CHHS

CDBG Priorities

CDBG funds are used to provide improvements and services to neighborhoods and provide a better quality of life for program beneficiaries in need. The funds are often combined with other federal, state, and local resources to make projects whole.

CDBG program funds can be used for a host of activities that include affordable housing, infrastructure and public facility improvements, economic development, and social services. Each activity must meet one of three national objectives: (1) benefit low- and moderate-income people; (2) address urgent health and safety needs in the community; or (3) eliminate slums and blight.

Public Services

CDBG grantees can use up to 15% of their annual allocation plus 15% of program income from the previous program year for community services to address a wide range of community needs. These services include employment training, meals and other services to the elderly, services for abused and neglected children, aid to local food banks, youth and senior services, and support for many other community services. Services are provided by large and small public and private organizations in diverse settings such as schools, community facilities and other venues. CDBG funds may also be used to pay for labor, supplies, and material as well as to operate and/or maintain the portion of a facility in which the public service is located. This includes the lease of a facility, equipment, and other property needed for the service.

Public Facilities and Infrastructure Improvements

CDBG helps communities fund the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and installation of public facilities and infrastructure. These include publicly owned infrastructure such as water and sewer systems and buildings owned by non-profit organizations that are open to the public and provide important community services.

Examples of public facilities and improvements that are funded with CDBG include senior centers, facilities for persons with disabilities, homeless facilities, youth centers, childcare centers, neighborhood facilities (libraries, community centers, food banks, workforce centers, etc.), facilities for abused and neglected children, parks and recreational facilities, fire stations and equipment, health facilities, solid waste disposal facilities, flood and drainage facilities, water and sewer improvements, street improvements and sidewalks, among other public improvements.

Housing

CDBG and HOME are essential to affordable housing preservation and expansion in low- and moderate-income areas. The CDBG program focuses on the elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety, and public welfare primarily through rehabilitation of single family and rental properties. These activities result in the preservation of affordable housing and the expansion of the affordable housing stock for low- and moderate- income people. CDBG can also be used to assist first-time homebuyers. These resources enable low- and moderate-income people to enter the housing market and build wealth through homeownership.

Economic Development

CDBG economic development activities help communities tackle economic distress, stimulate private investment, spur small business and commercial growth, and add jobs to the local economy. CDBG-funded economic development activities help address challenges and barriers to local economic growth such as the lack of working capital and financing for business development and expansion and the lack of adequate infrastructure to attract new businesses.

As the City addresses housing needs and affordability challenges, it is important to understand and consider the historic context that has contributed to the patterns of inequity present today. Learn more about Equity in Housing.

An Analysis of Impediments (AI) is an assessment of a state or a unit of local government's laws, ordinances, statutes, and administrative policies as well as local conditions that affect the location, availability, and accessibility of housing. The development of this AI is part of the consolidated planning process required for all entitlement communities that receive CDBG funds from HUD. This AI includes an analysis of barriers and impediments to fair housing choice, defined as the following:

• “Impediments” are any actions, omissions, or decisions taken which have the effect of restricting a person's housing choice or the availability of housing choice because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or national origin. Such a limitation to fair housing choice constitutes housing discrimination.
• “Barriers” to housing choice are factors that limit a person's ability to choose from a variety of housing types and may not constitute “housing discrimination.” Factors may include housing supply and location, physical accessibility of housing, zoning for group homes, source of income, accessibility of financing, and limited English proficiency.

The Northwest Fair Housing Alliance has prepared a draft Fair Housing Plan that is currently open for public comment until July 3, 2024. This plan established goals to eliminate or reduce identified fair housing issues. Interested parties are invited to comment in writing to the CHHS Department via email or by phone at 509.625.6325, and/or attend and speak at the Public Hearing on July 3, at 4 p.m. at the CHHS Board meeting.

The CHHS Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Council Briefing Room; lower level of Spokane City Hall. Meetings are hybrid. To attend virtually please contact spokanechhs@spokanecity.org and request a meeting invitation. Please allow 24 hours to gain an invitation.

The 2024 Fair Housing Draft Plan is available to view online.