Community Development Department Budget Narrative

The Department of Community Development administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, and other grants as available. 

• Completion and approval of the 2024 CDBG Annual Action Plan and associated amendments
• Completion of playground rehabilitation projects at Rubicam Park & Roslyn Park
• Completion of sidewalk and curbing improvement project along Rubicam Ave.
• Completion of street paving improvements in low/moderate income residential areas
• Completion of ten (10) Owner Occupied Home Rehabilitation Program Projects using CDBG funds
• Completion of three (3) Emergency Home Repair Program Projects
• Completion of fair housing trainings for Township staff and residents
• Completion of the Summer Youth Meal Program (SYMP), having served appoximately 700 meals to Abington children using CDBG funds
• Supported Abington Free Library’s High-Speed Internet-enabled device program, enabling up to 40 low-income households to have access to broadband internet from their Township homes at a time
• Completion of design for the Grove House Rehabilitation Project
• Completion of an accessibility project to the Salem Baptist Education Building, which houses multiple schools and the Abington PAL and CAPT programs
• Completion of the Hedwig House FISIP Program, which provided food and life skills supports to developmental disabled people in the Township
• Support of six (6) area food banks, providing increased access to food for Abington families
• Support of thirty (30) Abington families needing housing assistance

Since 1976, the Township has been a direct federal entitlement community, receiving funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), using the exception criteria. CDBG funds are intended to provide low- and moderate-income households with viable communities, including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities. Eligible activities include community facilities and infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation and preservation, affordable housing development activities, public services, economic development, planning, and administration. The CDBG program year for the Township of Abington runs from October 1-September 30.

The Township of Abington is an entitlement community under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. An entitlement community is defined as a municipality (city or metropolitan area) with a population of 50,000 persons or more, which receives an annual allocation of CDBG funds directly from HUD under the CDBG Entitlement Program. The CDBG program is a federally funded program, authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.

The CDBG program requires that each activity funded meet one of the three national objectives, which are:

1. Benefit to low- to moderate- income households or persons;

2. Aid in the prevention of the elimination of slum or blight;

3. Having to meet a particular urgent need.

FY 2023 CDBG ACTIVITIES

The 2023 program year was October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024. The Township’s allocation from HUD for FY 2023 was $730,982. The FY 2023 Annual Action Plan included approved activities such as fair housing education, infrastructure improvements, and rental home repair. In response to evolving needs including those related to COVID-19 and other unforeseen circumstances, substantial amendments to past plans have been made in order to best utilize the funds for their greatest impact and most immediate need. No new amendments were made with the submission of the FY 2024 plan in August 2024; all previous plans and amendments have been accepted by HUD.

LOW AND MODERATE INCOME ELIGIBILITY

The CDBG and HOME programs are designed to support low- and moderate-income communities and households. In order for the Township’s activities to be deemed eligible and reimbursable, these activities must be qualified as serving the intended populations. These activities are qualified by using HUD-issued criteria, such as the annual income limits, and the census block group calculations.

The above income limits are the maximum amount of income a household can earn to qualify to receive direct assistance from the HOME or CDBG programs that are administered by the Township of Abington. The current income limits were published by HUD and effective on June 15, 2023 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.

Abington Township’s Area Median Income (AMI) is adjusted depending on how many persons live in the household (including children). Income qualification is generally separated into three main tiers: Low Income (80% AMI), Very Low Income (50% AMI), and Extremely Low Income (30% AMI). However, the number of tiers used and the percentage of AMI used for qualification varies by each housing program.

Table of Contents

Budget Message

Community Development Overview

Community Development and Housing