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Community Development Block Grant

Program History

Created by the Nixon Administration in 1974, the Community Development Block Grant Program or CDBG, has been a cornerstone of urban redevelopment for over 35 years.

CDBG was specifically created to meet three National Objectives that were included in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Those National Objectives for CDBG require that the program:

• Benefit residents of distressed neighborhoods who are primarily low- and moderate-income;

• Eliminate slums and blight; or

• Meet an urgent community need where other assistance may not be readily available.

At least one National Objective must be met in order to use CDBG funds for projects or programs.

Consolidated Planning for CDBG

The CDBG Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through partnerships with city, county and state governments. Cities and counties with populations over 50,000 participate as Entitlement Communities; states administer the Small Cities CDBG Program and make CDBG funds available on a competitive basis to cities with populations less than 50,000. One of HUD’s requirements for participating in the CDBG Program is that each local or state government develops a plan that describes housing, homeless, community development and other special needs in the community. Sandy Springs completed its first 5-year Consolidated Plan (2008-12) on June 17, 2008. In addition to adopting a 5-year plan, an Action Plan must also be completed that describes how each year’s CDBG funds will be used to meet the goals described in the Consolidated Plan. Sandy Springs’ Consolidated Plan and the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Action Plans are available for review by clicking the “Reports and Publications” bar at the top of the page.

Sandy Springs CDBG Target Areas

In 2006, following the CDBG regulations, staff analyzed 2000 Census Block Group data and identified eleven Block Groups that met the Area Benefit criteria for CDBG infrastructure projects (24 CFR Part 570.208(a)(1)). In short, Area Benefit criteria require that an infrastructure project funded with CDBG meet the low- and moderate-income (LMI) national objective (there are 3 CDBG national objectives) by documenting that at least 51 percent LMI persons live in a defined area, like a Census Block Group, where an infrastructure project will be completed. Sandy Springs was also identified early in the CDBG qualification process as being an Exception Community, which means that for Area Benefit projects, Sandy Springs must meet a 41.7 percent LMI threshold instead of the required 51 percent. The eleven Block Groups that were identified in 2006 meet the 41.7 percent LMI threshold. Those eleven Block Groups are shown on Map 1 that follows.

Map 1: 2006 CDBG 40.7% LMI Target Area Block Groups Map

Sandy Springs 2008-12 CDBG Infrastructure Project Update

As described in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Action Plans, Sandy Springs has adopted a targeted, multi-year sidewalk improvements project for its CDBG Program. In 2008, a general area was identified for potential sidewalk improvements entered on the Pitts/Ison/Roswell Road intersection. Map 2 shows this general area.

Map 2: 2008 Action Plan Potential Sidewalk Improvements Map

2008 CDBG Sidewalk Project Area

However, in order to undertake a sidewalk construction project in this area, it was necessary to first identify existing conditions, such as utilities, driveways, curb ramps and other structures so that concept and construction plans could be developed. For the 2009 Action Plan, the Mayor and City Council approved the surveying of an area greater than the area identified on Map 2 so as to plan for future sidewalk network improvements. The area identified for surveying in the CDBG Target Areas extends from Dalrymple Road to the City’s northern boundary at the Chattahoochee River. Map 3 shows the area that was identified for surveying and sidewalk design work for CDBG-funded sidewalk improvements.

Map 3: 2009 Action Plan Sidewalk Improvements Survey Area

 The areas highlighted in blue on the east and west sides of Roswell Road were the areas targeted for surveying and design work in the 2009 Action Plan. In order to complete this work, a contract was awarded to the design and engineering firm of Mulkey Engineers and Associates on July 21, 2009. Mulkey Engineers and Associates is a certified Women-Owned Business (WBE) whose home office is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, but whose Georgia office is in Roswell. The contract for surveying and design services was executed on August 6, 2009, for $408,195. The City’s 2008 CDBG allocation and its 2009 CDBG-R (Recovery Act) funds are being used to pay for the contract expenses. The contract is expected to be complete by August 1, 2010. To ensure that funds will be available for construction, all remaining 2008, 2009, 2009 CDBG-R and 2010 CDBG funds have been committed to Phase I construction of the sidewalk improvements, which is anticipated to cover an area from Dalrymple Road to Northridge Road in this first phase. Map 4 shows the area anticipated for Phase I construction.

Map 4: 2010 Action Plan CDBG Sidewalk Construction Area

Using sidewalk survey data, the area shown in Map 5 will be the location of Phase II of the sidewalk construction project that will use 2011 and 2012 CDBG funds. This area illustrates how the City is leveraging its CIP funds with CDBG funds to complete the sidewalk network in these critical target areas and improve the overall pedestrian safety in the area for all City residents and especially LMI residents living in the multifamily properties along Roswell Road. The construction focus area covers the area surveyed from Northridge Road to the city limits at the Chattahoochee River, and will include an area of sidewalk construction on the north side of Hightower Trail. The Mayor and City Council approved a nonsubstantial amendment to the 2008 Action Plan to add surveying and design work on the north side of Hightower Trail at their August 5, 2010, work session to improve pedestrian access to the Community Action Center (CAC). The CAC is a well-established nonprofit that provides a variety of supportive services to LMI persons in Sandy Springs.

Map 5: 2011 Action Plan Phase II Sidewalk Construction Area

What are the Sandy Springs CDBG Sidewalk Project’s Benefits?

Sandy Springs’ Mayor and City Council adopted the City’s first 5-year Consolidated Plan for the CDBG Program on June 17, 2008. The plan directs the funds received through the CDBG Program for the next 5 years to a multi-year sidewalk improvements program. In the survey area along Roswell Road shown on the maps above, residents will soon see existing sidewalks modified to meet ADA standards, which at a minimum will mean new curb ramps with detectable surfaces in certain areas making it easier for the elderly, disabled, visually impaired and those pushing strollers to use the sidewalk. In some areas, residents will also see new sidewalk installed where none currently exists to complete the sidewalk network. This new sidewalk may include curbs, gutters, drainage structures and retaining walls. Brick paving accents and pedestrian lighting will be included as part of the project in certain areas as well to improve the safety and appearance of the network. Completion of Phase I will continue the sidewalk and intersection improvements that are currently underway or already completed along Roswell Road and in other areas of the city.

When work is finished in Phase I, Sandy Springs residents can more easily and safely walk from their neighborhoods to shopping, MARTA, Morgan Falls Park, North Springs High School, Ison Elementary School and other destinations along Roswell Road. Having the option to walk can reduce traffic, improve air quality and lead to better health through exercise.

Annual Reports

HUD also requires that cities and counties participating in the CDBG Program publish an annual report, called the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). For Sandy Springs, the report is due the last day of September each year as the City’s Consolidated Plan program year ends the last day of June. Sandy Springs follows a July 1-June 30 fiscal year. Sandy Springs’ first CAPER for the 2008 program year was adopted by the Mayor and City Council on September 15, 2009, for submission to HUD by September 30, 2009. Work to complete the City’s 2009 CAPER will beginat the close of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2010. Each year’s completed CAPER can be found under “Reports and Publications” at the Related Links bar at the top of this page.

Additional Information

Residents of Sandy Springs who may wish to comment on any of the CDBG planning documents, the CAPER or may have other questions about the City’s participation in the CDBG Program may send email to cdbgprogram@sandyspringsga.gov or call (770) 730-5600.

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