The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. The goal of the CDBG program is to encourage the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low- and moderate-income. 

CDBG funds are allocated on a formula basis granted to the County of Hawaiʻi annually to assist in addressing high priority housing and community development needs identified in its 5-year Consolidated Plan primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income persons.

Each funded project must meet one of the National objectives:

• Principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons defined as having an income equal to or less than the Section 8 low-income limit established by HUD. 70% of CDBG funds expended must meet the LMI national objective.
• Aid in the prevention or elimination of Slums or Blight
• Meet a need of “Particular Urgency” referred to as Urgent Need

Program Year 2026 Request for Proposals

The County of Hawaiʻi has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be open from September 2, 2025 to November 14, 2025, closing at 4:30 PM HST. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Neighborly Application Portal. 

View the 2026 CDBG Proposal Guide

Access Neighborly Application Portal: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/hawaiicountyhi/participant

In partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development corporation (HHFDC), public hearings were held on August 14 and 21, 2025 to hear the public's views and comments on housing and community development needs in Hawaiʻi County and the past performance of the CDBG program.

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2025-2029 Consolidated & Action Plan for Federal Funds

The County of Hawaiʻi has submitted its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan (CP) and accompanying 2025 Action Plan (AP) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the CP is to ensure that jurisdictions receiving Federal HUD assistance plan for the housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families in a way that improves the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in a suitable living environment.

The County's CP describes the needs, priorities, funding plans, and program certification requirements over a five-year period. The CP is required to be submitted to HUD for the County to receive its annual CDBG and ESG allocations, and for the State to receive its annual HOME and HTF allocations. The AP details the steps and projects that will be undertaken in the first year of the five-year CP to achieve its strategic goals.

View the 2025-2029 Consolidated/Action Plan

Watch this video to learn more about the Consolidated and Action Plan process.

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Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

• Non-profit Agencies
• Government Agencies
• Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO). Eligibility can be found in Title 24 CFR 570.204.

Eligible Activities

This is not intended to be an inclusive list. Refer to the Federal Register Appendix C, 24 CFR 570.200 to 570.205 for guidance on eligible activities.

Ineligible Activities

This is not intended to be an inclusive list. Refer to the Federal Register Subpart C, 24 CFR 570.207 for guidance in determining eligibility of a project.

Compliance with Applicable State and Federal Regulations

Recipients and sub-recipients selected to receive CDBG funds for eligible projects will be required, if applicable, to certify, provide documentation and assure that it will comply with the following regulations, policies, guidelines, and requirements with respect to the acceptance and use of federal funds.

• Applicable Regulations, Policies, Guidelines, and Requirements for the CDBG Program

Resources

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (Amended)

The County’s Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) is a five-year strategic plan that addresses the County’s housing and community development needs and Federal funding priorities. The Con Plan ensures that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance adequately utilizes and develops a plan for it housing and community development related needs of very low-, low-, and moderate-income families in a way that improves the availability and affordability of decent, safe and sanitary housing in a suitable living environment as well as expands economic opportunities.

In addition to serving as a strategic plan for the County’s priorities and objectives for its HUD programs, the Con Plan is also used as a decision-making tool for the County and to measure the County’s annual accomplishments of its Con Plan’s objectives by HUD. As such, projects seeking CDBG funding must be consistent with the Con Plan and address a priority housing or community development need as well as fulfill a housing or community development goal as outlined in the Con Plan.

The Con Plan was drafted with extensive community input through public hearings and consultation with the Hawaiʻi County Housing Agency, community organizations and government agencies, and by public survey and studies.

2024 Annual Action Plan

2023 Annual Action Plan

2022 Annual Action Plan

The County is required to submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for HUD’s approval that serves as the County’s annual planning document. The AAP addresses the specific activities/projects the County will undertake during the program year to meet the Con Plan objectives with the anticipated annual CDBG fund allocation.

The activities/projects that the County proposes to finance in the AAP are selected in accordance with the County’s Project Evaluation and Rating System. This process involves the rating and ranking of each activity/project by an evaluation committee coordinated by the Office of Housing and Community Development. The evaluation committee submits its recommendation to the Mayor for approval and upon its approval, the AAP is drafted and made available for public comment. A Resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with HUD, along with the AAP with the approved activities/projects, is presented to the Hawaiʻi County Council for adoption. Upon adoption by the Council, the AAP is submitted to HUD for approval by the May 15th deadline.

2024 Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study

The Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study report provides housing planners with data on the housing situation in Hawaiʻi to support planning activities. Research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 and includes housing demand, housing supply, housing prices, affordable housing and needed housing units through 2027.

2019 Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study

Handbook for CDBG Subrecipients on Administrative Systems

This guide was intended to help the Subrecipient understand the basic administrative requirements of the CDBG program, improve the management of program activities through strong business practices, enhance program performance by tracking, reporting and evaluating program activities and outcomes, and ensure accountability and ensure clean audits by documenting compliance with CDBG regulations.

Citizen Participation Plan

The Citizen Participation Plan sets forth the County's policies and procedures for citizen participation. It encourages citizens to participate in and comment on the development of the consolidated plan, any substantial amendments, and the performance reports.

Code of Federal Regulations and Other Program Requirements

• Eligible & Ineligible Activities – 24 CFR 570.200-205, Subpart C
• Grant Administration – 24 CFR 270.500-513, Subpart J
• Other Program Requirements – 24 CFR 570.600-614, Subpart K
• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards – 2 CFR 200

Other CDBG Programs

Community Development Block Grant – CARES (CDBG-CV)
Funding provided Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the CDBG program to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Coronavirus.

Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR)
Funding to help Hawaiʻi County to recover from Presidentially declared disasters. More information can be found at the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department.

Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT)
Funding for areas impacted by recent disasters to carry out strategic and high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses. More information can be found at the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department.

Contact Information

For more information on the CDBG program, please e-mail ohcdcdbg@hawaiicounty.gov.

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