Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

The CDBG program is a flexible federal program that allocates annual grants to larger cities, urban counties, and states to help communities with funding to address a wide range of community development needs, such as housing rehabilitation, public facilities, infrastructure, job creation, public services, and more. The CDBG program is authorized by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and is one of the longest continuously run programs at Housing and Urban Development.

Spokane Valley CDBG Program

The city participates in the CDBG program as a participant of the Spokane County Consortium. The consortium includes Airway Heights, Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Latah, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Rockford, Spangle, Spokane Valley, and Waverly.

As part of the consortium, the city has a set-aside equal to 20% of the consortium's total CDBG award. Historically, the set-aside has been between $270,000 to $358,000. To be eligible, projects need to have an area-wide benefit, be within a census tract identified as low- and moderate-income, serve primarily residential uses, and be consistent with adopted priorities in the consolidated plan.

CDBG-Funded Projects

Even though the city has a set-aside from the consortium, it must respond to the request for proposals issued by Spokane County Community Services, Housing, and Community Development Department (CSHCD). CSHCD is the county agency that administers CDBG funds. After receiving funding proposals from various agencies, including the City of Spokane Valley, CSHCD makes recommendations to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). HCDAC then holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the Spokane County Board of Commissioners (BOCC). The BOCC also holds a public hearing and then makes the final decision for funding proposal requests.