The 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services program, administered by the Cobb County CDBG Program Office, is a federally funded initiative that seeks to address various community development needs in Cobb County, Georgia. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is part of a broader effort to help communities provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, especially for low- and moderate-income individuals. The CDBG program has three national objectives: providing direct benefits to low- and moderate-income households, preventing or eliminating slum or blight, and addressing urgent community needs.

Each year, the Cobb County CDBG Program Office invites proposals from local nonprofit organizations and government entities to implement eligible activities in the county. For the 2026 funding cycle, grants are available for projects or programs running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. A selection committee will review all applications to ensure compliance with program requirements, and funding recommendations will be made to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) in November 2025. The CDBG program is designed to fund public service activities that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and households, as well as address specific community issues such as homelessness, job training, and domestic violence.

Eligible activities under the CDBG Public Services program include, but are not limited to, job training, child care, health care, fair housing outreach, services for seniors and homeless persons, and recreational and educational programs. To qualify for CDBG funding, at least 51% of the program beneficiaries must be low- to moderate-income individuals, as defined by HUD income limits for Cobb County. The program applies a specific qualifying criterion known as “limited clientele activities,” where benefits must be directed at a defined group of persons, not necessarily tied to a geographic area.

The funding priorities for the 2026 CDBG cycle are based on findings from a 2024 Strategic Plan Assessment that identified various issues facing the county, including housing insecurity, mental health concerns, and homelessness. In particular, the county faces a significant shortage of affordable housing, with a large percentage of households spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The Strategic Plan also highlights the growing need for mental health services, youth employment support, and homelessness prevention.

The CDBG funding allocations for the 2026 cycle are divided into several categories. Public service activities, such as youth assistance programs, job training, and domestic violence assistance, account for 15% of the total CDBG funding. Other major funding categories include public facility activities (32%), municipality fair share (22%), minor home repairs (12%), and planning and administration (20%). This allocation ensures that a variety of pressing community needs are met, from housing assistance to job training and mental health support.

Applications for the 2026 CDBG Public Services grants will open on February 11, 2025, and the deadline for submission is April 11, 2025. The application process is facilitated through SurveyMonkey Apply, and all proposals must be submitted electronically before the deadline. Organizations are encouraged to review the funding priorities and eligibility criteria carefully to ensure their programs align with the goals outlined in the 2024 Strategic Plan and CDBG funding guidelines.

For additional information or assistance, potential applicants can contact the Cobb County CDBG Program Office.