Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant program administered through the City of Bloomington is part of a long standing federal initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This program has been in operation in Bloomington for over fifty years and is designed to provide annual funding to address a wide range of community development needs. The overarching purpose of the program is to support projects and activities that meet at least one national objective established by HUD, including benefiting low and moderate income individuals, preventing or eliminating slum or blight conditions, or addressing urgent community development needs. Within Bloomington, the program supports several categories of community activities, including housing rehabilitation, public services, infrastructure improvements, and broader community planning initiatives. A key component highlighted is the housing rehabilitation program, which focuses on improving the safety and livability of owner occupied homes. Eligible rehabilitation activities include structural and mechanical repairs such as roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, windows, siding, gutters, and energy efficiency upgrades. Accessibility modifications are also eligible. However, the program explicitly excludes luxury improvements and non essential additions such as detached garages, decks, patios, driveways, or general cosmetic remodeling. Funding for housing rehabilitation is provided in the form of zero percent interest, five year forgivable loans of up to thirty thousand dollars. These funds are intended strictly for hard construction costs associated with eligible repairs. The assistance is limited to income qualified residents who own and occupy single family homes within the city limits. Priority is given to repairs that address health and safety concerns, ensuring that limited funding is directed toward critical housing deficiencies first. Eligibility for the program is determined primarily based on household income, which must not exceed eighty percent of the area median income as defined by HUD. Additional requirements include ownership and occupancy of the property as a primary residence and location within the corporate limits of Bloomington. While the program outlines these core criteria, applicants are encouraged to contact program staff for further clarification on additional eligibility considerations that may apply. The application process begins with the submission of a housing rehabilitation pre application. This initial step allows program staff to assess eligibility and determine the most appropriate rehabilitation program for the applicant. After submission, applicants are contacted to discuss available options and proceed with the full application process. Pre applications can be submitted online or via paper forms mailed to the Community Impact and Enhancement Department. The process emphasizes direct communication with program staff to guide applicants through eligibility verification and documentation requirements. Beyond housing, the broader CDBG program in Bloomington also includes public service funding and infrastructure or facility improvement initiatives. However, for the 2026 program year, applications for these components are currently closed. The program operates in coordination with regional partners including local government entities, housing authorities, and planning commissions to address issues such as affordable housing, fair housing compliance, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. While specific timelines for application cycles are not detailed, the program is described as an annual funding opportunity, indicating recurring availability subject to federal allocations and local program administration.