General Purpose Grants

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) General Purpose Grants are made available annually through a competitive application process to assist Washington State small cities, towns and counties in carrying out significant community and economic development projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The Washington State CDBG Program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Examples of eligible General Purpose Grant activities include:

  • Public facilities, such as water, wastewater and streets
  • Community facilities, such as community centers, fire stations, homeless shelters and child care facilities
  • Economic development, such as microenterprise assistance and public infrastructure
  • Affordable housing and housing rehabilitation

2019 CDBG General Purpose Grant Application Period Closed

The 2019 CDBG General Purpose Grant application period closed on June 5, 2019. Click here to see a summary of the 43 funding applications requesting almost $22 million.  The total amount of General Purpose funding available in 2019 is approximately $10 million.  CDBG staff are currently reviewing the applications and will announce awards by mid-September.

Click here to see the 2019 General Purpose Grant Application Handbook, including forms and instruction, if you’re thinking of applying in 2020.  This is provided for informational purposes only.  Material for the next Application Cycle will be available in March 2020 with applications due June 3, 2020. 

Affordability Review Form (Excel) for rate-based projects.

Funds Available

We estimate $10 million will be available for CDBG General Purpose Grants in 2019. The maximum amount is $750,000 for construction and $24,000 for planning.

Eligibility Guidelines

Eligible applicants are Washington State cities and towns with less than 50,000 in population or counties with less than 200,000 population not participating in a CDBG Entitlement Urban County Consortium.

Special purpose districts, public housing authorities, port districts, community action agencies, economic development councils, other non-profit organizations, and Indian tribes are not eligible to apply directly to the state CDBG Program for funding, but may be a partner in projects and sub-recipient of funding through eligible jurisdictions.

Projects must principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.

Under limited circumstances, a local government could submit up to four unrelated General Purpose Grant applications each annual funding cycle. One for construction/acquisition, one for microenterprise assistance, one for housing rehabilitation, and one for planning-only activities.

Program Links

CDBG Home Page
CDBG Specialty Grants
Consolidated Plan and Action Plan

Award Lists

2018 General Purpose Grant Awards (PDF)
2017 General Purpose Grant Awards (PDF)
2016 General Purpose Grant Awards (PDF)

Technical Assistance Resources

CDBG Fact Sheet – English (PDF)
CDBG Fact Sheet – Spanish (PDF)
Management Handbook & Forms
Guidance Materials
2019 HUD LMI data for non-entitlement jurisdictions (PDF)
HUD LMI Interactive Map
Drinking water and wastewater funding summary (PDF)
Public Works Board
Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC)
Municipal Research Services Center of Washington
SAM – System for Award Management
US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Need help?

Kaaren Roe, Section Manager
Kaaren.Roe@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3018

Jacquie Andresen, Project Manager
Jacquie.Andresen@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3017

Roberta Golden, CDBG Grant Specialist
Roberta.Golden@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-5020

Jeff Hinckle, Project Manager
Public Services and Planning Activities
Jeff.Hinckle@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3060

Sheila Lee-Johnston, CDBG State Expert
Sheila.Lee-Johnston@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3009

Genny Matteson, Project Manager
Housing Activities
Genny.Matteson@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3093

Michelle Reilly, Project Manager
Michelle.Reilly@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2725