Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant is administered by the City of Kingston Office of Community Development using an annual Entitlement Grant allocation received through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City's five-year Consolidated Plan establishes long-range community needs, program goals, objectives, annual goals, and benchmarks for the use of CDBG funds. For Fiscal Year 2027, which runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028, the City estimates that its CDBG allocation will be approximately $650,000. The program's primary objective is to benefit persons of low and moderate income and to support viable urban communities through activities related to housing, economic development, elimination of slums and blight, expansion of community services, and neighborhood revitalization. For this application round, the City states that FY 2027 CDBG funding for groups and organizations will be awarded for programs and services only, with no capital improvement funding for groups or organizations. Funding is intended for new or vastly expanded programs and public services. A new program may be completely new, while a vastly expanded activity must increase the number of individuals served by at least 25 percent. Individual activities must serve at least 51 percent low- and moderate-income individuals, and HUD rules require the City to spend at least 70 percent of its overall CDBG funds on activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. Public service examples include child care, health care, job training, recreation, education, public safety, fair housing, senior services, homeless services, drug abuse services, and energy conservation testing. Public services cannot provide direct income payments to individuals for food, clothing, rent, or similar income-maintenance purposes. The FY 2027 application materials identify public-service priorities involving low- and moderate-income youth, seniors, and individuals or families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Applicants must propose an eligible activity situated within the City of Kingston and select an appropriate HUD Matrix Code and National Objective. The City will make the final eligibility determination during its vetting process. Applications are expected to align with priority needs and objectives in the City's adopted 2024-2028 Five Year Consolidated Plan. The same or a similar program activity or public service will not receive CDBG funding for more than three years. Subrecipients must be able to spend awarded funds during the July 1 through June 30 fiscal year and are expected to request reimbursement at least quarterly. FY 2027 programs and services require a 25 percent match, which may include in-kind goods or services. Applicants must also have funds available to fully implement the program or service before reimbursement. Applications become available September 4, 2026 and must be received by 12:00 p.m. on October 5, 2026. Complete applications may be emailed to apeterson@kingston-ny.gov or mailed or delivered to the Office of Community Development, 420 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. The application requires a completed cover sheet, Federal Eligibility and Consolidated Plan Priority Charts, Previous Funding Questionnaire, NEPA Compliance Checklist, application acknowledgements, and nine exhibits. The exhibits address the project or program description, needs, non-CDBG financing, organizational capacity and project timeline, success and cost-effectiveness, requirements for programs at City-owned community centers when applicable, a detailed budget, applicant organizational information, and the applicant's prior-year Form 990 or other applicable tax form. The packet also requires a current DUNS number and requests a UEI number. Late or incomplete applications will not move forward. Applications are reviewed by qualified City staff for completeness, mandatory federal eligibility requirements, and consistency with priorities in the City's Consolidated Plan. Applications deemed ineligible or incomplete do not advance. The Mayor, Community Development Director, and Community Development Advisory Committee review submitted applications, and awards are to be based on the highest benefit to Kingston residents. Applicants are highly encouraged to participate in assigned one-on-one sessions after applications have been received and vetted, providing an opportunity to present their proposals and answer questions before deliberations. The City's process also includes public participation and public comment before the final Annual Action Plan is submitted to HUD. HUD approval and completion of applicable environmental review requirements must occur before funds may be expended, and applicants acknowledge that reimbursement is unavailable for expenses incurred before HUD approval. The City announced a public hearing for September 10, 2026 and informational sessions for September 15 and September 21, 2026. The application packet's process calendar continues with application vetting and distribution in October, applicant sessions beginning in November, and CDAC deliberations beginning in January 2027 and continuing into March. A FY 2027 CDBG Annual Action Public Hearing is scheduled for March 31, 2027, followed by the public comment process, with submission of the FY 2027 Annual Action Plan to HUD scheduled for May 1, 2027. The funded fiscal year runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028, with quarterly reports identified for October 14, 2027, January 14, 2028, April 13, 2028, and July 14, 2028. The application process is annual, and the packet states that a new set of dates beginning September 2027 will be provided for the FY 2028 application process. Questions may be directed to Amee Peterson at 845-334-3960 or apeterson@kingston-ny.gov, or Amanda Bruck, Director of the Office of Community Development, at 845-334-3930 or abruck@kingston-ny.gov.

Submit sufficiently before the deadline so all required information can be confirmed as received; incomplete or late applications will not advance. Demonstrate that at least 51% of direct beneficiaries are low- and moderate-income persons. Align the proposal with the City's 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan priorities. Carefully select the HUD Matrix Code and National Objective because an incorrect selection may make the proposal ineligible. Clearly document the required 25% match and organizational capacity to spend funds within the fiscal year. Participate in the encouraged one-on-one applicant session after completeness review.