AGENDA DATE: 8/20/2025
TITLE:
Title
Virginia Community Development Block Grant
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing for approval to submit an application for the 2025 CDBG Competitive Grant program.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Dimock, Herrick, Curfman, Pethia
PRESENTER (S): Stacy Pethia
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally-funded grant program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Since 1982, the DHCD has provided funding to eligible units of local government (in non-entitlement communities only) for projects that address critical community needs, including housing, infrastructure, and economic development. Albemarle County has received numerous grants in previous years to support housing and community improvement initiatives.
The CDBG application process requires that two local public hearings be conducted. The first public hearing was held on August 6, 2025, at which time information was provided on eligible activities that may be funded by a CDBG grant, the amount of funding estimated to be available, past activities undertaken with CDBG funds, and the process for applying for funding. The purpose of this public hearing is to provide information on the proposed project application.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life: Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: As part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Southwood Mobile Home Park, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville (Habitat) is requesting the County submit a CDBG application to support the installation of new public sewer infrastructure in the Southwood community. The proposed activities include a new sewer line in the northeast east corner of the park to replace an inefficient, aging private sewer line currently serving 34 Southwood households, as well as installation of new connections to an existing public sanitary line for 33 mobile home pads currently dependent on septic systems. The total amount of grant funding to be requested is $2 million, which includes $1.875 million in project funding, and $125,000 to cover the costs of grant administration services provided by County.
BUDGET IMPACT: If awarded, the County would receive $125,000 to administer this grant. The balance of grant funds would support the infrastructure development. If awarded, the Board would be asked to appropriate the grant funding received. CDBG projects include various levels of funding to offset administrative costs by awarding such funds based on performance. Staff would administer the grant using a performance-based budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment A) approving the County’s submission of the CDBG application for new infrastructure in the Southwood Redevelopment Project Phase 2 and authorizing the County Executive to execute the application package, as well as any supporting or related contracts or documents required to obtain or accept this grant, once such package, contracts, and/or documents have been approved as to form and substance by the County Attorney, and to take any further action required for this application.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution