New Subfund Proposed to Support Neighborhood Development and Local CDCs

Cleveland City Council is considering a new way to fund local improvements through the establishment of a Neighborhood Development Subfund. Introduced by Council Members McCormack, Kelly, and Hairston, the emergency ordinance, identified as File No. 113-2025, aims to create a dedicated pool of money for neighborhood development activities that improve the quality of life for local residents and businesses. By using this subfund, the city intends to fund projects without the restrictions often tied to federal grants, allowing for more flexible use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

According to the 113-2025-NDF ordinance, money provided to this subfund via General Fund appropriations would be distributed through grant agreements to Community Development Corporations (CDCs). To ensure equitable support, the Director of Finance would create projects corresponding to each of the city's seventeen wards, with funding distributed equally among them each year. To qualify for these grants, CDCs must be nonprofit organizations, such as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) entities, that are guided by community members and focused on the physical, economic, and social improvement of their neighborhoods. The 113-2025-A-FILE document lists several nonprofit CDCs identified by the city as being well-positioned to implement these activities, including Campus District, Inc., Famicos Foundation, Greater Collinwood Development Corporation, and Ohio City Incorporated, among others.

The ordinance is currently listed as "Tabled" by the City Council. Residents can monitor future City Council sessions and committee meetings to see if the legislation is reintroduced or moved forward for a vote.

Source record

File
113-2025
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Tabled
Committee
City Council
Introduced
January 23, 2025

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources