There are several funding sources available to assist communities in addressing blight within their downtowns. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of those programs. In order to be eligible for funding through this program, the community must meet one of three objectives. These objectives include:

• Benefit to Low- to Moderate-Income persons
• Project must be an Urgent Local Need (happened within the last 18 months)
• Prevention or Elimination of Slum and Blight

Qualifying projects and activities include remediating deteriorated infrastructure and improving living conditions which have a long-lasting effects on community viability. Slum and blight can be addressed on either an area-wide or a spot basis.

For a blight elimination project to qualify on an area basis, the following must occur:

• The local government must pass a formal resolution declaring the area as blight, as defined by Wisconsin Statutes; and,
• At least 25% of the properties throughout the area must experience one or more of the following conditions:
• Physical deterioration of buildings or improvements
• Abandonment of properties
• Chronic high occupancy turnover rates or chronic high vacancy rates in commercial or industrial building
• Significant declines in property values or abnormally low property values relative to other areas in the community
• Known or suspected environmental contamination
• The Public improvements throughout the area are in general state of deterioration, and,
• The assisted activity must address one or more conditions which contribute to the deterioration of the area.

 An activity can qualify as addressing slum and blight on a spot basis also. Spot basis requirements can be met if the community specifically identifies eligible activities that treat one or more of the following conditions:

• Acquisition
• Clearance
• Relocation
• Historic Preservation
• Remediation of environmentally contaminated properties
• Rehabilition of buildings or improvements (limited to eliminating conditions detrimental to public health and safety)

Still have questions, or wondering about requirements in Minnesota, Illinois, or Iowa? Email us at [email protected] to reach one of our funding specialists.