Community Development Block Grant

Fiscal Year 2007-08 marks Newport's 30th straight year of participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. CDBG is a federally-funded program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD).

Newport receives its CDBG funding through the Rhode Island Small Cities program, administered by the State of Rhode Island Department of Administration - Office of Housing and Community Development.

CDBG funds may be used for a variety of local activities that include capital projects, housing, community services, and economic development. All activities must provide benefit to low and moderate income individuals.

Newport is one of three "Entitlement" communities within Rhode Island's Small Cities CDBG program (Central Falls and West Warwick are the others). As an Entitlement community, Newport is assured of receiving a minimum of $400,000 in annual CDBG funds to be used to benefit low and moderate income residents in a pre-approved Entitlement Area.

In Newport's case, the currently approved Entitlement Area comprises the Broadway and North End neighborhoods. In addition to the $400,000 in Small Cities Entitlement funding, the City may also receive up to $300,000 in additional discretionary CDBG funding. In 2007, Newport was awarded a total of $606,300 for FY 2006-2007.

Questions concerning Newport's Community Development Block Grant program may be addressed to June House, A.I.C.P., Senior Development Planner at 401-845-5474.

Additional information about the Program can be found on the fact sheet, Understanding CDBG.