CDA Announces Opening of 2026 CDBG Funding Cycle

The City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration (CDA) is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding cycle. This year’s process continues to offer funding for a wide range of priorities — and, for the second year in a row, includes the Commercial Facade Improvement Program as part of the CDBG process.

The CDBG program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), supports projects that improve neighborhoods, expand economic opportunity, and serve low- to moderate-income residents. Each year, CDA invests millions of dollars in housing, public services, infrastructure, and economic development to help strengthen St. Louis communities.

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Commercial Facade Improvement Program

The Commercial Facade Improvement Program provides 5-year forgivable loans to small businesses and commercial property owners to upgrade the character and physical appearance of building exteriors and storefronts. Eligible improvements may include façade restoration, signage, windows, doors, lighting, and accessibility upgrades.

For small businesses, the application for the Commercial Facade Program is now conveniently available in CDA’s new Salesforce application portal.

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2026 CDBG High Priorities Include:

• 🏠 Affordable Housing – Rental and homeowner assistance, new unit construction, and rehab of existing units
• 💼 Economic Development – Support for local businesses, job creation/retention, and micro-enterprise growth
• 🧒 Public Services: Youth – Childcare, healthcare, afterschool and workforce programs for low- and moderate-income families
• 🧱 Tornado Recovery – Housing repair, debris removal, mental health services, and beautification in affected neighborhoods

Additional Priorities Include:

• Planning activities for LMI areas
• Homeless services and outreach
• Public facilities and infrastructure
• Program administration and compliance

 

New Salesforce Application Portal

CDA’s new online grants management system, powered by Salesforce, makes it easier than ever to apply:

• Mobile-friendly — apply from your phone or tablet

• Multiple applications from a single account

• Document scanning directly from mobile devices

• Team collaboration features coming soon

Applicants should carefully review all requirements in the CDBG Request for Proposals (RFP) document before beginning.

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Important Training Opportunity

CDA strongly encourages applicants to attend the upcoming CDBG Virtual Capacity Building Training: Best Practices: Financial Management, Reporting & Recordkeeping

Location: Zoom.
📅 Friday, August 15, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This training will provide key tips for accurate financial reporting, effective recordkeeping, and meeting CDBG compliance requirements.

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How to Apply

All application materials, instructions, and supporting resources for the 2026 cycle are posted at:
🔗www.stlouis-mo.gov/CDA/cdbg/2026.cfm

This page includes:

• The full 2025 CDBG RFP

• Slide decks from public hearings

• Recordings of webinars and training sessions

• A link to the Salesforce application portal

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Proposals are due to CDA by 4:00 PM, Friday, September 5, 2025. For more information, visit www.stlouis-mo.gov/CDA/cdbg/2026.cfm.

To ensure a fair and competitive application process, all questions must be emailed to CDBG@stlouis-mo.gov.

Questions and answers will be updated and posted weekly at the URL abve.