Town and municipal community development programs

The State of Connecticut offers specialized funding tracks, development incentives, and property donation programs to help local towns upgrade public infrastructure, build affordable neighborhoods, and improve public school buildings.

Notice for residents: These programs are built exclusively for city officials, local housing authorities, and town managers. They are not for individuals or private households. If you are a resident looking for personal rental or repair help, please return to our main citizen housing portal.


Local building and community development programs
Use these State and federal programs to fund local community improvements and expand your town's affordable housing options.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Small Cities
This federal program provides funding to help local governments with populations of 50,000 or fewer residents upgrade public housing, improve neighborhoods, and expand economic opportunities. To qualify, your town must meet a national objective, such as helping low- or moderate-income households or removing local blight.
𠊌ontact info: Department of Housing (DOH)
Dominic Carew, Economic and Community Development Agent
Phone: 860-270-8164
Email: Dominic.Carew@ct.gov
Learn about CDBG application process



Incentive Housing Zone (IHZ)
This program provides financial incentives to local municipalities that create special incentive housing zones (IHZs) in smart-growth areas. Eligible locations include neighborhoods near transit stations, areas with dense development, or zones with planned infrastructure that can easily support new affordable housing builds.
Contact Info: Department of Housing
Conor Quinlan, Housing Specialist
Phone: 860-270-8054
Email: Conor.Quinlan@ct.gov

Review incentive housing zone guidelines



Public property upgrades
Use these tools to secure extra State funding for local construction or acquire land and gear for public improvements.


Inclusive Municipality School Construction
This is a certification program rather than a direct grant. Towns can apply to be certified as an "Inclusive Municipality" by opening up local affordable housing options. To qualify, your town must have a population over 6,000, have less than 10% affordable housing units, and maintain fair housing zoning laws. Once certified, your town becomes eligible to receive an extra five percentage points of State school building project grant money
Review school construction certification rules



Downtown development initiatives
These resources can help improve local storefronts, fix municipal properties, and revitalize your town's historic commercial centers.

Connecticut Main Street program
This Statewide initiative provides community management toolkits, technical advisor services, and targeted local grants to help towns revitalize their historic commercial downtowns. It connects local leaders to a network focused on creating vibrant, walkable, and inclusive shopping spaces.
Access downtown resources

Main Street Investment Fund
This State program was built to provide direct grant funding to towns for physical upgrades to publicly owned municipal properties or commercial storefront renovations.

View main street investment fund status updates




Pending programs

Municipal Affordable Housing Technical Assistance
Get direct grants and help to improve housing choices and affordability in your town. This program funds housing planning studies, feasibility reports, public meetings, and local regulation reviews to help put your town's Affordable Housing Plan into action.

Status notice: Funding for this program is currently pending agency approval.
Contact info: Benjamin Lovejoy, Project Manager
Phone: 959-929-2134
Email: Benjamin.Lovejoy@ct.gov 

Review technical assistance guidelines




Closed or paused programs
�ral surplus property program
This program allows public town offices, tax-supported entities, and eligible non-profit groups to receive donations of leftover federal property and land for the public good. Eligible groups include local schools, health centers, clinics, public museums, and free libraries serving the community.
Check Federal Surplus Property eligibility rules


National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC)
Connecticut received $54.2 million in federal HUD grants to build flood protections and storm infrastructure in Bridgeport, and to fund climate resilience planning across Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

Status notice: New applications are no longer being accepted. The NDRC page serves as a public archive of the project documents, contracts, and environmental reports. 

View NDRC program archives and performance reports


Priority Housing Development Zone
Create an approved local housing zone to earn a faster moratorium (temporary pause) on certain State affordable housing appeals using a lower threshold of new construction.
Status notice: No program funding is authorized at this time.
Contact info: Conor Quinlan, Housing Specialist
Phone: 860-270-8054
Email: Conor.Quinlan@ct.gov

Check priority zone guidelines


Need a different program?
If this resource does not match what you are looking for, you can browse our full directory of State, federal, and municipal housing tools.
View all housing programs in CT