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Home / Community & Economic Development / Community Development / CDBG/Home

CDBG/Home

The CDBG-Exterior Building Improvement Program 2019 Action Plan Amendment is proposed to offer $120,000 in total assistance to building owners making ADA and other improvments to the exterior of their buildings. Comments on this activity may be sent to mbrett@bethlehem-pa.gov.  The city will hold a virtual public hearing June 10, 2020 at 3 p.m. to consider the proposed substantial change to the FY 2019 CDBG Annual Action Plan.  To participate, please dial (224) 501-3412, access code 522-823-741.  All interested persons, groups, and organizations are encouraged to participate in this council meeting to speak on the proposed amendment for the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan.  

Information on the Exterior Building Improvement Program Action Plan amendment can be found at the following link: Cares Act Amendment Ad

As a HUD CDBG Entitlement Community, the City of Bethlehem PA has adopted a Citizen Participation Plan to encourage community involvement in the development of the Consolidated Plan (ConPlan), Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), Consolidated Annual Action Plan, the Assessment of Fair Housing and Plan, and any substantial amendments to any of the documents deemed necessary relating the use of CDBG and HOME funds. 

Citizen Participation Plan


Each year, the City of Bethlehem receives funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant Program (Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended), and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended).

The primary objective of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income.  The City utilizes these funds primarily for the revitalization of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods through the rehabilitation of the existing housing stock and physical improvements to public facilities.  In addition, the City funds economic development activities, purchases, and law enforcement activities, which complement the usual “bricks and mortar” approach to revitalization.  This strategy is to ensure that all of the needs of neighborhood residents are being addressed through improving the quality of life for our citizens.

Included among the objectives of the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program is the expansion of the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income households and the strengthening of partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, in the production and operation of affordable housing.

The 2020 Action Plan for the CDBG and HOME programs was approved by City Council and is available for review.  2020-Applicant-List-with-recommendations-to-Council

Please contact Michael Brett, Housing and Community Development Planner by email to mbrett@bethlehem-pa.gov or by calling the Department at 610-865-7085. 

The link below provides the approved activities for the 2019 CDBG and HOME programs. The actual amount awarded from HUD will not be known until mid-2019. The awards specified are based on Bethlehem’s past HUD allocation and final amounts may change. 
Website Summary Sheet