Mayor Brown Urges Federal Lawmakers to Save the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org

Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 12:51 p.m.

Mayor Lisa Brown joins the U.S. Conference of Mayors and bipartisan mayors across the country in urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to protect the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  

Since 1974, CDBG grants have played a vital role in bolstering local infrastructure projects and housing development, as well as delivering essential social services. If eliminated, cities across the United States will face significant reductions in critical development funding and future economic growth.  

In 2024, Spokane received nearly $3 million in CDBG funding to support: 

  • Capital investments in affordable and transitional housing 
  • Investments in community food banks for seniors, children, and individuals 
  • Legal, advocacy, and supportive services for children and adult victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 
  • Critical maintenance updates like roofing, HVAC, and ADA accessibility in family shelters and youth service facilities 
  • Workforce training programs for low-income women  
  • Critical investments in childcare centers 
  • Down payment assistance for low-income homeownership 
  • Single family home repair programing for low-income households 

Part of this funding is allocated to neighborhood councils, which work directly with residents and local businesses to identify and prioritize projects that benefit their communities.  

“Eliminating the Community Block Development Grant would have devastating consequences for Spokane and vulnerable communities across our region. These funds go directly to affordable housing programs, infrastructure improvements, and public services for seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities. Cutting this funding will undermine safety efforts and our work to meet basic community needs,” Mayor Lisa Brown said. 

“CDBG funding has been essential to the success of some of Northeast Spokane's key social infrastructure. The Northeast Community Center, the Northeast Youth Center and the Hillyard Senior Center all have only been able to continue their operations due to investments in our community made possible by CDBG funding being allocated at the local, impactful level,” said Luke Tolley, Interim Chair of the Bemiss Neighborhood Council and Community Assembly Representative.  

As House lawmakers mark up the ‘Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill,’ Mayor Brown is urging Representative Michael Baumgartner and other members of the House of Representatives to reject any proposals to eliminate or defund the essential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. 

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