Past Projects
Receiving public input regarding the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds is very important to both the City and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the resource for the City's CDBG dollars. In order to help get the creative processes flowing, this page will provide a sampling of activities funded in prior years. Having funded an activity in the past, however, is no guarantee that a similar project would be funded again, as priorities change from year to year.
The City feels it is important, also, to make the community aware of improvements brought about through the CDBG program that would not or might not have been possible otherwise. As an entitlement community since the beginning of the CDBG program in 1974, the City of Aurora has received over $26 million to help meet the City's redevelopment goals. Currently the City receives approximately $2.2 million each year through the CDBG program.
Benefits For Seniors & Residents with Disabilities
Through the Safe at Home Program, Rebuilding Together Aurora provides no-cost, home safety and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners. The program addresses the smaller-scale home repair needs to seniors and persons with disabilities. Repairs possible through this program include wheelchair ramps, lighting, bathroom modifications, grab bars, flooring and steps.
Neighborhood Improvements
CDBG funds have been used to purchase and/or install playground equipment in low - to moderate-income neighborhoods. These have been located on school property, public housing communities, and neighborhood tot-lots. We anticipate installation of a paved walking path and exercise equipment stations at Walters Park will be complete by late summer 2022.
The City incorporates the use of CDBG funds for residential street improvements in low-moderate income census tracts; this additional source of funding helps leverage the City's investment to ensure more streets are completed each year. Street reconstruction project may include installation and/or removal and replacement of streets, curbs, and gutters.
Home Ownership Opportunities
Funded by the City of Aurora's Community Development Block Grant, the Choose Aurora program offers up to $5,000 in homebuyer assistance to households with total income at or below 80% of the Area Median Family Income ($89,700 for a four person household in 2024) and who choose to purchase their home in the City. For more information, please view this link to: Choose Aurora Application and Program Guidelines(PDF, 994KB) (o en español(PDF, 1MB) ).
Community Enhancements
Four of the community's museums have received financial assistance through the program to stabilize the structure or to make accessibility modifications. Without the CDBG dollars Aurora residents could have been deprived of the benefit these museums offer and may have been deprived of the architectural beauty of them, as well. Consider the impact of not having the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) War Memorial, the SciTech Museum, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, or the Tanner House Museum. If you have never visited any one of these, now is the time to see what you've been missing.
Public Service Agency Support
Support for public service agencies is done in two ways: financial assistance for program delivery or financial assistance for capital improvements. Each year approximately $200,000 is available for various public service programs from tutorial programs to emergency assistance for seniors.
Sometimes agencies find themselves outgrowing their facilities or needing repairs to their facilities in order to maintain quality service. CDBG funds have been able to support these activities over the many years. For some, CDBG dollars made the difference between being able to open their doors or not. Recent examples of capital improvement investments include: Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry parking lot; Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry roof; Hesed House HVAC and roof improvements; Mutual Ground portico rehabilitation.