Community Development

The City of Hot Springs receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an entitlement grantee of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. As the responsible entity, the Planning & Development Department applies for, administers, monitors and reports according to federal regulations.

2022 CDBG Applications

Applications for eligible neighborhood revitalization, economic development, affordable housing and public service projects that benefit low- to moderate-income persons will be accepted through Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 5:00pm.  Please read all instructions before beginning an application and contact Michelle Sestili, CDBG Administrator, for assistance in determining eligibility (501) 276-7934 or msconsulting@outlook.com.

The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) will hold two (2) public meetings to answer questions about the application process: Thursday, December 2, 2021 and January 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers of City Hall, 133 Convention Blvd.
  1. 2022 CDBG Application Instructions
  2. 2022 CDBG Application - Economic Development FILLABLE
  3. 2022 CDBG Application - Housing FILLABLE
  4. 2022 CDBG Application - Municipal Projects on Public Property FILLABLE
  5. 2022 CDBG Application - Non Municipal and Public Service Projects FILLABE

Annual Action Plan

The City of Hot Springs has been allocated $445,947in CDBG funding for fiscal year 2021 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The Annual Action plan describes the activities that will be undertaken and how funds will be distributed to meet community development and housing needs, during each year of a Consolidated Plan. 

Consolidated Plan

The Consolidated Plan serves as a comprehensive planning documents discussing Hot Springs community development and housing needs with particular emphasis on decent housing, a suitable living environment, assisting and preventing homelessness, addressing special needs of members of the community, and expanding economic opportunities particularly for low- to moderate-income persons.

Community Development Block Grant Policies

  1. Affordable Housing Underwriting Policy 2021
  2. CDBG Citizen Participation Plan Proposed Amendment April 2020 in response to COVID-19
  3. CDBG Unoccupied Property Boarding Improvement Policy
  4. CDBG Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement Forgivable Loan Policy and Application

Amendment to Prior Plan Years to Reallocate Funds

The City of Hot Springs receives funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant program. Annual expenditures are described in an Annual Action Plan each year.  

An amendment is necessary to allow the change in use of HUD funding (24 CFR Section 91.505).  The purpose of an amendment is to (1) delete activities which will not be completed; (2) delete activities that become ineligible; and/or (3) reallocate unspent funds from projects that were cancelled or completed under budget.  

Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report

The Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) is an annual report required by HUD detailing housing and community development activities undertaken by the city to meet priority needs as documented in the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.  The report summarizes the available resources, results of activities, number and type of households assisted, and evaluates performance in accomplishing the overall Consolidated Plan objectives.