Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.
 

Upcoming Events & Trainings
The Office of Community Renewal (OCR) participates in and hosts events throughout the year to support local governments, consultants, and partner organizations. Below is a list of upcoming conferences, trainings, and other events where attendees can learn more about Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs, eligible activities, and program requirements. 
 

Event: Tug Hill Commission Local Government Workshop

Location: Turning Stone Conference Center, Verona, NY

Schedule: April 20 – 21, 2026

OCR Participation: OCR will exhibit and be available at the booth to provide program information and technical assistance.

Description: This annual conference provides training and information for local officials, board members, and municipal staff across the Tug Hill region. Sessions cover a range of topics including planning, zoning, infrastructure, and local government operations, with opportunities to engage with state agencies and technical assistance providers.

Event: Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast - Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit

Location: Herkimer County Community College

Schedule: April 21 – 22, 2026

OCR Participation: OCR will exhibit and be available at the booth to provide program information and technical assistance.

Description: This regional event brings together public and private sector partners to explore redevelopment opportunities at brownfield sites across the Mohawk Valley. Attendees can learn about available resources, funding, and strategies for site redevelopment, while connecting with local, state, and federal partners involved in revitalization efforts. 
 

Event: Adirondack Planning Forum

Location: Hotel Saranac, Saranac Lake, NY

Schedule: May 6 – 7, 2026

OCR Participation: OCR will present on Work Force Housing and Move-In NY and will also be available at the exhibit booth to provide additional information and technical assistance.

Description: Hosted by the Adirondack Park Agency, this annual forum provides training and information for planning and zoning board members, local officials, and practitioners. The event features sessions on land use, housing, zoning, and community development, along with opportunities to learn about current Adirondack initiatives and funding programs.

Event: NY Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting

Location: The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, NY

Schedule: May 13 – 15, 2026

OCR Participation: OCR will present on helping communities understand how to use planning more effectively for funding and will also be available at the exhibit booth to provide additional information and technical assistance.

Description: Hosted by the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, this annual event provides training, policy updates, and networking opportunities for city and village officials across New York State. Sessions focus on municipal operations, infrastructure, planning, and emerging issues affecting local governments, with opportunities to engage directly with state agencies and program partners.

Event: NYRWA 47^th Annual Technical Training Workshop

Location: Turning Stone Conference Center

Schedule: May 18 – 20, 2026

OCR Participation: OCR will moderate a panel on drinking water programs and will also be available at the exhibit booth to provide additional information and technical assistance.

Description: This annual training event brings together water and wastewater professionals, municipal officials, and system operators from across New York State. The conference offers technical training sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall featuring organizations that support infrastructure, compliance, and system operations. 

Upcoming Training

Stay tuned for upcoming training on the 2026 CDBG Application cycle.

The Office of Community Renewal (OCR) will offer a comprehensive Webex training series designed to help communities develop competitive, well-positioned applications for 2026 funding.

Sessions will cover all eligible program areas, including housing, infrastructure, public facilities, economic development, microenterprise, imminent threat, and community planning. In addition to a detailed overview of application requirements, OCR will provide practical guidance on how to strengthen project readiness, align with program priorities, and effectively utilize the CFA and CDOL systems.

Upcoming Funding Opportunities – 2026

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR), through its Office of Community Renewal (OCR), is developing the 2026 funding round for NYS CDBG.

Communities are encouraged to begin planning and to monitor OCR communications for upcoming announcements regarding funding availability, eligible activities, and application timelines.

For questions or to discuss potential project ideas in advance of the 2026 funding round, contact [email protected].

Grant Administration Manual

Eligibility

The Office of Community Renewal administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the State of New York. The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Eligible Communities List

Determining LMI Data

The state must ensure that no less than 70% of its CDBG funds are used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons. The program objectives are achieved by supporting activities or projects that benefit low- and moderate-income families; create job opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons; prevent or eliminate blight; or address a community development need that poses a serious and imminent threat to the community's health or welfare. Projects that are proposing a National Objective of LMA or low-and moderate-income area benefit must be able to demonstrate that at least 51% of beneficiaries are LMI. To assist in determining potential eligibility for a community, click the low-and moderate (LMI) eligibility map tool below.  For assistance in using this tool, please contact [email protected] or any CDBG Project Manager.

Low-and-Moderate (LMI) eligibility map tool

Grant Agreement

Project Start-Up

 Environmental Review

Disbursement of CDBG Funds

CDBG Reporting

General Grant Administration

Microenterprise

General Application

CDBG 2026 CFA - OPEN

CDBG 2025 Housing - CLOSED

HTFC may, at its sole discretion, directly fund eligible CDBG activities that demonstrate need and viability.  Eligible cities, towns, villages, and counties may submit a project summary and preliminary budget to [email protected] for consideration.  Requests must explain why the proposal cannot be served by current CDBG activities or funding rounds being offered in addition to demonstrating CDBG eligibility, need, and timing/schedule. 

Grant Related Links

Previous Workshops and Presentations