Bibb County economic development director explains how federal grants fund local housing, repairs and homelessness services

The director of Bibb County’s Economic and Community Development Department outlined how federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds are used in the county and described how the department partners with local nonprofits to deliver services.

“ We are really responsible for providing services for low to moderate income individuals,” the director said, explaining that the department’s work ranges from affordable-housing partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and tax-credit developers to small-scale programs like a roofing repair program and minor home repairs funded through CDBG and HOME allocations.

The director said CDBG and HOME are federal grant programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and that Bibb County is an entitlement community, meaning the county receives an annual formula allocation based mainly on population and poverty levels. The funds, she said, must be used within Bibb County.

Why it matters: these federal grants support housing stability and basic repairs that, according to county staff, prevent worse housing outcomes and reduce pressure on emergency services. The director said the department also awards funds to community organizations that provide services such as counseling, homelessness prevention and family-support programs.

On reporting and eligibility: staff must collect household-level demographic data for HUD performance reports — including household size, income bracket and race/ethnicity — so the county can document how many people benefit from each funded activity. The director described the reporting as sometimes appearing invasive to applicants but said it is required for federal accountability and program planning.

Funding scale and timing: the director said allocations are set by Congress and distributed annually; local communities typically learn their precise allocations in early calendar months after the federal budget process. She cited recent ranges for local HOME/CDBG funding in the roughly $600,000–$900,000 range in past years and said ESG allocations have been about $160,000 in recent years.

How funds are used locally: the director named specific program uses — affordable housing development, rapid-rehousing (where possible), emergency shelter, homeless-prevention rental and utility assistance, street outreach and subrecipient contracts. She named local recipients that receive ESG or similar funds, including Family Advancement Ministries, Bibb EOC, the Salvation Army and Brookdale Resource Center.

Limits and partnerships: county funds are restricted to Bibb County residents, the director said, and the department increasingly fields requests from neighboring counties. To extend assistance, the department relies on partnerships with nonprofits, universities (the director mentioned Mercer University student involvement at a clinic project) and philanthropic bodies such as the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

How to apply or get information: the department provided a public phone number, 478-751-7190, for residents and partner agencies seeking program information or applying for grants.

The podcast hosts noted the information was presented as part of National Community Development Week, a national observance the county uses to showcase partners and funded projects.