NACCED celebrated National Community Development (CD) Week from April 6 – 10. CD Week is an annual event highlighting the importance and impact of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The week serves to educate the public and members of Congress about how this federal investment supports affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades and essential services for vulnerable communities. Throughout the week local governments host events, tours, and outreach activities to demonstrate successful projects and reinforce the importance of sustained CDBG federal funding.
Annually, NACCED members contribute a wide array of compelling presentations during CD Week, reflecting the range of work taking place nationwide. These sessions have showcased creative and effective uses of CDBG resources. NACCED Success Stories illustrate how communities have revitalized neighborhoods, expanded affordable housing opportunities and improved access to vital public services. Last Tuesday, Arlington County, VA; Johnson County, KS; and Los Angeles County, CA participated in NACCED’s CD Week Webinar, showcasing CDBG projects from each locale for an audience of congressional staff, coalition leadership and NACCED members. View the recording here.
Johnson County, KS celebrated CD Week by hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of housing units developed by Metro Lutheran Ministry that will be offered to homeless individuals. The day’s ceremony was held in Olathe, KS which has four of the 16 planned units. Speakers at the ribbon cutting included Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly and U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS). View their social media post with more photos here.
Orange County, FL celebrated CD Week by showcasing nonprofit partners and the impact of CDBG. Orange County spotlighted two local nonprofit organizations that became first-time recipients of CDBG funding this year: Per Scholas, which helps low-income residents secure high-paying jobs in the IT field, received $50,000 to expand its program in Orlando and Special Hearts Farm, which provides agriculture-based training and employment for adults with disabilities, received $50,000 to add mental health services.
Other members engaged their communities with official CD Week callouts, see below a photo of a CD Week proclamation shared by the City of Vancouver, WA.
Orange County, NY highlighted the impact of both CDBG and the HOME Investment Partnerships program during CD Week in an official press release. County leadership emphasized how these resources continue to drive meaningful outcomes, from infrastructure upgrades and ADA accessibility improvements to the creation and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. With more than $21 million in CDBG funding invested between 2018 and 2025 and additional allocations anticipated in 2026, Orange County’s experience underscores how federal resources can deliver incredible benefits to communities.
This year’s CD Week saw CDBG promoted across social media using the #CDBGWorks and #CDWeek26 hashtags. NACCED members shared stories highlighting real-world impact of CDBG funded projects in their communities to amplify awareness among policymakers and the public, demonstrating the continued value of federal investment in community development.
Check below for NACCED member CD Week social media highlights!
- City of Vancouver, WA
- Clark County, WA
- Los Angeles County, CA
- Washington County, MN
- Washington County, OR
- Palm Beach County, FL
NACCED looks forward to our continued member engagement with CDBG and encourages those who are interested in telling their stories to reach out about joining our Community and Economic Development Committee for further opportunities. Also, don’t forget to check out our new Congressional Advocacy Toolkit for tips on how to organize your team and utilize strengths as county professionals for successful education of CDBG with Capitol Hill!
