Small, rural cities/towns and counties that are not entitled to receive CDBG funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can apply for a state CDBG grant.

List and map of local governments served by state CDBG program 

Special purpose districts, public housing authorities, community action agencies, economic development councils, other non-profit organizations, and Indian tribes are not eligible to apply directly to the state CDBG Program for funding but may be a subrecipient and partner with an eligible city, town or county applicant. 

Eligible Project Tests 
CDBG Eligible Activities 

The CDBG program can fund a wide range of activities including:

• Community facilities 
• Housing rehabilitation, infrastructure in support of affordable housing
• Sewer, water, streets/sidewalks and other infrastructure 
• Economic development, local micro-enterprise assistance programs
• Planning
• Public Services

Activities must principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Low- and moderate-income is defined as 80 percent of county median income. 

We anticipate our next funding cycle to open in April 2024. 

CDBG Program Priorities:

• Financial need- Prioritizing applicants who do not have viable access to other funds/resources.
• Funding readiness- Prioritizing applicants who have secured all other funds. 
• Funding efforts- Prioritizing applicants who have pursued other funding. 
• Equity- Prioritizing communities who have not recently received CDBG funding and who do not have open CDBG contracts for similar activities. 

CDBG General Purpose Grants are available annually through a competitive application process to assist Washington State small cities, towns and counties in carrying out significant community and economic development projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The Washington State CDBG Program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Examples of eligible General Purpose Grant activities include:

• Public facilities, such as water, wastewater, streets and sidewalks
• Community facilities, such as community centers, libraries, food banks and fire stations
• Local assistance programs such as housing rehabilitation

Additional Resources:
Technical Assistance Resources/Guidance Materials
2023 General Purpose Program Overview

The state CDBG program annually awards Public Services Grants to 17 non-entitlement counties throughout Washington State. These grants support partnerships with regional community action agencies that provide services to address the root causes of poverty, and help low-income families and individuals regain or retain self-sufficiency. 

Annual award amounts are formula-based on service area population and poverty rate. For the 2023 Public Services Grant program year (July 1,2023 – June 30, 2024), eligible counties will receive the 2023 CDBG Public Services Grant Amounts through a contract amendment as supplemental funding. 

Contact your CDBG contract manager to amend your Public Services Grant contract. 

Contact information for urban city and county CDBG Entitlement Programs that receive CDBG funds directly from HUD rather than through the state.

Contact information for the Indian Community Development Block Grant Program