Funding Opportunities and Incentives

The City of Medford was granted entitlement status under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1989.  Since then, HUD has granted the City an average annual entitlement of approximately $600,000.  CDBG funding is used to benefit low- and moderate-income persons, eliminate conditions of slum and blight, or meet an urgent need (as defined by HUD) within the City of Medford.

Community development activities funded through the program address the priority needs, goals, objectives and strategies identified through the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. Each year, the Community Development Grants Commission (CDGC) reviews applications for funding and makes recommendation to City Council for approval.  Activities that are approved by City Council are then listed in the City’s Annual Action Plan.

The 2023/24 CDBG grant cycle is currently closed. 

For more information, click here.

The mission of the City General Fund Grant (GFG) Program is to provide funding to support outside agencies and organizations that care for the needs of Medford residents with programs and services the City itself either cannot, or does not, provide due to lack of facilities, staffing, funding, or other limitations. On November 18, 2021, City Council approved funding priorities, establishing 100% of this funding to be allocated to social and health service organizations and agencies that provide essential safety net services to the citizens of Medford.

Eligible applicants must be a 501(c) (3) non-profit or other eligible tax exempt organizations which provide essential safety net services to City of Medford residents. 

The City defines essential safety net services as those providing assistance for:

• Emergency care 
• Rape crisis intervention
• Substance abuse treatment
• Job training
• Budget counseling and financial services
• Legal services
• Shelter for women and children
• Programs for the homeless
• Rental and move-in assistance
• Nutrition programs
• Mental and/or physical health care
• Support for victims of domestic violence
• Senior and youth services
• Child care

The Community Services and Development Commission (CSDC) reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to City Council for approval.

For more information about the City General Fund Grant (GFG) program, please contact the Housing and Community Development Division at hcd@cityofmedford.org or call (541) 774-2380.

The Housing Opportunity Fund is a demonstration of the City’s commitment to increase the supply of quality, affordable housing for Medford households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income. There are a variety of challenges that housing developers, providers, and property owners encounter when seeking to develop quality housing that is affordable. This fund was created to address some of these challenges and to incentivize community partners in the production of affordable housing.

Consideration will be given to projects and programs that accomplish one or more of the following objectives:  

• Create new rental units
• Facilitate land acquisition and infrastructure development for housing
• Purchase and  convert existing units to affordable housing
• Develop permanent supportive housing for homeless and special needs populations
• Support homeless shelter development     

The Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to City Council for approval.