Community Development Block Grant Administration Records
Scope and Contents note
Community Development Block Grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, were first issued to Seattle in 1975. The Department of Community Development, and later the Human Services Department, administer the program and distribute Seattle's grant funds to the city agencies and community-based social service organizations that carry out the projects. Block grant programs in the city are concentrated in low income neighborhoods and focus on housing rehabilitation; extension of human services such as child care, nutrition, victim advocacy, medical services, employment and training; and neighborhood improvement through economic development. Records include correspondence, allocation information, reports, planning files, project lists, departmental agreements, subject files, financial records, outreach files, and photographs relating to administration of the Community Development Block Grant program. Records primarily document Department of Human Resources or Department of Housing and Human Services block grants, including the Emergency Shelter Grant Program, Survival Services, and housing projects. Other topics include the transition of the City’s housing programs to the Office of Housing. Included also are records of the Department of Community Development and Comptroller relating to CDBG administration and accounting.
Dates
- Creation: 1974-2000
Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Human Services Dept. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Records are open to the public.
Historical Note
An Office of Human Resources was established in 1971 in the Executive Department to develop, implement, and manage social services for low-income and disadvantaged residents of Seattle. In 1973 it was replaced by the Department of Human Resources. DHR administered family and youth services programs, senior citizen services, community service activities, the Seattle Veterans Action Center, and the Comprehensive Residential Weatherization Program. Federal, state, and local grants comprised two-thirds of the department's operating budget. Passage of the 1986 Low Income Housing Levy increased the City's funding and policy role in housing issues. In 1991, the agency name was changed to the Department of Human Services. A year later, the Department of Housing and Human Services was created, incorporating the City housing programs and Community Development Block Grant administration from the recently abolished Department of Community Development. DHHS programs included aging services, family and youth services, housing and community services, human services, and the City's education office. In 1999, the Office of Housing was established as an independent agency and DHHS was reorganized as the Human Services Department.
Full Extent
4.6 Cubic Feet (12 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Records documenting the Department of Human Services' administration of Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Arrangement note
Arranged into four series: Department of Community Development Block Grant Administration, Department of Human Resources Block Grants, Community Development Block Grant Administration, and Community Development Block Grant Outreach.
Subject
- Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Community Development (Organization)
- Seattle (Wash.). Human Services Dept. (Organization)
- United States. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (Organization)
- Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Housing & Human Services (Organization)
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Seattle Community Development Block Grant Administration Records 1974-2000
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Janet Ness
- Date
- © 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
- EAD Location
- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv93572
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository