About Community Development

On July 1, 2009, Community Development became the newest Division of the Human Services Department. For more than 30 years, Community Development has administered the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Maricopa County. The CDBG program began under Title 1 of the U.S. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. CDBG was created to develop viable communities that provide decent, safe and sanitary housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities primarily for persons of low and moderate income. Through the CDBG program, community development activities are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to benefit low and moderate income persons, eliminate slum and blighted conditions and address urgent need. Maricopa County formed an Urban County comprised of all unincorporated areas within the County and incorporated municipalities which are not eligible to directly receive CDBG funding. The towns of Buckeye, Gila Bend, Guadalupe, Queen Creek, Wickenburg, Youngtown; and the cities of El Mirage, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Tolleson have elected to participate in the Maricopa Urban County. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors established the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) to oversee the Urban County grant programs. The CDAC is made up of elected officials appointed by participating municipalities and individuals representing the County’s five supervisorial districts. In 1992, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) became the second major HUD grant available through Community Development to serve residents of the Urban County. HOME funds can be used for a variety of housing activities benefiting low and moderate income individuals. The Maricopa HOME Consortium was formed to receive HOME funds and provide regional program guidance. Members of the Consortium include the cities of Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe; the Town of Gilbert and Maricopa Urban County serving as lead agency. In 2008 and 2009, Community Development added support for County stimulus grants. With the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Community Development became the administrator of the Maricopa County Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). To stimulate the local economy, HUD provides NSP funding to address the issue of abandoned and foreclosed homes. Subsequently, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 provides funding for shovel-ready infrastructure projects through the CDBG Recovery grant as well as homeless prevention and recovery services through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program.