The City of Longmont is celebrating National Community Development Week, April 17-22, 2017 at the April 11 City Council meeting.

First, Longmont Community Services staff will the premiere of a short 3-minute video starring local school kids, and second, Longmont Mayor Dennis Coombs will read a proclamation recognizing the work of Longmont staff.

National Community Development week is a celebration showcasing the impact of the funding received from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs across the country as well as in Longmont.

The CDBG program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is among the few flexible sources of federal funds that remain available to governments for community development projects. At least 70% of the funds used must primarily benefit low-and moderate-income persons and Longmont has surpassed this using over 90% of its funding to benefit its lower income residents. Local development activities such as affordable housing, home rehabilitation programs, homebuyer assistance, small business loans, park improvements, self-sufficiency programs, homeless assistance, and other social service programs have been established in the City of Longmont using CDBG and HOME funding.

This year marks the 43^rd anniversary of the CDBG program, which provides grants to more than 1,200 local governments to improve community, economic and social conditions. On an average every $1 of CDBG leverages $4 in other funds.

The HOME program, now in its 26^th year, provides grants to more than 600 local participating jurisdictions, to create safe and affordable housing in communities nationwide. Every $1 of HOME leverages an additional $4.16 in other funding. These federal funds bring around $650,000 in additional vital resources to Longmont each year.