As a part of National Community Development Week, the Conference of Mayors will be sharing success stories daily on what Community Development Block Grants support in our nation’s cities. 

Nearly 90 cities have already responded to our CDBG Works survey with examples of successful CDBG projects. If you have not already done so, click here to fill out the short survey. Here are two examples of local CDBG projects; Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.

Housing Rehabilitation Programs in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City currently implements a variety of Housing Rehabilitation Programs that are funded exclusively by CDBG. These programs provide loans and grants to low and moderate income homeowners, many of which are seniors, to rehabilitate the inside and outside of housing including removal of lead paint hazards. Program goals are to provide a suitable living condition for residents and support the vitality and stability of our older neighborhoods. Each year the programs typically assist 50 homeowners with roof, window and siding replacements; 20 homeowners with whole house rehabilitation and the installation of 20 storm shelters. Eighty to 100 additional units receive emergency repairs to correct urgent needs such as plumbing, heating or roof repairs. With more funds we could accomplish more, as there is a lengthy waiting list for some programs. CDBG works to improve housing.

FEED Kitchen Incubator in Madison

The City of Madison provided a $500,000 loan to the Northside Planning Council to support the development of a commercial kitchen incubator for food-related businesses. The FEED kitchen incubator project and its objective to create new jobs on the Northside was identified by the neighborhood as a high priority. The City’s early commitment for the project was critical to leveraging an additional $930,000 of private investments, as well as more than $260,000 of in-kind contributions. During the three years that the FEED kitchen incubator has been operational it has supported 76 small businesses that are responsible for the creation of more than 160 new jobs.