NORRISTOWN, PA – Through a recent proclamation, the Montgomery County Commissioners have recognized April 10-14, 2023, as National Community Development Week. The National Community Development Act was passed through bipartisan legislation in 1974, and since 1975, Montgomery County has received over $172 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
“CDBG funds help provide crucial support and services to strengthen many neighborhoods across Montgomery County,” said Deputy Director of Community Development Terry McMullen with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Housing and Community Development. “Our community has greatly benefited from this program – especially people with low- and moderate-incomes.”
National Community Development Week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the impact that CDBG funds have on communities throughout the United States. The purpose of the CDBG Program is to support the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities for people with low- and moderate-incomes.
In honor of the week, the Montgomery County HHS Office of Housing and Community Development is highlighting the importance of recent community development projects and their impact on Montgomery County communities. Projects supported by CDBG funds in 2022 include street improvements, storm sewer improvements, the addition of curb ramps to sidewalks to improve accessibility, and operations for emergency shelter. These recent projects have supported communities in Bridgeport Borough, Pottstown Borough, West Conshohocken Borough, Telford Borough, East Greenville Borough, Jenkintown Borough, Springfield Township, and more.
The CDBG program, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is one of the few flexible sources of federal funds that remain available to governments for community development. Projects must primarily benefit people with low- and moderate-incomes. The HHS Office of Housing and Community Development administers the program for Montgomery County except for the following jurisdictions: Abington Township, Conshohocken Borough, Lower Merion Township, and Norristown Municipality.
People interested in learning more about the Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant Program and its impact, contact Ruth Almy at ruth.almy@montgomerycountypa.gov.