CDC Association to administer nearly $500K for community projects

The City of Cincinnati has contracted with Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati  (CDCAGC) to manage the 2009 operating support program for Community Development Block Grant and HOME funding CDCAGC has increased the number of community development corporations (CDCs) and community housing development organizations (CDHOs) receiving program funding from four to 13, with a total funding of just under $500,000.All CDCs and CDHOs within the city limits were eligible for funding, with a maximum available award of $75,000.” We just signed contracts with the CDCs end of February and are holding capacity building meetings with each CDC, where we’re walking with them around all their projects and talking about their specific plans,” says Patricia Garry, executive director of CDCAGC.Funded projects include the development of affordable housing, single-family rehabilitation, infill housing, business district improvements, and community capacity building in the neighborhoods of Camp Washington, Carthage, College Hill, Mount Auburn, Northside, Over-the-Rhine, Roselawn, South Cumminsville, Spring Grove Village, Walnut Hills, Westwood, and the West End.All projects are planned to begin construction within the next two years.”It’s amazing to me how much everyone is doing,” Garry says.  “It’s really going to make a difference – most of them haven’t had operating support for many years, and this is really going to speed up community development in the city.”Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Patricia Garry, executive director, Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati