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Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Sandy Springs uses its annual allocation of federal funds to support initiatives eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) assistance. The Community Development Department administers this program.

Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, and CAPERs

Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPERs) are available on the HUD Exchange (opens in new tab) .

The HUD Exchange provides a centralized location where approved planning documents can be searched by grantee, year, and plan type.

2023–2027 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plans

The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document describing the City’s community development priorities and long-term goals based on:

  • Housing and community development needs assessments
  • Housing and economic market analyses
  • Available federal and local resources

The Consolidated Plan is implemented through Annual Action Plans, which summarize the actions, activities, and resources used each year to address identified priorities and goals.

Note: The 2026 Annual Action Plan Draft is available for a 30-day public review and comment period. Final adoption is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

The CAPER summarizes annual accomplishments, activities, and expenditures associated with the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plans.

2024 CAPER (DOCX opens in new tab)

2020 Amendment to the Citizen Participation Plan

The City amended the Citizen Participation Plan during the COVID-19 pandemic to support more timely public participation and response processes.

Questions or comments may be submitted to cdbgprogram@sandyspringsga.gov .

2020 Citizen Participation Plan Amendment (PDF opens in new tab)

Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program

Sandy Springs received a Section 108 Loan Guarantee from HUD on January 24, 2018, for future Community Development Block Grant allocations totaling $2,872,000.

On March 4, 2025, an amendment extended the repayment period from 10 years to 11 years and authorized storage of funds at Truist Bank.

The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program allows CDBG recipients to leverage annual grant allocations to access low-cost, flexible financing for:

  • Economic development projects
  • Housing initiatives
  • Public facilities
  • Infrastructure improvements

Section 108 financing is often used alongside other development financing programs, including:

  • New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC)
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
  • Opportunity Zone investments

Section 108 Program Information (PDF opens in new tab)

Program History

Created in 1974, the Community Development Block Grant Program was established to support community development and urban redevelopment initiatives nationwide.

CDBG funding must meet at least one of the program’s national objectives:

  • Benefit low- and moderate-income residents
  • Eliminate slums or blight
  • Address urgent community needs where other assistance is unavailable

Consolidated Planning for CDBG

HUD administers the CDBG Program in partnership with local and state governments.

Sandy Springs completed its first five-year Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2008–2012 on June 17, 2008.

In addition to five-year planning documents, annual Action Plans are required to describe how yearly CDBG allocations will be used to achieve Consolidated Plan goals.

Sandy Springs CDBG Target Areas

In 2022, staff analyzed Census Block Group data and identified eleven block groups meeting the Area Benefit criteria for CDBG-funded infrastructure projects under 24 CFR Part 570.208(a)(1).

Sandy Springs qualifies as an Exception Community, meaning Area Benefit projects must meet a 41.7% low- and moderate-income (LMI) threshold rather than the standard 51% threshold.

M12 CDBG Infrastructure Project Update

The City adopted a targeted multi-year sidewalk improvement initiative as part of the CDBG Program.

Initial study areas focused on Roswell Road and Hope Road, where surveying and existing conditions analyses were conducted to support future sidewalk design and construction planning.

Benefits of the Sandy Springs CDBG Sidewalk Project

The project is intended to improve pedestrian accessibility and connectivity throughout the community.

Planned improvements may include:

  • ADA-compliant curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces
  • New sidewalks where gaps currently exist
  • Curbs, gutters, drainage structures, and retaining walls
  • Pedestrian lighting and brick paving accents in selected areas

When completed, the sidewalk network improvements will enhance access to neighborhoods, shopping areas, MARTA transit, parks, schools, and other destinations along Roswell Road and Hope Road.

Annual Reports

HUD requires participating jurisdictions to publish an annual CAPER report summarizing progress toward Consolidated Plan goals.

Sandy Springs follows a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year, and CAPER reports are submitted annually by the end of September.

Additional Information

Residents with questions or comments regarding CDBG planning documents or reports may contact: