The Community Development Program is guided by a five-year strategy based upon an assessment of the community's needs and a series of one-year plans developed by the Community Development staff with the assistance and input from a 14-member Housing and Community Development Advisory Board. The annual plans outline the programs that will be provided to help meet the needs identified and the financial resources that will be committed to implement the programs. In addition to the annual plan, the local program must submit an annual performance report to the community and to the department of Housing and Urban Development outlining the accomplishments of the program each fiscal year.
Community Development Block Grant (website)
The Office of Community Development is responsible for administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the city limits of Johnson City, Tennessee. The City of Johnson City is classified by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an "entitlement" city. Based upon this classification, the city receives an annual allocation of funds to meet one of the following national objectives:
1. Provide benefit to low and moderate-income families.
2. Aid in the prevention of slums and blight.
3. Address other community development needs having a particular urgency because of posing a serious or immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and where there are no other financial resources available.
Emergency Solutions Grant (website)
The Office of Community Development is also responsible for administering the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) in the city limits of Johnson City, Tennessee. The City of Johnson City is classified as a “set-aside” city. Based upon this classification, the city receives an annual allocation of funds to meet one of the program objectives:
1. Reduce the length of time program participants experience homelessness.
2. Exit program participants to permanent housing.
3. Limit returns to homelessness one year after exiting the program.