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 City of Taunton, Massachusetts Mayor Charles Crowley
Taunton Municipal Council
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides annual grants to States, larger cities, and counties for a broad range of activities that preserve and develop viable urban communities. The program’s principal beneficiaries are low-moderate income households.
The City of Taunton, through the Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD), receives federal CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as an entitlement community on an annual basis to support the program’s goals.
The City of Taunton provides CDBG funding to sub grantees that engage in eligible activities that support the goals of the CDBG program.
Program Goals
 Provide decent, safe and sanitary housing, Provide a suitable living environment, and to Expand economic opportunities.Eligible Applicants
Public Service Provider, Affordable housing sponsors and developers, public institutions and other City Departments/Agencies.
Terms of Funding Assistance
Funds are available as a grant or a loan.
Income Eligibility
The gross annual household income for 51% of the persons served by CDBG funds must be 80% of the median income as set by HUD. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determines the income limits annually. Household income is determined by the number of persons in the household and the total gross household income. Income limits for the Taunton-Mansfield-Norton HUD-Metro Fair Market Rent Area (HMFA), which Taunton is included, will be provided upon application.
Eligible Uses of Funds
CDBG Funds may be used for a wide variety of activities that address the need for new or improved public improvements and facilities, economic development opportunities, improving the supply or condition of housing, and public services.
Eligible activities can be grouped as:
1. Real Property and Housing-related activities
 Acquisition of land and or buildings. Disposition of land or buildings. Installation or construction of a public facility – such as a park or shelter for homeless persons- or a public improvement – such as a paved road or water/sewer system. Clearance and demolition. Interim assistance for limited activities in deteriorated areas that require immediate action. Completion of Urban Renewal projects. Acquisition, construction, installation, or improvements of privately owned utilities.Rehabilitation of properties, including:
 Privately-owned homes Publicly-owned residential housing Publicly or privately-owned commercial or industrial buildings Nonresidential buildings owned by nonprofits Manufactured housing when it is part of the permanent housing supply Code enforcement. Historic Preservation. Renovation of closed buildings. Lead-based paint testing, evaluation, reduction, and clearance.
2. Public Services activities (capped at 15% of Entitlement funds)
A non-exhaustive list of eligible services includes:
 Employment training Crime prevention Child care Health and drug abuse care and education Fair housing and homebuyer pre-purchase counseling Energy conservation Recreation
3. Economic Development Activities
Acquisition of special economic development activities include:
 Acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or installation of commercial or industrial buildings or railroad spurs Grants, loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies to businesses Administrative costs directly related to economic development projects Special activities by Community-Based Community Development Organizations (CBDOs) that are part of a broader effort to revitalize a neighborhood. Assistance to micro-enterprises, such as – Loans, grants, technical assistance, or supportive services
4. Planning and Administration (capped at 20% of Entitlement funds)
 General Program Administration Application Process:
1. CDBG applications for funding are available annually, usually in December/January. Eligible applicants are required to complete a CDBG Application and provide the necessary supporting material e.g. financial pro forma, operating budget, etc. Applications for funding are reviewed by the City’s Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD) staff.
2. Once a proposed project is approved by the Office of Economic & Community Development, a recommendation for funding is submitted to the Mayor, who must approve the final commitment of the funds.
Contact
For applications and guidelines to apply for CDBG funding contact Michael J. Mattos, Community Development Director at 508-821-1030 or e-mail at dircomdev@tmlp.net
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