Created in 1974, the CDBG - Community Development Block Grant is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs, including housing. The City of Lakeland is an "entitlement community," receiving a formula-based annual allocation of CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The primary objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent, safe housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes. Consistent with this objective, not less than 70% of the City of Lakeland's CDBG funding shall be used for activities which benefit persons of low and moderate incomes.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) was authorized by Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, and provides formula grants to states and local governments for a wide range of housing activities. HOME is the largest Federal block grant designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program was created by the Florida Legislature with passage of the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act in 1992, which created a dedicated revenue source with which to fund the development and preservation of affordable housing across the State of Florida. SHIP funds are allocated to all 67 Florida counties and to 53 CDBG entitlement cities, including Lakeland.