Enhancing and supporting resilient, sustainable and affordable communities involves the coordination of community efforts, neighborhood empowerment and leveraging of opportunities and resources.
These strategies and goals make up the backbone of Community Development, and the City of Asheville will spotlight local strategies, partnerships and successes during National Community Development week April 21- 26.
National Community Development Week celebrates and recognizes the important roles of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. These programs, which designate federal funding for local affordable housing and development programs, play a large role inAsheville’s efforts to maintain resilient neighborhoods.
In the past 10 years, the City has received $17,777,924 in CDBG funds and $16,751,112 in HOME funds, for a 10 year total of $34,529,036. More than 85% of this total was distributed to partners of the city of Asheville and a four county consortium consisting of Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and MadisonCounties, for projects and programs providing affordable housing, economic development, public services and public facility improvements.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the CDBG program. Enacted into law in 1974, the CDBG program is the principal federal program providing grants to States, cities, and counties to devise neighborhood approaches that will improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. It is administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HOME program provides grants to States, cities, and counties to create safe, sanitary, and affordable housing conditions in communities nationwide.
Over the course of the week, the City of Asheville will highlight community development programs, initiatives and key players through photos and information on its social media accounts and online platforms. Find more at twitter.com/cityofasheville andfacebook.com/cityofasheville.
For more information, go to http://www.ashevillenc.gov/