Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Font Size: + -

Since 1975, the City of Rochester has received annual grant funding as part of the US Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) CDBG Program. CDBG funding can be used to carry out a wide range of community development activities such as home rehabilitation, street improvements, youth programming, and many others.

The overall goal of the CDBG program is 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.

The CDBG program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.

Draft 2026 Annual Action Plan

Consolidated Plan

Every five years, HUD requires the development of a Consolidated Plan to assist the City of Rochester in determining community needs and further provide a community-wide dialogue regarding affordable housing and community development priorities. Rochester's current Consolidated Plan covers the period of January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. These plans serve as the application for funding for the CDBG, which serves low-income individuals and/or families.

In order for grant funding to be committed to an activity, the activity must meet one of the City's Consolidated Plan Priorities. The current Consolidated Plan priorities are:

Access to Affordable Housing
Access to Public Services
Non-Housing Community Development
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Planning and Administration

The full consolidated plan can be viewed here.

Public Service Activities

15% of Rochester's annual CDBG allocation can be granted to outside organizations that provide services to Rochester residents. The application process opens the fall of the year prior to actual funding being distributed. Applications for 2026 CDBG funding will be accepted until August 18, 2025 and must be submitted by 4:30 pm.

Public Service Activity Application

To obtain a paper copy of the application, or to request additional information, please contact Brent Svenby at 507-328-2003 or bsvenby@rochestermn.gov.

Home Rehabilitation Loan Programs

The City of Rochester offers two residential rehabilitation loan programs: the Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program and the Rental Rehabilitation Loan program. The Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program has been offered since 1982 and provides a 0% interest loan of up to $24,999 to homeowners to make improvements to their homes. The loan is deferred and has a 30-year term.

The Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program is structured similarly to the Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program. Rental property owners can apply for a 10-year forgivable loan to rehabilitate rental units that they own and manage. Each rental unit is eligible for up to $25,000 in rehabilitation funding and the loan is forgiven after 10 years as long as the rental units are rented at fair market rents for that time.

To learn more about these programs and how to apply for funding click here.

CDBG Reporting Data

Reporting data for spending in the CDBG program has been compiled for the years 2017 through 2023. The data currently does not include home rehabilitation loan projects or funding that was allocated for administrative purposes. The dashboard below provides an interactive overview of the City of Rochester's CDBG Program. It highlights key accomplishments, project locations, funding allocations, and outcomes from 2017 to 2023. Users can explore data visualizations, maps, and summaries that illustrate how CDBG funding has supported community development initiatives in Rochester. Periodic updates will add new data to reflect ongoing program achievements.

For more information regarding the Rochester CDBG Program please contact Brent Svenby at bsvenby@rocehstermn.gov.