Arlington Celebrates National Community Development Week

ARLINGTON, MA — The Town of Arlington’s Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is joining the National Community Development Association and organizations and municipalities across the U.S. to celebrate National Community Development Week from April 11 through 15.

The featured event, a tour of Arlington organizations supported by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, included stops at the Arlington Council on Aging, the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, Fidelity House, and Whittemore Park. A weeklong social media campaign will highlight Arlington’s CDBG recipient organizations and their work supporting the community.

The CDBG program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides grants to state and local governments. CDBG supports activities including housing preservation and creation, youth and senior services, small business assistance, and park renovations. Activities funded by CDBG serve primarily individuals and households who make a low-to moderate-income, as well as seniors and persons with disabilities. As an entitlement community, Arlington has received CDBG funds for 47 years and is in the process of planning for its 48th year as a recipient community.

The town is also in the process of completing a 1-Year Annual Action Plan for the CDBG Program for submission to HUD. The draft plan is available for review and public comment from Friday, April 1 through Monday, May 2. Members of the public are invited to attend a Public Hearing on the Annual Action Plan, to be held on Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. Learn more and register to attend the public hearing at arlingtonma.gov/cdbg.

The CDBG Program was created in 1974 as part of Title I of the HCD ACT of 1974, as amended, and is run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to the National Community Development Association, every $1 of CDBG leverages another $4 in funding from other source, ; bringing additional resources to communities that support jobs, businesses, and residents.

All questions regarding the CDBG program may be directed to Mallory Sullivan, Community Development Block Grant Administrator, at 781-316-3094 or mjsullivan@town.arlington.ma.us.