The goal of the Community Development Department is to improve our community by providing adequate housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for those persons of low to moderate income.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is the principal federal program providing grants to states, cities and towns to devise neighborhood approaches that will improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. Enacted into law in 1974, it is administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The primary objective of CDBG is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of very low and low income.

Since 1975, the City of Gadsden has received over $30 million to provide support in areas such as housing assistance, drainage and street improvements, slum and blight clearance, creation of jobs and assistance to public service agencies.