The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, run by the U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD), is a helping hand for communities aiming to become better places to live. It offers yearly financial support to states, cities, and counties, helping them improve housing, create welcoming living spaces, and open up new job opportunities, mainly for families and individuals with lower incomes.
The Town of Cicero receives this support based on specific criteria set by HUD. But getting these funds isn’t just about receiving a check; it involves careful planning and reporting. Cicero has laid out a detailed plan for the next five years — this is our roadmap showing how we intend to use the funds to make a real difference in the community. Each year, we spell out our specific goals and projects for the coming 12 months.
It doesn’t stop there. Cicero keeps everyone informed about how things are going. Through something called the Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER), we share our progress, challenges, and successes. This ensures transparency and accountability, showing that the funds are truly making a positive impact in the community.
Quick Links
- Important Notices
- Five-Year Consolidated Plan
- Annual Action Plans
- Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER)
- CDBG Management Schedule
- Citizen Participation Plan
- Public Services & Facilities
- Residential Rehabilitation Programs
- HUD Income Limits
- Eligible Projects
- How Do I Apply?
- Emergency Solutions Grant
- Former Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)
- CDBG General Information
- HUD Requirements For Grantees
- Federal & HUD Regulations
- Subrecipient Training
- Contracting For CDBG-Assisted Projects
- Who Can I Contact?
March 14, 2024:
Notice of Funding Availability (See Links Below for Applications)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Application
February 19, 2024:
March 5, 2023:
Notice Of Finding, Intent On HUD-Assisted Projects & Environmental Assessment
Información Sobre Una Encuesta Comunitaria Para Brindar Comentarios Sobre La Vivienda
The Consolidated Plan acts as a strategic guide for states and local areas, including Cicero, to thoroughly evaluate our needs for affordable housing and community development, as well as to understand the dynamics of our local markets. This plan is not just about gathering data; it’s about making informed, strategic decisions on where to invest resources to make the most significant impact. It sets the stage for a broad-based community conversation, bringing various stakeholders together to pinpoint and prioritize housing and development goals that are in tune with the community’s needs and aspirations.
The process is anchored in the principles of providing quality housing, ensuring a conducive living environment, and fostering economic growth that benefits primarily those with low to moderate incomes. By focusing on these areas, the plan aims to create a foundation for a thriving, equitable community.
With a horizon of five years, the Consolidated Plan offers a long-term vision. It comprehensively maps out the town’s housing and community development landscape, cataloging both the challenges and the resources at hand. This document doesn’t just list problems; it lays out a strategic approach to tackling them, prioritizing actions based on the community’s needs and the potential impact of different initiatives. Through this plan, programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) are directed where they can do the most good, aligning with the community’s broader goals for improvement and growth.
The Annual Action Plan serves as a detailed agenda for the town, outlining the specific programs, projects, or activities it intends to undertake within the next program year. This plan is a key piece of the puzzle, ensuring that the town’s efforts are not only well-organized but also perfectly aligned with the broader visions set out in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan. By adhering to this overarching strategy, each Annual Action Plan contributes to the cumulative progress towards achieving the town’s long-term goals in housing, community development, and economic opportunities for its low-and moderate-income residents.
To get a clearer picture of the town’s initiatives and how they evolve year over year, you can delve into both the current and past Annual Action Plans. These documents offer a transparent view of the town’s commitments and achievements, providing insight into the targeted efforts made to enhance the quality of life for our residents. By reviewing these plans, stakeholders, including community members, can track the town’s development priorities and the tangible steps being taken to address them.
For a deeper understanding or to explore specific projects and their outcomes, clicking on the links below will grant you access to the detailed Annual Action Plans:
Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is a crucial document mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that cities, towns, and states must submit each year. This comprehensive report combines statistical data, financial statements, descriptive narratives, and visual aids like maps to provide a detailed account of the activities and initiatives undertaken during the program year.
The essence of CAPER lies in its role as a performance assessment tool. It’s not just a record of what was done but a critical evaluation of how the actual outcomes measure up against the planned objectives laid out in the Annual Action Plan and the broader Five-Year Consolidated Plan. This alignment check is vital for ensuring accountability and guiding future planning processes.
By detailing both the accomplishments and the challenges faced, the CAPER offers a transparent overview of the effectiveness of various housing, community development, and economic opportunity initiatives. It’s a way for HUD and the public to see where investments are making a difference in improving the quality of life for low- and moderate-income individuals and to identify areas where adjustments might be needed to better meet the community’s needs.
Town Of Cicero CDBG Annual Management Schedule
The Town’s commitment to inclusive and transparent governance is exemplified in its Citizen Participation Plan. This plan is specifically designed to outline how residents can actively engage in the development and implementation of the Town’s initiatives related to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
The plan details the strategies and methods the Town will employ to ensure that all community members, especially those from low- and moderate-income areas, are aware of and can engage in the CDBG process. This may include various communication channels like local media, social media, community meetings, and direct mailings.
The plan lays out a clear process for how changes or amendments to the CDBG-related plans can be proposed and processed. This is crucial for maintaining flexibility and responsiveness to evolving community needs while ensuring transparency and public input.
The Town commits to holding public hearings at key stages of the CDBG planning and implementation process. These hearings are opportunities for residents to voice their opinions, ask questions, and provide feedback on proposed projects and policies. The plan specifies how and when these hearings will be conducted, ensuring they are accessible and widely publicized.
Ensuring the CDBG-related plans and documents are easily accessible to the public is a priority. The plan describes how these documents will be made available, potentially including online access, copies at public libraries or town offices, and provisions for persons with disabilities or those requiring language assistance.
The Citizen Participation Plan is a testament to the Town’s dedication to involving its residents in shaping the community’s future, particularly in areas like housing, economic development, and community services, which are crucial components of the CDBG Program. This approach not only fosters a sense of community ownership and involvement but also leads to more effective and responsive local governance.
The Town’s approach to utilizing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting public service programs that directly benefit low- and moderate-income residents. By dedicating 15% of its CDBG funds to these programs, the Town is making a significant investment in services that can make a real difference in the lives of its community members.
Regarding the support for public service agencies, the Town is actively involved in assisting a variety of organizations that align with the goals of the CDBG program. These agencies play a critical role in providing essential services to the community, particularly to those in need.
For Public Facility Projects, which are another key component of community development, there isn’t a fixed funding cap. However, the allocation of funds for these projects is governed by the budgetary guidelines and constraints set forth in the Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan. This ensures that the allocation of resources is both strategic and in line with the Town’s broader development objectives.
For organizations interested in applying for funding, the Town releases funding applications for eligible public service agencies and Public Facility Projects annually, typically in February. To obtain an application or for more detailed information, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Argelia Marquez. They can do so either via email at amarquez@thetownofcicero.com or by calling 708-656-8223. This point of contact serves as a resource for guidance and assistance throughout the application process, ensuring that agencies and organizations have the support they need to successfully apply for and potentially receive funding.
Residential Rehabilitation Program
The Town of Cicero’s Department of Housing is actively working on enhancing and updating its Housing Rehabilitation Programs, reflecting a commitment to improving housing conditions and supporting residents in maintaining and upgrading their homes. As new information and updates are finalized, they will be promptly shared with the community.
Currently, the Department offers several valuable programs for homeowner-occupied residential units, each designed to address specific needs:
Emergency Access Grant For People With Disabilities: This program focuses on providing necessary modifications to homes, ensuring accessibility for residents with disabilities.
Emergency Assistance Program: Aimed at addressing urgent repair needs that pose immediate risks to the safety and well-being of residents.
Home Repair Program: Offers support for various home repair needs, helping homeowners maintain their properties in good condition.
Lead Hazard Reduction: This program is crucial for ensuring homes are safe and free from lead-based hazards, which is particularly important in older properties.
Looking ahead, the Town of Cicero is considering the expansion of its Residential Rehabilitation Program to include more comprehensive services. Proposed additions include:
Expanded Home Repair Program: This would broaden the scope of the current home repair assistance, potentially covering more types of repairs or a larger segment of the community.
Weatherization Program: Aiming to help residents improve their homes’ insulation and sealing to reduce energy costs and enhance comfort.
Energy Efficiency Program: This program would focus on upgrades and improvements that increase the energy efficiency of homes, reducing utility costs and environmental impact.
As these plans are still in the developmental stage, more details will be provided to the public as they become available. The Town of Cicero is dedicated to keeping residents informed and involved in these enhancements to their housing support services. Residents interested in these programs or seeking more information should keep an eye on the designated information channels for updates.
To be eligible for assistance under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in the Town of Cicero, applicants must meet certain income guidelines based on household size. These guidelines are designed to ensure that the program benefits individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. Here are the income limits for each household size:
1 Person Household: $61,800
2 Person Household: $70,600
3 Person Household: $79,450
4 Person Household: $88,250
5 Person Household: $95,350
6 Person Household: $102,400
7 Person Household: $109,450
8 Person Household: $116,500
These income limits are crucial in determining eligibility for the CDBG program. Households with incomes exceeding these limits will not qualify for the program. It’s important for potential applicants to be aware of these thresholds to assess their eligibility before applying for CDBG assistance. If you’re considering applying and are unsure about your eligibility, it’s recommended to contact the relevant department in the Town of Cicero for guidance and further information.
Please contact Martha Garcia via email at mgarcia1@thetownofcicero.com or by calling (708) 656-8223
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) represents a significant evolution and expansion of what was previously known as the Emergency Shelter Grant. This program is designed to address a broader range of needs related to homelessness and to provide more comprehensive support to those who are at risk of becoming homeless or who are currently without a home. Here are some key aspects of the ESG program:
ESG extends beyond the traditional emergency shelter support to include homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities. This broader scope is crucial in tackling the root causes of homelessness and providing more sustainable solutions.
The program places a strong emphasis on preventing homelessness for individuals and families at risk, particularly those impacted by economic challenges. Additionally, it aims to quickly re-house those who are currently homeless, reducing the time individuals and families spend without stable housing.
Program Components (as outlined in § 576.100):
Street Outreach: Engaging with individuals and families living on the streets to provide immediate support and connect them with necessary services.
Emergency Shelter: Includes not only temporary housing but also supportive services aimed at assisting residents in their transition to permanent housing.
Homeless Prevention: Providing assistance to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.
Rapid Re-Housing: Assisting those who are homeless to quickly secure permanent housing.
HMIS Component: Utilizing the Homeless Management Information System for data collection and coordination of services.
Administrative Costs: Covering the expenses related to administering the ESG program.
For more details about the Emergency Solutions Grant, specific eligibility criteria, or how to access services, please reach out to Jose Alanis at the Town of Cicero. You can contact him via email at jalanis@thetownofcicero.com
The ESG program is a vital resource for addressing homelessness and its underlying causes, offering a range of services and support designed to provide immediate aid and foster long-term stability for those in need. If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, contacting Jose Alanis for more information is a recommended first step.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)
*No longer being offered by the Town of Cicero**
Below you can see the Quarterly Status Reports for 2018, 2017 and 2016. These documents provide transparency, accountability, and provide insights into the activities, outcomes, and financial status of the various programs managed by the town, including those related to housing and community development. These reports offer a detailed account of the program’s performance, including the number of properties treated, the amount of funds expended, and the impact on the community.
Program Year 2018: QTR 1, QTR 2, QTR 3, QTR 4
Program Year 2017: QTR 1, QTR 2, QTR 3, QTR 4
Program Year 2016: QTR 1
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Guide To National Objectives And Eligible Activities
Regulations On Consolidated Plan
Provisions For Local Action Plan Submission
Environmental Review Requirements And Procedures
Training Subrecipients And Subrecipient Oversight
Playing By The Rules: Subrecipient Training Handbook
Contracting For CDBG-Assisted Projects
Labor Standards: Davis-Bacon: Prevailing Wage
Housing Rehabilitation Program Questions
Subrecipient Information & Technical Assistance