County Celebrates National Community Development Week

Spotlighting the Impact and Achievements of Federal Grants

April 6, 2026 – National Community Development (NCD) Week is an annual celebration of the lasting impact and accomplishments of the Federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs. Throughout the week, communities nationwide showcase the locally driven projects and services made possible by these Programs, while underscoring the continued need for Federal investment to sustain their success. 

This year marks the 52^nd Anniversary of the CDBG Program, and Los Angeles County is proud to promote awareness, education, and advocacy for these vital community resources. This milestone recognizes the important role CDBG has played in strengthening neighborhoods and communities, while also acknowledging the dedication of community-based organizations, County departments, and participating cities that assist low- and moderate-income residents throughout the County.

For over five decades the CDBG Program has served as a foundation for community empowerment, funding initiatives to address infrastructure, affordable housing, and economic development needs. Recognized as the most successful Federally-supported local Program ever authorized by Congress, the County, through the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), administers the largest CDBG Urban County Program in the nation, covering unincorporated areas and 47 participating cities.

The County’s CDBG Program substantially exceeds the Federal requirement to allocate 70% of its funds to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals. In the past Fiscal Year, the Program allocated a total of $18.6 million, with more than 94% of these funds directly supporting qualified low- and moderate-income individuals.

The CDBG Program’s success lies in its flexibility, enabling local governments to address a wide range of community needs, such as the revitalization of local infrastructure, public services for seniors, youth, and those experiencing homelessness, housing rehabilitation, neighborhood development, and supportive services.

Additionally, the HOME Program has provided crucial funding to ensure safe, affordable places to live. Since its inception in 1992, the County has successfully invested over $355.8 million in HOME funds to finance innovative housing programs and projects for low-income families, including the construction of affordable housing. The HOME Program’s leverage capacity is particularly impactful, with a leveraging ratio of 5.1 times for rental projects, resulting in over $1.22 billion in local housing investments.

The LACDA’s Executive Director, Emilio Salas, states, “Our agency is deeply committed to engaging residents and local businesses throughout the year, ensuring that community voices shape our understanding of local needs and guide meaningful, strategic investments. During NCD Week, we proudly celebrate our mission to Build Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods. It’s a mission that inspires us to deliver CDBG- and HOME-funded programs that create opportunity, strengthen communities, and uplift individuals, families, and businesses in the County.”

Although these programs deliver essential and impactful results, they continue to face challenges from proposed budget cuts. Level funding does not keep pace with rising costs, thus reducing availability to low- and moderate-income individuals from accessing programs. For Federal Fiscal Year 2026, the CDBG Program is allocated $3.30 billion, and the HOME Program will receive $1.25 billion. We urge you to join us in advocating for the preservation of these Programs by telling Congress how vital CDBG and HOME are to your community. Click here to find your U.S. House and Senate representatives.