URGENT NEED FOR DISASTERS
This program helps communities address an urgent need resulting from a sudden and severe natural or other disaster where no other financial resources are available.
MAX AWARD
$100,000
maximum
MATCH
Cost of the environmental review
Qualify
SEE IF YOUR COMMUNITY QUALIFIES
Check qualifications, programs, and more
2025 Grant Season Closed
The application season for 2025 has closed. Full applications will open March 2 next year and close Oct. 16. If you haven’t discussed your project with staff yet, please do so before submitting an application. You can contact a project manager at any time or email [email protected]. Note: The Urgent Need program does not require a pre-application.
Purpose
The Urgent Need Grant Program provides funding to help local governments address severe, unforeseen conditions that pose an immediate threat to public health or welfare and have occurred within the past six months. Applicants must document the emergency, show all other funding options have been exhausted, and ensure activities meet federal eligibility guidelines. The scope of the Urgent Need project must focus solely on the immediate threat. Long-term solutions must be pursued through regular CDBG funding grants or other sources.
Qualifying Projects
A total of $200,000 is allocated for the Urgent Need Program in 2026. Eligible expenses include:
CDBG National Objectives
All CDBG projects must meet a national objective and involve an eligible activity under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The three CDBG national objectives are:
All activities proposed for in applications for the Urgent Need Grant Program must meet the Urgent Need national requirement to be eligible.
Eligible Applicants
Only cities and counties (units of local government) can apply for CDBG funds. Large cities and urban counties are considered entitlement communities and receive CDBG funds directly from HUD. The following entitlement communities are NOT eligible to apply to the State CDBG program: Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and all of Johnson County.
Selection Criteria
Revised 2026 guidelines will be available in March. Key considerations include:
Matching Funds
The applicant is responsible for paying the cost of the Environmental Review, which will count as the match for the application.
Yes, all CDBG-funded projects are federally required to have an environmental review. The Environmental Determination of Level of Review form must be submitted with the application. This will inform Commerce as to what level of environmental review you will undertake for your project if awarded.
Post-award, the city or county must conduct a full environmental review of the project, even for small projects that don’t require construction. This responsibility cannot be delegated and the cost to conduct the review must be paid with local funds. Project activities may not begin until after Commerce issues the environmental release of project funds.
Unlike most CDBG programs, the Urgent Need Grant Program operates on an accelerated one-year timeline. Applications submitted will be reviewed as soon as possible. If approved, a contract with the state will be executed within 30 days of the award notice, and construction must begin within 60 days. Projects must be planned for completion within 12 months of the start date. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in the grant being withdrawn by the Department of Commerce.
Before submitting an application, the local government must hold a public hearing to allow citizens the opportunity to comment on community needs and the proposed use of funds, especially residents of proposed project areas. The purpose of the hearing is to inform citizens about the proposed project, including its location, total cost, activities, and beneficiaries. Community members must be given a chance to suggest other project ideas and share their input, and the local governing body should carefully consider this feedback before submitting the application.
Requirements to Publish a Public Notice: The notice about the hearing must be published at least 5 FULL days in advance (but no more than 20 days) in advance to allow citizens the opportunity to schedule their attendance. The day that the public hearing notice is first advertised and the day of the public hearing do NOT count towards the minimum 5 day period. Notices must be published in a local newspaper having the widest general circulation in the community or on the grantee government website that is accessible to persons with disabilities or Limited English Proficiency. The total project funding and CDBG amount requested must match what appears in the public hearing notice.
Due to the urgent nature of these projects, the required public comment period after the hearing has been shortened from 15 full days to 5 full days. The initial public hearing must be held at least 5 FULL days before the CDBG application is submitted to allow for public comment after, and no earlier than 120 days.
Community Showcase Map
See other communities that have received funding in past years
Qualify
LMI help The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet a community development need having a particular urgency.
| Persons in Family |
LMI Family Income Limit* |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 |
LMI calculations are from the 2020 Census and LMI by household are from 2026 HUD Section 8. Final LMI will be confirmed upon application review.
Find Assistance
Assistance from a professional with CDBG grant experience can help you streamline and strengthen your application. Some or all of the costs to engage help can be covered by your award.
Find Pros in Your AreaApplication
2025 CDBG Urgent Need Guidelines (.pdf) view all resources ApplicationOctober 16, 2026
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