The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved recommendations Wednesday for how to distribute federal Community Development Block Grant funding for 2025.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has distributed these grants annually to cities, states and counties to provide housing and expand economic opportunities for primarily low-to-moderate-income people since the program was established in 1974.
Matt Swinney, Housing and Neighborhood Development Department project manager, told the council HAND estimated the city would receive around $795,743 from the HUD department. The final figure may be higher or lower, and the difference in that number would impact how the funds are distributed.
HAND’s estimate is about a $60,000 decrease from last year’s funding, and the city has seen a gradual decrease in CDBG funds for years.
The HUD Department requires the city to use at least 70% of the funds to help low-to-moderate-income people. Additionally, a maximum of 15% can go to social services programs, a maximum of 20% can go to costs to administer the funds and at least 65% must go to physical improvements, according to the council’s Wednesday resolution.
A CDBG Funding Citizen Advisory Committee makes the local funding recommendations. It’s made up of two city council members, two Redevelopment Commission members, and up to 18 citizens appointed by the mayor. It currently has seven vacancies, according to its website, including one Redevelopment Commission member and six community members.
The city takes applications for grant money each year in the fall and funding for the next fiscal year begins in June.
These organizations will get CDBG funding next fiscal year:
Social services programs
- Boys & Girls Club - Ferguson Crestmont Club: $21,265.92 for afterschool program
- Community Kitchen: $21,265.92 for free meals program
- Hoosier Hills Food Bank: $17,515.92 for food distribution program
- Beacon: $17,515.92 for A Friend’s Place Emergency Shelter
- Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: $17,515.92 for food pantry program
- Middle Way House: $12,140.92 for New Wings Emergency Shelter
- Pathways (formerly Monroe County United Ministries): $12,140.92 for Compass Early Learning Center
Physical improvements programs
- City of Bloomington Utilities: $141,089 to extend sewer mains in the Broadview neighborhood
- Centerstone of Indiana: $35,000 for group home flooring
- Middle Way House: $9,418 for elevator railing
- LIFEDesigns: $29,512 for kitchen and roof work at properties owned by LIFEDesigns
- Pathways (formerly Monroe County United Ministries): $20,000 for playground water fountains
- New Hope for Families: $30,000 for outdoor classroom shade structures and play equipment
- Summit Hill Community Development Corporation: $113,397 for Walnut Woods Playground
- Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: $138,816.95 for the acquisition of property adjacent to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
Administration funding
- Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department: $159,148.60 for administration
