Community Development Block Grants and HOME Grants
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
CDBG funds are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on an annual basis to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services, principally to benefit low-and moderate-income persons. CDBG Provides a flexible source of funding viable urban communities by providing decent affordable housing, creating suitable living environments, expanding economic opportunities, and/or improving community facilities and services, principally to benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The City, with the participation of local citizens, allocates resources toward projects that qualify as meeting one or more of the following three (3) broad national objectives set by Congress.
1. Benefit low and moderate-income persons:
2. Aide to prevent or eliminate slums and blight; or
3. Meet other community development needs in an urgent situation.
HOME Program
The City of Independence is a Participating Jurisdiction (PJ) utilizing federal HOME Funds which are specifically focused on the development of affordable housing. This may include the construction or rehabilitation of rental housing, the development of new housing for home ownership, and down payment assistance for first-time home buyers to assist in acquiring a city-funded NSP or HOME property. Funding can be used by for-profit and not-for-profit developers. Eligibility and appropriateness of project(s) are determined on a case-by-case basis. The City currently is focusing HOME resources on new housing development and scattered-site rehabilitation and resale of existing homes in the City. HOME housing units are restricted to income-eligible persons who meet standard mortgage underwriting guidelines.
CDBG Advisory Committee
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee meets annually to establish review criteria, review applications for Public Service CDBG funding, and to formulate a recommendations to the City regarding the appropriate allocation of Public Service CDBG funds.
Seven (7) Independence residents with an interest in serving the housing and community development needs of the City, each of which are appointed annually by one of the following organizations:
- Independence School District
- Independence Advisory Board of Public Health
- Independence Ministerial Alliance
- Independence Chamber of Commerce
- Truman Heartland Community Foundation
- Labor Management Council
- Service Organization Representative (rotating between Rotary, Lions & Kiwanis)
| Sequeira, Nicole | Independence School District |
| Terry Morris | Independence Advisory Board of Health |
| King, Kevin | Labor Management Council of Greater Kansas City |
| Moentmann, Melanie | Truman Heartland Community Foundation |
| Schofield-Wimberly, Reverend Sarah 2018-19 Chairperson | Independence Ministerial Alliance |
| Laurie Wiley | Independence Chamber of Commerce |
| Chuck Foudree | Independence Rotary Club |