This week, April 5-9th, is National Community Development Week. It’s an opportunity for residents to learn more about the many ways that local governments partner with non-profits and foundations to help vulnerable individuals and families in our community overcome challenges by finding affordable places to live, improving their neighborhoods, and preventing homelessness. Each year, the city receives approximately $5 million in federal grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds come from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. In 2020-2021, the City also received additional grant funding to respond to the widespread impacts of COVID-19. The grants are designed to be flexible, giving the community the opportunity to decide locally where the funds are needed most. Each year, the City’s Community Development Division engages in a robust stakeholder process to establish priority uses for the funds and support key projects with outsized impact. From new affordable housing developments to improved neighborhood safety and essential home repairs designed to keep seniors safely in their homes, the list of noteworthy projects is long and varied.