The Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBG) (49 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is a noncompetitive federally funded block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program is meant to support the national network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and their work to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.
The federal Community Action Program was founded in 1964 by the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Originally, federal Community Action Program funds flowed directly to local public and private CAAs. In 1981, Congress repealed the federal Community Action Program and replaced it with CSBG, a state-administered block grant.
Community action's mission is to address the issues of poverty and to increase the self-sufficiency of low-income families. They offer a broad range of anti-poverty programs and work collaboratively with other agencies to build a network of support for Indiana’s most vulnerable populations. CSBG programs include:
- Housing and related services.
- Reduction of Poverty.
- Revitalization of low-income communities.
- Empowering low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become self-sufficient.
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
Pursuant to Indiana Code 4-4-33-1-(2), in 2007, Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., designated IHCDA as the Lead Agency for the purposes of carrying out State activities for CSBG. IHCDA has continued to be designated the lead agency with each new governor, most recently in July 2017 by Governor Eric Holcomb. As the lead agency, IHCDA has the following responsibilities:
- Accept CSBG funds from HHS and distribute at least 90% directly to all 22 CAAs in Indiana.
- Disseminate, interpret, and build on federal regulations and guidance.
- Monitor CAA use of CSBG funds as well as compliance with federal and state rules and regulations.
- Provide opportunities for training and technical assistance to CAA Executive Directors, staff, and board members.
- Collect and submit performance-based data from CAAs and submit to HHS.
