Connecticut committees approve FY25 Small Cities CDBG allocation plan totaling $13.96 million

Connecticut’s appropriations, commerce and housing committees approved the Department of Housing’s fiscal year 2025 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation plan on July 30, 2025, following a public hearing and detailed questions from committee members.

The plan allocates $13,960,891 for the program year running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and directs the state CDBG Small Cities program to prioritize preservation of existing affordable housing and public infrastructure projects that enable new affordable housing activity. Mike Santoro, director of policy research and housing support at the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH), told members the allocation is “determined by HUD by formula” and that, once HUD approves the state submission, DOH expects to receive contract documents and make awards to communities within about 30 days of that contract.

The plan matters because CDBG small‑cities funds serve nonentitlement municipalities—communities the federal government does not treat as direct grantees—and are often the primary federal source for public housing modernization, homeowner rehabilitation, and infrastructure in smaller towns. Santoro said DOH’s administration will emphasize quick turnover so awarded projects can move to construction late summer or early fall once HUD executes the contract.

DOH officials, including Miguel Rivera, director of housing and community development, described program rules and…