In Colorado Springs, we have a strong network of organizations dedicated to helping those in our community who may be in need of additional support. A local food pantry. A family shelter. A pathway to employment program. A recovery support program. Each of those programs is helping to change lives. Each is a part of Colorado Spring’s support network. And each of them receives funding from the City of Colorado Springs Housing and Community Vitality Department through the Community Development Block Grant Program.
This April marks the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). This federal program has provided crucial resources that strengthen neighborhoods and support residents in need across the country. In Colorado Springs, the City’s Housing and Community Vitality Department is responsible for helping disperse the federal funding to the local organizations who can make a critical difference in the community. Without those local partners, who are out in the community working day in and day out to help their neighbors, the money would be meaningless. It is when we can get it out in the community that we can have an impact.
To highlight a few examples from funding provided in 2023, CDBG funding has empowered organizations like the Community Economic Defense Project to expand eviction prevention services and Salvation Army to provide shelter for families facing homelessness. Additionally, Forge Evolution received a grant to offer behavioral health services to teens in their programs, helping them navigate challenges and build resilience. The Center for Employment Opportunities also benefited, allowing them to continue their program offering transitional jobs and vocational services to formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment.
Furthermore, Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD) launched a Parent Ambassador Program to connect with hard-to-reach communities and promote the benefits of early childhood education. And Serenity Recovery Connection received a grant to support individuals on their path to recovery through their Recovery Support Specialist program. Funding also helped the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Colorado Springs make their headquarters more accessible.
A shining example of the impact of CDBG funding is how it helped launch Launchpad, Colorado Springs' first permanent supportive housing (PSH) development for young adults experiencing homelessness. Several households in Colorado Springs also received down payment assistance through the Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust to achieve homeownership.
Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Repair & Paint-a-Thon programs, which provide vital home repairs and fresh coats of paint to the homes of low-income residents, primarily seniors, also benefited from this funding. And safety and structural renovations were completed at Greccio's Kittyhawk apartments as well.
These are just a few examples of how CDBG funding is making a positive difference in Colorado Springs. The City’s Housing and Community Vitality Department is committed to collaborating with community partners to create a more vibrant and inclusive city for all. We look forward to sharing even more impactful projects in the future!
For more information about how the City leverages community development funds, visit the Housing and Community Vitality Department at https://coloradosprings.gov/HousingCommunityVitality