Kings County
Community Development Block Grant Program

Program Description

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The California program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The primary objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. "Persons of low and moderate income" or the "targeted income group" (TIG) are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80 percent of the county median income, with adjustments for family or household size.

Each year the State of California makes funds available to eligible cities and counties through several allocations: General and Native American, Economic Development, Planning and Technical Assistance, and Colonias. The funds are awarded to jurisdictions on a competitive basis. Successful applicants enter into contracts with the State to complete the specified activities with the grant funds.

Each year Kings County may apply for up to a combined total of $800,000 under both the General Allocation and Economic Development components of the CDBG program. The maximum amount per application is $500,000. Grants up to $35,000 per year from the General Planning and Technical Assistance allocation and $35,000 per year for Economic Development Planning and Technical Assistance allocation may be awarded and do not count toward the $800,000 cap.

Potential projects under General Allocation include housing acquisition, housing rehabilitation, new construction, public works and community facilities. Potential projects under Economic Development include business loans, infrastructure grants, micro enterprise assistance, and other types of loans and grants for businesses. Projects funded with CDBG allocations must carry out at least one of three National Objectives as follows: benefit to targeted income group persons, elimination of slums and blight, or meeting urgent community development needs.

Kings County Programs

Housing Rehabilitation Program

Kings County offers housing rehabilitation assistance to home owners who qualify. A home owner may receive help when their home has health and safety problems such as a leaky roof or poor electrical wiring. The County will loan the home owner up to $177,667 to bring the home up to code and the program can provide new carpet, paint and other fixtures. The loan can be deferred until the home owner sells the home or is able to begin payments or loans are made at a low interest rate, approximately 3%. The County will have a lien on the property until repayment is made in full. Rehab in Kings County is provided by Self-Help Enterprises and information can be received by calling Rudy Quintana at 651-1000, extension 664 or you can also receive information by calling Chuck Kinney with the Kings County Planning Agency at 582-3211, extension 2674.

HOME Buyer Program

Kings County also participates in a first time home buyers program. Essentially, the County will loan a qualified first time home buyer up to $161,854 (for a three bedroom house) to help a person qualify for home purchase. The loan is in the second position and is deferred for the life of the first loan or until the home owner sells the house. This program is available in all the unincorporated areas of Kings County and is administered by Self-Help Enterprises. Information about this program can be obtained by calling 651-1000, extension 642 or you can also receive information by calling Chuck Kinney with the Kings County Planning Agency at 582-3211, extension 2674.

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