A focus on community.


The Idaho Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) assists Idaho cities and counties with the development and reinvestment of needed public infrastructure and facilities.

Established as part of the Housing and Community Development Act in 1974, the program is administered by Idaho Commerce with funds received annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Idaho Commerce typically receives about $8 million from HUD annually for the CDBG program.

Idaho CDBG funds are used to construct projects benefiting low-and moderate-income persons and help prevent or eliminate slum and blight conditions in downtowns.

Read more in our CDBG Brochure.

To see if your project is eligible, please review the information below.

Eligible Applicants

NOTE: Only incorporated cities or counties with a population under 50,000 are eligible to apply for Idaho CDBG funds. Special service providers, such as fire districts, senior citizen centers and water or sewer districts, must be sponsored by a city or county.

Project construction or improvement of public infrastructure or facilities must meet at least one of the national objectives to qualify for CDBG funding:

  • Assist with resolving post-disaster infrastructure damage. Funds are awarded based on several factors including percentage of local match, overall need, impact of the project, and readiness to proceed.
  • Benefit at least 51% low–and moderate-income (LMI) persons.
  • Help prevent or eliminate slum and blight conditions (for downtown projects only).

Funds are awarded based on several factors including percentage of local match, overall need, impact of the project, and readiness to proceed.

Note: Entitlement cities and government administrative offices do not qualify.

Eligible Activities

Job Creation

Eligible projects include construction and improvements to public infrastructure or publicly regulated utilities that serve companies that will allow for new job creation. Applications are due the third Monday in March, June, September and December. Grant size is limited to $30,000 per job with a maximum grant of $500,000.

Senior Citizen and Community Centers

Eligible projects include rehabilitation of existing or construction of new senior centers and community centers. Applications are due the first Friday in March. Grant size is limited to $245,000.

Public Facilities and Infrastructure

Eligible projects include the construction or improvement to sewer and water systems, fire stations, medical facilities, domestic violence shelters, public infrastructure to support affordable housing and other public facilities. Applications are due the Friday before Thanksgiving. Grant size is limited to $500,000.

Public Parks

Eligible projects include the construction and improvements to public parks. Funding priority is given to existing parks and focusing on improvements for playgrounds including equipment, ADA accessible restrooms, accessible routes and parking, splash pads, pools, courts and shade structures for playgrounds. Applications are due the third Monday in September. Grant size is limited to $245,000.

Downtown Revitalization

Eligible projects include the construction and improvement to a city’s downtown to prevent slum and blight conditions and contribute to the revitalization of the downtown. Typical scope of work includes sidewalks, parking lots, lighting, ADA accessibility and surface water drainage. Applications are due the Friday before Thanksgiving. Grant size is limited to $500,000.

Post-Disaster

CDBG can be used for construction or repair of damaged public infrastructure caused by a natural event creating a serious threat to the health and safety of a community. Applications are due on an as-needed basis. Grant size is limited to $150,000.

Grant Resources

The Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) application handbook and grant administration manual contain guidelines and forms essential for carrying out a successful ICDBG project.

Whether you are preparing to submit an application or administering an awarded grant, it is important to use the most current versions of these materials to ensure you are complying with state and federal regulations that govern the ICDBG program. The most up-to-date, downloadable versions of the application handbook, grant administration manual and commonly used administrative forms can always be found here using the links below.  

Before the department allows an ICDBG project to begin, a city or county must demonstrate that a certified ICDBG Administrator will be under contract or on staff to manage the day-to-day activities associated with the grant. A list of ICDBG-certified grant administrators with their contact information is available below.

Application Handbook

Grant Administration Manual

Grant Administration Training

Commonly Used Administrative Forms, Fact Sheets, and Memoranda

Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) Information

CDBG Grant Administrators

List of ICDBG Certified Grant Administrators

Citizen Participation Plan

Anti-Displacement and Relocation Plan

Fair Housing

Idaho Housing and Finance Association and Idaho Commerce completed an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice in 2022. The objective of this analysis is to identify the state’s greatest housing needs, examine how the state’s economy has changed, pinpoint residential groups with the greatest housing needs, identify private sector actions and public sector regulations that interfere with housing choice, and develop a plan for responding to barriers in housing choice and economic opportunity.

CDBG Consolidated Planning Documents

2025-29 Consolidated Plan

Annual Action Plans

CAPER (CDBG Year-end Report)

Information and Application

Still have questions regarding the Idaho CDBG application process? Contact the Idaho CDBG team at 208-334-2470 or use the form below.

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