The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grants are designed to help low-income, rural nonprofit housing and community development organizations. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is administered at the federal level by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), providing funding to local governments. The city of Jackson, Mississippi, has become a community of rights and has been receiving CDBG funding since then. The Development Assistance Division of the Office of Housing and Community Development manages the City's CDBG program. This division is responsible for ensuring that funds are used to improve the living environment, quality of life, and housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income citizens.
Other CDBG projects are carried out through partnerships with local companies and non-profit service providers. CDBG funds are used to pave roads and pay for paving evaluations, for housing rehabilitation, for providing prescription assistance, to improve community centers, sidewalks and parks, and to build bathrooms and entrances accessible by the ADA to public buildings. These programs are intended to help low- and moderate-income neighborhoods improve their quality of life and are community-driven. Every year, interested community groups can apply for grants to build or improve neighborhood facilities. At the same time, the City helps successful applicants develop capacities, access other resources to meet their particular needs, and serves as a liaison with other agencies. Every five years, all CDBG beneficiaries must prepare a consolidated plan that outlines strategies for the use of CDBG funds over the next five years. In addition, each year during the planning period, beneficiaries must draft a one-year action plan that explains how the jurisdiction intends to implement the increase in that year's Consolidated Plan.
At the end of each fiscal year, beneficiaries must compile an annual consolidated performance and evaluation report (CAPER) describing the progress of the jurisdiction in implementing the Action Plan that covers the reporting period. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds several public service projects in Jackson. These projects are managed by the Office of Housing and Community Development and are implemented by local non-profit agencies that request the City to receive funding from the CDBG Public Service. These partnerships between the City of Jackson and local non-profit service providers allow for a comprehensive approach to meeting public service needs in the community. Mini-grants for organizations are designed to meet a wide variety of needs in Mississippi communities. Project grants are used to fund a wide range of artistic projects (and artistic components of larger projects) in Mississippi communities. USDA Rural Community Development Initiative grants are awarded to help nonprofit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally recognized tribes to support housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
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