Frequently Asked Questions

CDBG stands for the Community Development Block Grant, an annual grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Cleveland Heights for the purposes of benefitting low- and moderate-income households and the prevention and removal of slums and/or blight.

CDBG funds a variety of projects and programs, including: housing rehabilitation, economic development, public works, social service agencies, food pantries, youth and educational services, fair housing education and enforcement, planning projects and grant administration.

CAC stands for Citizens Advisory Committee.  It is made up of 22 members with a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. 10 seats are reserved for representatives of the City’s 10 historic elementary school boundaries. An additional 12 seats are open to residents from all parts of the community. Members are appointed annually by Cleveland Heights City Council.

The committee provides a means for the community to obtain information on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, assists in the evaluation and preparation of the CDBG yearly application, participates in monitoring the implementation of the CDBG program, and reviews the City's annual CDBG budget.

The CAC usually meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. The CAC does not meet in December and July but meets twice in August and September.

Members are also assigned to one of several subcommittees in order to review applications and interview applicants who have applied for CDBG funding. This is done in order to make recommendations for funding to the full CAC. The subcommittees meet separately in August and September.

The minimum time commitment for CAC members is estimated to be:

Go to the Boards and Commissions section of the City’s website and click on the link on the right side of the page entitled “Boards and Commissions Application (PDF).” Fill out the form and return it to the City following the directions on the application.

Yes. All members are asked to include information on the Annual Subcommittee Selection Form that indicates any organization(s) that they or their family members are associated with who are current CDBG subrecipients or would possibly apply for funding in the next CDBG fiscal year.

Members are asked to abstain from voting on any recommendation pertaining to the request of any organization(s) that they or their family members are associated with who are requesting CDBG funds.  Members are also asked to refrain from participating in any discussion related to the vote.