Community Development Block Grant

CDBG webpage pic.jpg

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. This program provides funding to organizations 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. Organizations receiving CDBG funding are selected through a competitive application process.   

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 Austin.Knudsen@mbakerintl.com. 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 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 Human Relations Commission 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 is soon kicking off preparation of the City’s 5-Year 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan). ConPlan preparation will be 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. 

CDBG Program Year/Fiscal Year 2025-26 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) 

As a first step toward preparing the FY 2025-2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP), the City will release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for its CDBG Program Year 2025-26 HUD funding allocation. Check back here for updates, to obtain the Application Packet, and learn the date of the standard Pre-Application Conference.

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

Annual Actions Plans (AAP)

The Annual Action Plan identifies the City’s housing and community development needs and provides a one-year action plan to demonstrate how the City will invest its CDBG funds to address those needs. The funded activities are intended to meet Palo Alto’s affordable housing and community development objectives described in the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan.  

2020-2021 Annual Action Plan(PDF, 8MB)
2021-2022 Annual Action Plan(PDF, 750KB)
2022-2023 Annual Action Plan(PDF, 1MB)
2023-2024 Annual Action Plan(PDF, 5MB)

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)