Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program (Pinellas County Urban County)

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program (Pinellas County Urban County) is sponsored by Pinellas County. Pinellas County receives CDBG funds annually from HUD to support community development activities and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents within the Urban County (unincorporated areas and 19 cooperating cities).

Community Development Grants - Pinellas County Community Development Grants The Community Development Department administers a variety of federal, state and local resources to address the county’s community development needs. The County’s four major areas of interest are: Neighborhood improvements in targeted areas. Special District activities.

Facilities serving low/moderate-income households, including special needs populations. Funds are allocated to non-profit partners to carry out activities to support objectives specified in approved neighborhood plans. Pinellas County uses Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to benefit residents located in the Urban County (all unincorporated areas and 19 cooperating cities).

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds are used to benefit residents of the Pinellas County Consortium (Urban County and the City of Largo). Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds benefit the homeless in facilities located outside the city limits of St. Petersburg, as well as facilities offering services for homeless unaccompanied youth or homeless ex-offenders located anywhere in Pinellas County.

The goal of the federal CDBG program is to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income households, and to eliminate blighting conditions. Eligible activities include housing rehabilitation and preservation, public facilities and improvements, public infrastructure, clearance and demolition, economic development, public services and housing services.

Eligible activities under HOME include construction, rehabilitation and/or acquisition in order to expand the supply of decent and affordable housing, as well as homeownership assistance. ESG funds are used to rehabilitate shelters serving the homeless and to provide operating funds and essential supportive services.

SHIP funds are used for emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees, construction and gap financing, mortgage buy-downs, acquisition of property for affordable housing, matching for federal housing grants and programs and homeownership counseling. Cooperation Agreements have been executed between 18 municipalities that participate in the County’s CDBG program.

These municipalities along with the unincorporated areas of Pinellas County make up the Urban County. CDBG funds are used to benefit residents located in the Urban County (all unincorporated areas and eighteen cooperating cities). HOME funds are used to benefit residents of the Pinellas County Consortium (urban County and the City of Largo).

ESG funds benefit homeless in facilities located outside the city limits of St. Petersburg, except that facilities offering services for homeless unaccompanied youth or homeless ex-offenders may be located anywhere in Pinellas County.

Redevelopment Areas in the Cities Infrastructure planning & construction in commercial redevelopment areas requires: Area to meet State criteria for a slum & blighted area A comprehensive improvement plan Multi-year financial commitment to match federal dollars, usually CIP Qualifies as prevention/elimination of slums or blight under HUD regulations.

Pinellas County is required to have a detailed Citizen Participation Plan which contains the policies and procedures for citizen involvement. The primary goal is to provide citizens, especially low- and moderate-income citizens of the community where CDBG-funded activities will take place, an opportunity to participate in the planning, implementation and assessment of the programs and projects.

Information is made available to citizens, public agencies and other interested parties on the amount of assistance the jurisdiction is expected to receive (including grant funds and program income), the range of activities that may be undertaken, the estimated amount of funding that will benefit persons of low- and moderate-income and specific activities and locations to be funded.