Virginia: $23.6 million in funding announced for 33 projects through federal CDBG program

Thirty three projects in Virginia will receive a share of $23.6 million in funding for projects that rehabilitate housing, revitalize downtown districts and improve water and sewer infrastructure.

The Community Development Block Grants, or CDBG, were announced by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin earlier this month and will benefit more than 10,000 low- and moderate-income residents.

AFP reached out to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and confirmed the award monies are currently available despite some federal funding freezes initiated by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

The federally funded CDBG program has been administered by the DHCD since 1982 and annually receives approximately $19 million to distribute to small cities, counties and towns.

With these funds, localities can provide new or improved water and sewer systems in rural areas, rehabilitate housing in declining neighborhoods, revitalize commercial districts and provide facilities for a variety of needed services, such as health care clinics in underserved areas.

“While each of the 33 awarded projects support vastly different community goals, they all foster strong local partnerships, diverse regional economies and a higher quality of life for Virginians,” said Caren Merrick, Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

“CDBG funding offers the flexibility needed to address the unique concerns of diverse communities, while building a stronger, more cohesive Commonwealth.”

A few of the local projects include:

• $1,250,000: Town of Goshen Community Service Facility competitive award
• $100,000: Rockingham County Briery Branch Community Service Facility planning award
• $77,841: Albemarle County Regional Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy planning award
• $60,000: Town of Bridgewater Fountainhead Subdivision planning award

“Community Development Block Grants have facilitated targeted support to Virginia’s communities for over 40 years, and their effects have been profound,” said Bryan Horn, director of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

“By investing in our communities, we are able to support them in the unique ways that they need, with solutions that include their residents’ unique voices, all while protecting vulnerable populations and building stronger local economies.”