint hazards.
Small Cities CDBG grants provide direct assistance to eligible municipalities and counties for housing rehabilitation, public facilities improvements, community revitalization, and economic development. Only non-entitlement local governmental entities serving populations under 50,000 that do not receive direct HUD funding are eligible.
Municipalities and counties receiving these grants design their own projects based on local priorities but must meet at least one federal national objective:
- Activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons;
- Assistance in preventing or eliminating slums or blight;
- Addressing urgent community development needs due to conditions posing serious threats where other financial resources are unavailable.
More information about grant recipients can be found at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/cdbg.shtml.
The Division of Housing and Community Resources aims to strengthen neighborhoods through affordable housing delivery and supportive services while providing financial assistance for community development projects that enhance residents' quality of life.
DCA offers a range of programs including local government management, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.
