The City of Cuyahoga Falls’ Community Development Block Grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Since 2004, Cuyahoga Falls has received an annual allocation of funds from the federal government to address the housing and economic development needs of our local community. All proposed activities must meet one of the following three national objectives:
- Benefiting low to moderate-income persons;
- Preventing or eliminating blight; or
- Meeting an urgent need that poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community.
The city is able to utilize these funds to provide important services to the community such as senior snow, fair housing, home rehabilitation loans and economic development.
Senior Snow
The Senior Snow Program provides complimentary snow plow service for qualifying adult seniors and disabled residents. Learn more about Senior Snow here.
Fair Housing
Recipients of CDBG funds, like Cuyahoga Falls, must affirmatively further fair housing by working to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.
If you believe that your fair housing rights may have been violated, or for more information about local fair housing resources, please contact the Fair Housing Advocates Association at (330) 253-2450.
HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Anti-NIMBYism Policy
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines NIMBYism (NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard) as “a mentality adopted by those who reject certain changes to their communities.”
The NIMBY mentality is dangerous to communities, as it represents a refusal to compromise, a refusal to recognize personal property rights, and/or consideration of alternatives, all of which can stifle growth and development.
Often, NIMBYism is reflective of residents’ fears of the “worst-case scenario” effects of proposed development or falsehoods which are circulating among those who oppose the project.
It is the goal of the City of Cuyahoga Falls to use cooperation and understanding to combat NIMBYism by providing residents with information and public forums to discuss changes in the city.
Housing Rehabilitation Loans
The city offers 0% interest loans for qualifying individuals to make improvements on their homes, and therefore keeping up the housing stock in our precious neighborhoods. Learn more about the Housing Rehabilitation Loan program here.
Public Service
The primary purpose of CDBG funds is to serve low-and-moderate income residents who reside in the city of Cuyahoga Falls. Public Service funds aim to provide social services and/or other direct assistance to individuals or households. Examples of eligible services include, but are not limited to: Senior services, programs that serve persons with disabilities, homeless services, educational and job training programs, public safety, substance abuse services, child care services, etc. Non-profit and public agencies are invited to apply for CDBG funding, provided the proposed improvements will be open to the general public and will primarily benefit low-income communities. The application period for program year 2024 CDBG Public Service funding will close on January 15, 2024 at 4:00 pm.
The Consolidated Plan
The City of Cuyahoga Falls files a Consolidated Plan with the Department of Housing and Urban Development every 5 years. The Consolidated Plan is designed to help local jurisdictions assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions.
The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align and focus funding from the Community Development block grant program.
A summary of Cuyahoga Falls' latest Consolidated Plan may be viewed here.
Annual Action Plans
The Consolidated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan.
The entire Consolidated Plan, including year one of the Annual Action Plan, may be viewed here.
Cuyahoga Falls' most recent approved Annual Action Plan may be viewed here.
In preparation for possible urgent needs related to the COVID 19 Pandemic, the City of Cuyahoga Falls has completed a substantial amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan portion of the Consolidated Plan.
The following new goals have been added to the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan:
- Economic Development Infrastructure
- Public Facilities and Improvements
Program Year 2019 Cuyahoga Falls Cares Act Amendment may be viewed here.
Program Year 2019-2023 3rd Amendment Consolidated Plan Draft may be viewed here.
Program Year 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan Substantial Amendment Draft may be viewed here.
Program Year 2022 Cuyahoga Falls Annual Action Plan Draft may be viewed here.
Program Year 2023 Cuyahoga Falls Annual Action Plan Draft may be viewed here.
Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The CAPER is an overall review of the housing and community development activities undertaken by the City of Cuyahoga Falls for a specific program year. This report is meant to assess the City's effectiveness in using these resources and to assess the City's annual performance in relationship to meeting the priorities and objectives as outlined in the five-year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.
public Participation
The participation of our citizens is integral to the planning, development and administration of the CDBG program. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the development of the 5-year Consolidated Plan and any substantial amendment to the plan.
Citizens may participate by commenting on the plan or on substantial amendments, during publicized virtual or in person public hearing periods. Information on Public Participation may be viewed here.
For more information on these or any other Community Development Block Grant programs, please contact the CDBG/Entitlement Administrator at (330) 971-8135.