Half a century into its journey, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program celebrates a significant milestone this year. Since its inception in 1974, the program has funneled crucial funding towards initiatives aimed at fostering community development, from affordable housing projects to anti-poverty strategies.
Through the local stewardship of Washington County, which has been at the helm of managing CDBG funds since 1979, over $112 million has poured into community-enriching programs. As reported on its website, Hillsboro has taken a direct control approach since 2018, allocating approximately $750,000 annually from federal allocations towards public services, infrastructure, and other facilities projects—all while bearing the administrative costs through its General Fund.
One of the bright spots in the CDBG-funded initiatives includes the Housing Rehabilitation Program, which swears by the impact it has had on local residents like Gary LaFollett, who was interviewed about his experience with the program. "It’s a $9,000 roof and it cost me nothing, whatsoever," he told Hillsboro's communication, reflecting on the essential assistance he received that allowed him to mend his roof and maintain his residence in the community.
The efforts to maintain community stability extend beyond immediate repairs. Through partnerships and the clever use of CDBG funds, initiatives like the Community Land Trust Program make homeownership attainable for individuals such as Nazdar Zada, a Kurdish refugee. "It makes me feel like I’m rich. I’m not. But I feel like I am," Zada shared in a statement obtained by Hillsboro's communication team.
Looking to the horizon, the Consolidated Plan for 2025-2029 is underway to strategically allocate an estimated $35 million to various jurisdictions within Washington County over the subsequent five years. An imperative part of this process is community input, and thus, a survey has been commissioned to paint a clearer picture of the residents’ housing and community service needs.
