Role of the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (CDBG-AC)
The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (CDBG-AC) advises the Planning & Development Department staff on the proposed use of CDBG funds. This committee is comprised of nine members with interests and backgrounds in understanding the needs of low-income persons and special needs populations, human services, affordable housing, real estate development, and program management. Members must reside within the City of Eugene and may not have a conflict of interest with respect to a CDBG funded activity, agency, or program. The committee meets three to four times a year in the winter and spring. They receive program reviews, solicit and receive written comments from the public, and attend public hearings. Recommendations are posted for public comment and all funding decisions are made by City Council. CDBG funds must be used to support one or more of the strategies identified in the Eugene-Springfield 2020 Consolidated Plan.
In March 2020, the federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) included a special allocation of CDBG funding to help local communities respond to the impacts of coronavirus. This CDBG-CV (CDBG-Coronavirus) funding was a separate grant from the entitlement CDBG grants received on an annual basis from HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development). The City of Eugene received a CDBG-CV1 allocation of $839,940 and a CDBG-CV3 allocation in the amount of $1,016,237. Staff completed separate allocation processes in July 2020 and April 2021 for the use of these funds. Staff submitted Substantial Amendments to the Eugene-Springfield 2020/2021 Action Plan which outlined the use of these funds, which were approved by HUD. The Action Plan and the other Affordable and Community Development plans, including accomplishments for the use of CDBG and CDBG-CV funds (which are reported in the Annual Performance Evaluation Report, or CAPER) are available on the website.
The City of Eugene has a Citizen Participation Plan that outlines the responsibilities to provide opportunities for resident involvement related to HUD funding.