Community Development Block Grant Program

Highlights of the Day

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice  City of Lee's Summit Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice has been completed, pending submission to HUD. To learn about this study, please visit the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choices Project.

First Time Homebuyer Program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant. Eligible first time homebuyers can be granted up to $3,000 to cover closing costs and up to 50 percent of the required down payment. To learn more, please visit the First Time Homebuyer Program.

Minor Home Repair Program is also funded through the CDBG program. This program provides up to $10,000 to qualified single family owner-occupied homeowners for eligible exterior home repairs and up to $3,000 to qualified homeowners for eligible minor private sanitary sewer repairs/improvements. To learn about the program and apply for the grant, please visit Minor Home Repair Program.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended; 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide-range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.

Entitlement communities develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low and moderate-income persons. Grantees may also carry out activities, which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. Additionally, grantees may fund activities when the grantee certifies that the activities meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs. CDBG funds may not be used for activities not meeting these broad national objectives.

The City of Lee’s Summit CDBG Entitlement Program

Entitlement status is a designation for local communities generally with a population over 50,000. The City of Lee's Summit was designated as an Entitlement Community under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in August 1994. With this designation, the City receives a grant on an annual basis contingent upon congressional approval of the federal budget.

Currently, the City’s CDBG program is implemented through a process where qualified agencies apply for these funds prior to the start of each program year for eligible projects and activities. There is a selection and fund allocation process to ensure funds are used to achieve community goals and objectives as established in the five-year Consolidated Plan. Diagram of the CDBG Process 

For agencies interested in participating in the program, visit CDBG Entitlement Program.

Currently, the First Time Homebuyer Program and Minor Home Repair Program are funded by the CDBG grant and administered by the City.

Other programs and activities that receive CDBG funds are executed by other governmental or non-governmental agencies. To learn more, visit Programs and Applications.