For over 25 years, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has assisted in the positive development of the City of Akron, Ohio. Many neighborhoods have been stabilized through housing rehabilitation programs and capital improvement investments keeping Akron’s housing market one of the most affordable in the United States.

The CDBG funds are an important to in the revitalization and stabilization of Akron and many other municipalities throughout the United States. The continuance of the program is vital to the growth of a community.

In 2001, CDBG funds were used to support several activities:

• In 2001, the City of Akron expended over $355,336 in CDBG funds for the rehabilitation of Akron housing stock. In conjunction with other federal programs these funds leveraged $943,181 in private investment.
• The City's Public Improvements program provided over $2,182,051 in CDBG funds to reconstruct streets, sidewalks, curbs, storm sewers and street trees.
• The City’s Neighborhood Development and Petition Area’s witnessed the rehabilitation of 256 units of housing.
• Twenty-five thousand dollars in CDBG funds was committed to the Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April Program to support the rehabilitation of approximately 40 homes of elderly or disabled, low-income residents.
• Twenty-three (23), houses were painted by Greater West Side Council of Block Clubs: the City's Minor and Emergency Home Repair Program assisted 94 houses and the Citywide Minor Home Repair Program administered by the Housing Network repaired 21 houses.
• The CDBG funds were also used to train staff and contractors to work in a lead-safe manner in order to meet United States Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines.
• The City has designated Neighborhood Business Districts revitalized through facade grants and low-interest loans. In 2001, the program was active in the Middlebury and Copley Road East areas, assisting four (4) businesses.
• Small and minority businesses also received technical assistance through programs administered by the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation. $25,000 was provided for technical assistance in the creation of support services through the Microenterprise Development Program, benefiting 55 businesses. Through a $14,798 grant for the Minority Business Technical Assistance Program, 280 businesses received other technical assistance. Four small and minority businesses received loans totaling $57,711 on a matching basis through the Enterprise Community Revolving Loan Fund.
• The Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation was responsible for the construction of 18 new homes (4 CDBG funded), the sale of 17 new homes and the purchase of 7 vacant lots.
• The Waiver Demolition program was responsible for the demolition of 16 commercial structures, 70 residential structures and 137 garages, each in an advanced state of deterioration.
• Thirty-three, (33) organizations received $179,000 in matching funds through the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This collaboration between the City and the Akron Community Foundation is designed to support community-based projects.
• For the first time, the City of Akron, Ohio initiated a Competitive Grant Program for Community Development Corporations to be utilized for operations support. Twenty-five thousand dollar ($25,000) grants were awarded to the Westside Neighborhood Development Corporation, the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, the University Park Development Corporation and the Housing Network.
• CDBG funds were used to support the social needs as well as the physical improvement of Akron neighborhoods. Over $ $522,578 was expended on services benefiting youth, elderly and family development. An example of the services included Crisis Intervention through Victims Assistance, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Boys and Girls Club.

The Fair Housing Task Force designed and completed an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and an Action Plan. The Analysis and Action Plan was accepted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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