City of McAllen, TX » Community Development Block Grant » CDBG Objectives

The primary objectives of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program are the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Any activity may be financed in whole or in part by CDBG funds only if it accomplishes one of the following national objectives of the block grant program:

A. Principally benefit low and moderate income persons

At least 70% of the City’s CD funds must be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income persons. The low and moderate income benefit is determined either by the income of the household receiving CD services or by geographical location.

B. Aid in the prevention and elimination of slums and blight

If, instead of qualifying under the low/moderate income benefit provision, the activity qualifies under the prevention or elimination of slums and blight provision, it must:

1. be in a slum, blight, deteriorated, or deteriorating area as defined by state or local law; and the area must contain a number of deteriorated or dilapidated buildings or improvements throughout the area. Activities undertaken must be designed to address one or more of the conditions which qualify the area, or
2. be designed to eliminate the specific conditions of blight or physical decay on a spot basis not located in the slum or blighted area.

C. Be designed to meet a need having a particular urgency

To qualify under this criteria an activity must be “designed to alleviate a serious and immediate threat to health or welfare of the community which is of recent origin” and which the City is unable to finance out of its own other sources.

In order to achieve its goal within the permissible limits of three national objectives, the City may contract with agencies who present unique opportunities for the City to maximize the beneficial impact of its resources. Agencies who have programs which are uniquely designed to meet the needs of low and moderate income persons are encouraged to submit a prospectus for consideration.