A Federal Grant Program

The Administration, Planning, and Finance Departments manage the Town’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  This federal grant program is made available for cities to benefit low and moderate income individuals.  The Town uses these federal funds for a variety of public services and infrastructure improvement projects in the community.

The Town annually submits both an Action Plan and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  These reports describe the manner in which the Town uses grant funds provided by the federal government.  Copies of these reports can be made available at no charge by contacting the Administration Department or the City Clerk.

The 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan - Proposed

The Town's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan details proposed CDBG projects and activities for the period of April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. Per the Town's Public Participation Plan for the CDBG Program, a public hearing and 30-day comment period were held for the review of the proposed plan in February/March 2018.  No comments were received during the comment period or at the March 19th public hearing, but input is still welcome.

The Town’s annual entitlement grant allocated to proposed projects and activities for fiscal year 2018-2019 is estimated to be $396,000.  In addition to this estimated grant amount, the Town expects to have $2,000 in program income. The proposed Annual Action Plan includes the goals and funding objectives listed below.

The Town plans to provide funding for:

• Public services, which include youth education and  family activities at the Unity Community Center and homeless outreach services through PATH  ($59,400)
• Down payment assistance to eligible LMI home buyers to help foster home ownership  ($24,000)
• Street resurfacing and sidewalk reconstruction in eligible LMI neighborhoods  ($224,000)
• Sewer service improvements in eligible LMI neighborhoods  ($51,785)

The Proposed Action Plan is available for review via the link below and in printed form at the Town Clerk’s office in Uptown Station (11 Uptown Circle) and the Normal Public Library (206 W College Ave) during regular office hours. 

The Action Plan was prepared in accordance with regulations established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for CDBG entitlement communities.

Please contact Taylor Long, (309) 454-9642, or via email tlong@normal.org, should you have any questions.

Proposed 2018-19 Annual Action Plan

5-Year Consolidated Plan

As part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the Town is required to submit a 5-Year Consolidated Plan detailing the proposed goals and objectives with respect to use of CDBG grant funds.  The Consolidated Plan covers the period beginning in fiscal years 2015-2016 through 2019-2020.  The Plan also includes the 2015-2016 Annual Action Plan which details the proposed goals, objectives, and projects for entitlement funding awarded for fiscal year 2015-2016.

The Consolidated Plan's  goals and objectives were established based upon market and needs analysis.  As well as through examination of data sources at the federal, state, and local level including US Census data and the 2014 Community Assessment which included focus groups and key informant interviews. 

Specifically, the Town has identified the following community development priorities and investment goals:

• Provide funding for public services for youth education which provide economic opportunities to residents, and fund homeless outreach services to help reduce homelessness and provide a suitable living environment.
• Provide funding for street resurfacing and improvements to maintain public infrastructure and create suitable living environments
• Provide down payment assistance to local home buyers to maintain local housing stock and reduce cost barriers to affordable housing.
• Provide financial assistance to homeowners for clearance activities to create suitable living environments and maintain local housing stock
• Provide funding for public facilities improvements, including those related to public transportation, to create a suitable living environment
• Provide funding for sidewalk and ADA ramp construction
• Provide funding for at least one rehabilitation project

Priority needs and investment goals were identified to reflect fluctuations in CDBG entitlement funding from year to year, respond to demand and capacity for carrying out desired CDBG activities, and to maintain compliance with Department of Housing and Urban Developing CDBG guidelines.

The Consolidated Plan is available via the link below and in print at the Town Clerk's office and the Normal Public Library.

2015-2019 Consolidated Plan

2014 Community Needs Assessment

The 2014 Community Needs Assessment was led by the United Way of McLean County, through collaboration with the Applied Social Research Unit (ASRU) of Illinois State University, students, and community members.  Data collection methods included surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, and analysis of community data.  The goal of the assessment was to identify health and human services needs throughout McLean County, including needs specific to the Town of Normal.  The Town of Normal is proud to be a contributor to the 2014 Community Assessment, and will use the data collected towards preparation of future Community Development Block Grant plans and activities.  The report and accompanying executive summary can be found online at the United Way of McLean County website.

Emergency Repair and Accessibility Program

The Town of Normal also offers an Emergency Repair and Accessibility Program (ERAP) for home owners in the community. This program is integrated with the activities of the CDBG program; however, does not utilize federal CDBG funding. The ERAP is administered through PATH, Inc. Click on the link in the left hand column for more information.