Community Development  

                                      

The mission of the South Portland Community Development Program is to improve the lives of the City’s low-and moderate-income residents.  The program accomplishes this goal by administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is an allocation of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds received through Cumberland County. With these funds, the City and external agencies undertake neighborhood, facility, and housing improvements, economic development, and public services.

CDBG grew out of the consolidation of eight categorical programs under which communities competed nationally for funds. The primary objective of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, is the development of viable urban communities. These viable communities are achieved by providing the following, principally for persons of low and moderate income:

  • Decent housing;
  • A suitable living environment; and
  • Expanded economic opportunities.

  

Department Contact: 

Courtney Kemp, Community Development Coordinator 

South Portland Community Development Office

496 Ocean Street

South Portland, Maine 04106

207-619-1036

                                            How CDBG Works 

 

          

                                                                                          

 CDBG Application Process

The City accepts applications for CDBG-funding from City departments, non-profit organizations, and businesses that seek funding for eligible public service, public facilities/infrastructure, or economic development projects that meet the goals of the CDBG program. 

Activities that receive CDBG funding must be:

  • Eligible within the program regulations published in the Code of Federal Regulations (24 CFR Part 570), and
  • Meet one of the three National Objectives of the program established by Congress:

Goal 1: Provide a benefit to low and moderate-income persons;

Goal 2: Prevent or eliminate slum and blight; OR

Goal 3: Meet an urgent community need that threatens the health or welfare of residents.

The Community Development Advisory Committee considers all applications received by the deadline in public meetings held at City Hall.  These meetings provide applicants the opportunity to describe their projects and answer any questions.  Notices of the meetings are posted in City Hall and on the City's website.