Stark County began participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in 1975. SCRPC is responsible for the overall planning and administration of the CDBG program. The CDBG program aims at developing viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, along with expanding economic opportunities, for persons of low and moderate incomes. CDBG activities must meet one of the following national objectives:
- Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons;
- Elimination of slum and blighting conditions;
- Address urgent community development needs;
Types of eligible CDBG activities in Stark County include:
- Rehabilitation of single family owner-occupied housing
- Public facility improvements
- Public service activities
- Economic development activities
All of the political jurisdictions, except the cities of Canton, Massillon and Alliance and the villages of Hills & Dales and Wilmot participate in the county's CDBG program.