The city of Arvada, Colo. has been an entitlement city for participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) since 1975. The funding received from that program initially increased from 1975 through 1980. However, it has significantly decreased especially when the impact of inflation is factored in through 1991.

The following table provides the annual amount of CDBG amounts received by the city since 1975:

1975   $117,000
1976     259,000
1977     477,000
1978     511,000
1979     555,000
1980     598,000
1981     592,000
1982     505,000
1983     567,000
1984     703,000
1985     528,000
1986     449,000
1987     450,000
1988     424,000
1989     465,420
1990     412,000
1991     464,000

Using CDBG funds has allowed the City of Arvada to carry out a variety of activities:

[Section] Utilizing CDBG, state and private lender funds, the city established the Essential Home Repairs Program for low/moderate income home owners in 1979. To date, $1,279,874 has rehabilitated over 173 housing units utilizing grants and low-interest loans. Over 30 percent of program beneficiaries have been elderly homeowners. It is a program that was only made possible through the availability of CDBG.

[Section] Utilizing CDBG funds, the city built a new 1.3 acre neighborhood park on a developer donated vacant lot adjacent to Park Creek Apartments. This award winning effort included close consultation with apartment residents and even a survey of children to select the facilities to be built. …