Community Development

The Community Development Department is responsible for administering both the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); and the Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) funds. The Department also provides funding for road improvements, infrastructure projects, public facility improvements for non-profit agencies, and community events.

Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a flexible program that provides Asbury Park with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Launched in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG program allocates annual grants to larger cities and urban counties, such as Asbury Park, to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. CDBG Programs include:

  • Homelessness Prevention- Emergency Assistance for residents who face homelessness as a direct result of a loss of energy services such as electric or gas.
  • First Time Home Buyers Assistance Program- Assistance for eligible low/moderate income families, per HUD income requirements, for the purchase of a home in Asbury Park. Assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred payment second mortgage loan in the amount not to exceed $5,000 for down payment, closing and prepaids or a combination thereof.
  • Improvements to Roads, Infrastructure and Parks - Reconstruction of roads, alleyways and sidewalks; playground equipment repairs; new manholes; security cameras etc.
  • Tenant Relocation- Assistance for residents in rental units that are facing displacement as a result of code enforcement violations.
  • Home Repair Program - Assistance for resident homeowners to fix their properties in order to come into compliance with cited code enforcement violations.

Regional Contribution Agreement Home Rehabilitation Program

The Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) Home Rehabilitation Program rehabilitates substandard single-family, owner-occupied, and multi-family investment (up to four units), for low- to moderate-income families with a least one major building system to be replaced or repaired.

Major systems include: 

  • Electrical
  • Heating
  • Plumbing
  • Roofing
  • Sanitary Plumbing
  • Structural (Load Bearing)
  • Weatherization

Applicant Lien

All qualifying applicants will carry a ten year lien period. If compliance with the terms and conditions of the Mortgage and Mortgage Note are met at the end of the lien period, the lien is canceled and no monies are owed to the City. If the property is sold prior to the end of the lien period, the Community Development Department must be contacted in order to determine whether the lien must be paid off or if it can continue with the prospective new owner. Minimum expenditures in major systems are $12,000. Maximum average per unit is $20,000.

More Information

For more information on the Community Development Department, contact Cassandra Dickerson at 732-502-5753 or email Cassandra Dickerson.

For questions on applying for the CDBG or RCA programs, contact Carrie Jeannot at 732-502-4580 or email Carrie Jeannot.

View important Community Development documents.