Community Development

Introduction to CDBG

The City of San Marcos Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is financed through funds that the City receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on an annual basis.

The primary objective of the program is the development of viable urban communities. These would be  achieved by providing the following, principally to persons of low and moderate income:

1. Decent housing
2. Expanded economic opportunities
3. A suitable living environment

CDBG grantees (cities) are responsible for assuring that each eligible activity meets one of three national objectives:

• Benefit to low and moderate income persons;
• Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and
• Meet a need having a particular urgency (referred to as urgent need)

Local CDBG programming is developed via a 5 Year Consolidated Plan planning document that guides the use of CDBG funds over a 5 year cycle and establishes local priority needs. 

Action Plans provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan .

The City of San Marcos receives funding based on:

• Annual formula allocations (Entitlement Funding)
• Emergency declarations/natural disasters (Disaster Recovery, Mitigation); and 
• Health emergency response (COVID-19).