What Is It?
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is federal funding provided to the City of Columbus by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop viable urban communities with an emphasis on supporting low- and moderate-income persons. CDBG can be used for projects like affordable housing development, public facilities and services, property rehabilitation, and more.
HUD Playing by the Rules Handbook for Subrecipients
2025 City of Columbus CDBG Grant Timeline
Every year, the City administers CDBG funds to internal and external organizations through a competitive application process. Below is our timeline of the grant process:
- April 11, 2024, 3-5 PM - CDBG Application Release Workshop @ Whetstone Public Library meeting room
- April 11 – June 14, 2024 – CDBG application open to the public
- May 2, 2024, 3:00 - 5:00 PM - 2024 CDBG Technical Assistance Workshop @ Columbus Public Health Auditorium (240 Parsons Ave)
- June 14, 2024 – CDBG application due by 11:59 PM
CDBG Application 2025
This year the City is collecting applications through a web form that will require you to enter responses in a web browser and upload supporting documents. The web form can be saved and returned to, but you also have the option to work in a Word document and complete the web form once you have drafted all responses offline.
Application Web Form – submit by 11:59 PM on June 14th, 2024
Application – Word document version(DOCX, 23KB) - For drafting purposes only. Do not submit this document. Complete all responses in the web form.
Budget template - Excel file(XLSX, 34KB) - Applications must upload a completed budget proposal using this file as a template
Application scoring worksheet - PDF file(PDF, 349KB) – For reference only, for use by City staff
CDBG Technical Assistance
Prospective applicants for CDBG funds can request technical assistance from the Grants Management team by completing this web form.
Simple questions can be emailed to grantsmgmt@columbus.gov, but discussions related to a potential application or more in-depth questions about program eligibility and regulations should be submitted through the form.
A technical assistance workshop was held on May 2nd, and a recording can be viewed here.
2025 Technical Assistance Workshop slides(PDF, 363KB)
2025 CDBG Workshop slides(PDF, 16MB)
Recordings of previous workshops are available for your review:
2023 CDBG Public Workshop recording
2024 CDBG Public Workshop recording
2025 CDBG Public Workshop recording
2025 CDBG Funding Timeline
- June 14 - August 2024 - CDBG project review and scoring by internal committee
- August 2024 - October 2024 - Public participation process and selection of 2025 CDBG awards
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- Public meeting will be held to present all applications received for CDBG funding, seek feedback on funding priorities, and allow for public comment.
- Columbus City Council Finance Committee Hearing will be held following selection of CDBG awards to review draft 2024 Annual Action Plan. This hearing provides an opportunity for public comment.
- October - December, 2024 - Columbus City Council passes legislation adopting draft 2025 Annual Action Plan.
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- Grants Management staff work with CDBG awardees to complete environmental reviews, finalize project scopes, and sign agreements
- January 1, 2025 - Program year begins
- December 31, 2025 - Program year ends
CDBG HUD Resources
CDBG Entitlement Program - HUD Exchange