The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally funded initiative administered by the City of Wausau. The program aims to enhance the quality of life for residents by promoting affordable housing, strengthening public infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and expanding access to essential services.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary purpose of the Housing and Community Development Act is to address housing and community development needs in the United States. This legislation aims to provide affordable housing opportunities, improve living conditions for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, promote economic development, and enhance the quality of life in communities across the country. Additionally, it establishes various programs and funding mechanisms to support initiatives related to housing, urban development, and community revitalization. Every project undertaken using CDBG funds must align with one of the three overarching National Objectives:

• Benefit low and moderate income persons
• Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight
• Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious or immediate threat to health. 

Subrecipients who receive CDBG funding must follow the income guidelines that HUD updates on an annual basis. This means the funds must be used to assist individuals/households who are at or below the income limit per household size, per the limits released by HUD and effective as of 5/1/24.

CDBG funds must focus on projects that create a measurable community impact and fall within the eligible activity categories outlined by HUD. In the CDBG program, eligible activities are those that align with the program's goals of benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals, addressing urgent community needs, or eliminating slum and blight. 

Examples include:

• Housing rehabilitation
• Public services (such as job training, childcare, or health services)
• Public infrastructure improvements (roads, water systems, etc.)
• Economic development activities to create jobs
• Acquisition and demolition of blighted properties

Ineligible activities are those that do not meet these objectives or are restricted by federal regulations.

These typically include:

• General government expenses
• Political activities
• New construction of government buildings
• Income payments (such as direct cash assistance to individuals)
• Certain equipment purchases for government use