​​​​Purpose

The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) advises the City Council, the Mayor, the Planning Commission and various City Departments, as appropriate, concerning the formulation of policies and plans, and identification of projects in order to carry out the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program. Specifically:

• To maintain familiarity with the current federal, state, and local regulations affecting community development and to advise on policies and programs in which the City may have an interest
• To assess the community development and housing needs of the City and to propose and evaluate City plans and programs to meet those needs in cooperation with City Boards and Departments or other bodies, both public and private
• To ensure citizen participation in all phases of the CDBG and HOME programs according to federal requirements.

Typical Decisions

The Board reviews community human service needs, establishes criteria for funding, evaluates applications, and arrives at recommendations for the distribution of the City's annual allocation of CDBG and general funds for human services. The Board also recommends the targeting and allocation of CDBG funding for neighborhood improvements. Through the planning process for the five-year and annual Consolidated Plan of Housing and Community Development, the Board recommends the allocation of CDBG and HOME funds to the City's Housing Development Fund for the retention, rehabilitation and development of affordable housing. Funds are also allocated for the rehabilitation of low and moderate income single family owner occupied homes and for investor owned 1-4 family rental housing units occupied by low or moderate income individuals and families.

Time Requirements

Meetings are typically held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor's Boardroom, 2nd Floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham. Meetings generally last approximately two hours. Time requirements may vary from 20 hours in the most active month to approximately two to four hours in each of the other months. See Meetings and Events for currently scheduled meetings.

Membership

The Board consists of up to fifteen members appointed by the Mayor. The term of office is three years and members should generally serve no more than two consecutive terms. No compensation is paid to members of this Board. One or more members shall have professional or business expertise in the financing, construction, or marketing of housing. One or more members shall have background and experience in advocacy for low and moderate income housing concerns, tenant issues, social services needs or housing consumers in general. At least one member shall be from each of the Wards of the City, and one member from the City Housing Authority Board or staff. No member of the Advisory Board may be employed by the City. Low income, minority, handicapped, or elderly interests shall also be represented.  Members must also have lived in Bellingham for at least two years.