Community Grants | Carlsbad, CA

Community Development Block Grants

More information

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program provides grants to cities and counties to develop viable urban communities through the provision of decent housing, a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons.

How it works

The City of Carlsbad is an entitlement jurisdiction, which means the city receives a CDBG grant annually to assist with housing and community development activities.
Entitlement jurisdictions must determine the highest priority needs and develop plans and strategies to spend CDBG funds to meet those needs.
HUD regulates how funds are awarded, and grant amounts vary each year, based on congressional appropriations, and awards are determined by a formula.
In Carlsbad, social service organizations may apply for the grants and the City Council makes its final decisions on the grant awards at a public hearing typically held in May.

FY 2025-30 Consolidated Plan & FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan

The City of Carlsbad recently completed the five-year plan describing how to utilize funds that assist low-income residents and communities. On Apr. 29, 2025, the City Council adopted Reso. No. 2025-098, approving the FY 2025-30 Consolidated Plan and FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan.

FY 2020-25 Consolidated Plan

The FY 2020-25 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2025) Consolidated Plan was approved by the City Council on Apr. 21, 2020, by Reso. No. 2020-064.

Reports

Annual Action Plan

One-year plan to identify and fund projects and programs in alignment with the Consolidated Plan.

FY 2024-25 - Approved by the City Council on May 7, 2024 by Reso. No. 2024-093
FY 2023-24 – Approved by City Council on May 9, 2023, by Reso. No. 2023-124

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

Year-end report describing the actual accomplishments and expenditures.

CDBG Documents and Policies: Managing CDBG - Subrecipient Guidebook

Other resources

Citizen Participation

The Citizen Participation Plan outlines the City of Carlsbad's plan for soliciting and receiving citizen input during preparation of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and individual annual Action Plans. This Citizen Participation Plan was drafted in accordance with Sections 91.100 and 91.105 of HUD's Consolidated Plan regulations.

Fair Housing

As part of their CDBG program, the City of Carlsbad must affirmatively further fair housing and promote equal access to housing.

Section 3

The City also must make a good faith effort to ensure that employment, training, and contracting opportunities for lower-income residents are available for certain types of CDBG funded projects.

City of Carlsbad Bids
HUD Section 3 website and opportunity portal
Section 3 FAQ

Permanent Local Housing Allocation

The Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program was established through SB 2, which created a recording fee on real estate documents in the state of California. PLHA funding is provided to local jurisdictions to increase the supply of affordable housing and assist persons experiencing homelessness.

To obtain the funds, local jurisdictions must complete a plan to summarize the eligible activities to which PLHA funds are proposed over a five-year period.

2019-2023 PLHA Plan – Approved by City Council on Oct. 18, 2022, by Reso. No. 2022-249

Questions?

For more information, please contact housing@carlsbadca.gov or 442-339-2810.

CDBG Staff Contact: Nicole Piano-Jones, Senior Program Manager
442-339-2191 or nicole.pianojones@carlsbadca.gov

Community Activity Grant Program

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The City Council adopted Council Policy 51 which established the Community Activity Funding program to provide funding to various programs that enrich Carlsbad residents and visitors, and/or assist in enriching their quality of life. There are four grants offered under the Community Activity Grant umbrella, each of which are described below.

Winning Teams Grant Application
Available to support youth teams to offset costs of travel to national or international championship competitions. Grants are for eligible travel expenses. Applications accepted year-round.
Special Event Grant Application
Provides funding to cover start-up costs for new events that utilize or impact other public property or facilities. Applications accepted year-round
Community Spirit Grant Application
Available for events that contribute towards a vibrant community by demonstrating community pride or spirit. Grants are for in-kind city services only. Applications accepted year-round.

Community Activity - Applications are not available at this time. Program under review.

Agricultural Mitigation Fee Grant Program

More information

The City of Carlsbad Agricultural Mitigation Fee Grant Program supports certain agricultural, coastal or wetland restoration projects that enhance quality of life in Carlsbad. Funding for the grants come from fees that are paid by developers when agricultural land in the city’s coastal zone is used for development.

Qualifying projects

Projects that may qualify for a grant when funding is available include:

Restoration of the coastal and lagoon environment
Purchase and improvement of agricultural land for continued agricultural production, or for research and other uses needed for agriculture or aquaculture in the coastal zone, including farmworker housing
Restoration of beaches for public use
Improvements to existing or proposed lagoon nature centers

Review process

A seven-member citizens committee appointed by the City Council reviews grant applications when funding is available and recommend projects for funding to the City Council, which makes the final decision on grant awards. Grant funding was most recently approved by the City Council in March 2023.