Pocatello Community Development Block Grant Program

In 1996, the City's population exceeded 50,000 and "entitlement status" from the federal government was achieved. Consequently, Pocatello is entitled to about $400,000 per year in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The administration of these funds is the division's primary focus.

CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of housing and community development programs as well as several special projects. The city's consolidated plan for CDBG funding guides the spending of the funds and enables officials and citizens to collectively solve neighborhood and community problems that meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objectives which are:

  1. Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
  2. Removal or elimination of slums and blight.
  3. Meeting other community development needs having a particular urgency because conditions may pose a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community.

As a recipient of funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, every 5 years the City is required to create a new Consolidated Plan outlining the City's needs and priorities for use of CDBG funding. Based on the Consolidated Plan, the annual action plan specifies exactly how a given year's funding will be used, for example, sidewalk and housing repair.

The City recently adopted its Consolidated Plan for Program Years 2022-2026 as well as its Citizen Participation Plan.

To view the Consolidated Plan, including the Program Year 2022 (PY22) Annual Action Plan, as well as the Citizen Participation Plan click the links below:

Annually, the City adopts an Annual Action Plan to achieve the goals articulated in the Consolidated Plan. Below please find the Draft Program year 2023 Annual Action Plan. The PY23 Plan is out for public comment and will be reviewed at a Public Hearing on February 2, 2023. Written comments may be sent to Christine Howe at chowe@pocatello.gov until February 2, 2023 at 5:00 PM. 

At the end of the program year, the City must report on the work it did over the year in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. The most recent CAPER can be found below along with other recent program year plans and documents:
  1. Program Year 2021 CAPER (PDF)
  2. 2021 Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) Areas Map (PDF)
  3. Program Year 2019 Action Plan Amendment CARES ACT (PDF)

Emergency Rental Assistance

More help available for Idaho renters

Eligibility requirements have been broadened for the Housing Preservation Program, which serves Idahoans who live outside of Ada County in need emergency rent and utility assistance.

Among the changes:

  • The program can now help renters who have experienced financial hardship DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, an applicant's financial hardship must have been caused by the pandemic.
  • The maximum length of time for assistance was expanded to 18 months. Current participants in the program or those who had previously received 15 months of assistance are eligible for an additional three months.

To apply or learn more about eligibility requirements, Idaho residents who live outside of Ada County can go to IdahoHousing.com/HPP.

Need help applying?

One-on-one support is available for any renter who has difficulty completing the online application. This free service, through one of Idaho Housing's partner organizations, will help applicants collect required documentation or assist in filling out the application. For a list of partner organizations, click here.

Goals & Objectives

The City's goals and objectives primarily relate to revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods, providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities-principally for low and moderate income persons. Funding can also be provided to various non-profits in the community such as:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee

In fulfilling its duties, the CDBG staff supports the CDBG Advisory Committee. The CDBG Advisory Committee is charged with the development, oversight, and implementation including funding recommendations for the City's Consolidated Plan. The CDBG staff can help you with information; please call 208-234-6188 or email. Other organizations that can help include:

Citizen participation is a key component of the City's CDBG programs, and several opportunities for public input on various aspects of these programs occur throughout the year and are publicly noticed in the Idaho State Journal.

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like more information, you can contact staff at the following numbers or send an email.

  • CDBG Program Manager: 208-234-6186
  • CDBG Grants Administrator (Fair Housing Information): 208-234-6188
  • CDBG Property Rehabilitation Specialist: 208-234-6517
  • Lead Hazard Control Program Administrator: 208-234-6255
  • Lead Hazard Control Program Outreach Coordinator: 208-252-0125 (mobile)