Community Development Block Grant
The City of Palo Alto receives funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, providing funding to organizations through a competitive application process to implement activities, projects, and programs benefiting low-and moderate-income persons and community development needs. Examples of activities funded through the CDBG program include case management services to secure affordable housing and employment, fair housing services, employment training, senior daycare, and housing rehabilitation.
Current CDBG Program Activities
The City undertakes many CDBG program activities throughout the year. If you have comments or questions on the CDBG program, the City's CDBG program consultant is Austin Knudsen who may be contacted via email at CDBG.Support@cityofpaloalto.org. Comments or questions may also be mailed to the City at the following address: Planning and Development Services/CDBG, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
CDBG Program Year/Fiscal Year 2025-26 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
The City of Palo Alto is initiating its CDBG Program Year 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan (AAP) preparation process. As a first step toward preparing the AAP, the City has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for its CDBG Program Year 2025-2026 funding allocation. Applicants can apply for CDBG funding through January 10, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the Human Relations Commission (HRC), with recommendations advanced for City Council consideration and selection, prioritizing alignment with the needs and goals outlined in the CDBG 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan. Funded projects, activities, and programs will be incorporated into the final CDBG Program Year 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan.
To submit applications for CDBG Program Year 2025-2026, gain an application and other resources in the following Application Packet: CDBG Program Year 2025-2026 Application Packet(PDF, 1MB)
The City of Palo Alto invites organizations to submit applications for the following categories:
- Economic Development
- Housing
- Public Facilities and Improvements
- Public Services
The City estimates distributing $500,000 in CDBG funds and $100,000 in Program Income for Program Year 2025-2026.
Pre-Proposal Conference: A Pre-Proposal Conference was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Application Deadline: The application is due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2025, to Austin Knudsen, CDBG Consultant, via email at CDBG.Support@cityofpaloalto.org. For questions or additional information about the pre-proposal conference, application, or application submission process, contact Austin Knudsen, CDBG Consultant, via email or at (916) 231-2231.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services, or programs, or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact the ADA Coordinator, City of Palo Alto, at (650) 329-2550 (Voice) or ada@cityofpaloalto.org.
CDBG 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Preparation
The City submitted its FY 2023-2024 (Program Year 2023) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to HUD by the required September 28, 2024 deadline and is awaiting confirmation of acceptance. This report reviews the City’s CDBG accomplishments from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and the expenditures for the FY 2023-2024 (Program Year 2023) CDBG funding cycle. The 15-day public review and comment period on the FY 2023-2024 Draft CAPER began on August 29, 2024 and ended on September 12, 2024. The HRC held a public hearing on the FY 2023-2024 Draft CAPER on September 12, 2024.
CDBG Program Year/Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Action Plan Preparation
The City of Palo Alto submitted its CDBG Program Year/Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Action Plan (AAP) to HUD in July 2024. The City is currently awaiting HUD final approval of the AAP. The AAP contains the projects, programs, and activities that the City plans to fund through CDBG and CDBG CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funds allocated to the City by HUD.
CDBG Consolidated Plan 2025-2030 Preparation
HUD requires the City to create a five-year Consolidated Plan to direct and allocate CDBG funds. In partnership with Santa Clara County and additional County jurisdictions, the City will kick off preparation of the City’s 5-Year 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan soon. Preparation is based upon a community-oriented participatory process to identify the specific goals and priority needs for where CDBG funds will be allocated during the five-year time frame from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030.
Visit the County’s website for more information about this process, take the online survey or join staff for a Community Development Block Grant Program Popup at Third Thursday on December 19, 2024.
Additional Information
Currently Funded CDBG Activities, Projects, and Services
The City of Palo Alto Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is funding the following projects, programs, and activities, as outlined in the City's FY 2024-25 CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP).
| Agency/Program Name |
FY 2024-25 Funded Amount |
| CDBG Applicants |
|
| Alta Housing - SRO Resident Supportive Services |
$11,575 |
| Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County – Long Term Care Ombudsman Program |
$7,575 |
| LifeMoves – Case Management |
$28,247 |
| Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)– Case Management |
$14,075 |
| Project Sentinel – Fair Housing Services |
$15,575 |
| Subtotal |
$77,047 |
| WeeCare/Upwards |
$120,000 |
| Subtotal |
$120,000 |
| Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP)– Safe at Home |
$73,585 |
| Community Work Group/Abode – Alma Garden |
$404,800 |
| Subtotal |
$478,385 |
| Fire Station – Sidewalk Improvement Project |
$62,645.61 |
| Homekey Palo Alto – Recreation Project |
$185,000 |
| Subtotal |
$247,645.61 |
| City of Palo Alto Administration |
$114,730 |
| Subtotal |
$114,730 |
| GRAND TOTAL for CDBG |
$1,037,807.61 |
| CDBG-CV Applicants |
|
| MOVE Mountain View - Safe Parking Program |
$110,000.00 |
| Planning and Administration – CV |
$9,478.74 |
| GRAND TOTAL for CDBG-CV |
$119,478.74 |
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The City annually prepares a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER provides an overview of the major CDBG program initiatives undertaken and accomplished in the previous Program Year. After a public review and comment period on the draft CAPER and a public hearing before the Human Relations Commission, the City submits the final CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in September of each year.
2020-2021 CAPER(PDF, 628KB)
2021-2022 CAPER(PDF, 3MB)
2022-2023 CAPER(PDF, 704KB)
Consolidated Plan 2020-2025
The City of Palo Alto is an entitlement City that receives CDBG funding from HUD. HUD requires the City to create a five-year Consolidated Plan to direct and allocate CDBG funds. The 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) is built on a community-oriented participatory process and will function as an application for federal funds under HUD’s CDBG program. The ConPlan will also outline specific goals and priority needs where CDBG funds will be allocated during the five fiscal years of the plan.
2020-2025 Consolidated Plan and 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan(PDF, 9MB) - As Amended June 2023
Citizen Participation Plan (CPP)
The Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) outlines the public's participation in the City’s CDBG Program. This plan applies to citizens, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties.
Adopted Citizen Participation Plan 2022(PDF, 726KB)