Community Development Assistance Program

One region. Many communities.

The Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) provides planning assistance to local governments, CIDs, & non-profits across the metro Atlanta region to undertake local planning activities that advance the goals of ARC’s regional planning initiatives. In short, CDAP matches technical planning help and expertise with projects in communities who need it.

The 2025 application cycle has closed. Selected projects will be announced in May.

View Past Projects

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How Can My Community Get Assistance?

Projects are chosen based on multiple factors, including but not limited to staff capacity, how well the proposed project addresses ARC’s priority issues, how well the proposed project advances at least one of the program’s guiding principles of equity and resiliency, geographic distribution, and so forth. (For more details, see the CDAP Guidebook and FAQ below).

CDAPs Priority Issue Areas are:

Access to Healthy Food
Creative Placemaking
Impacts of Climate Change
Historic Preservation
Housing Affordability
Smart Technology

Atlanta Metro Region Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

In an effort to assist our communities, ARC's Community Development team has put together an online list of CBOs within the Atlanta region that will let you filter by county and city. This list is meant to assist you in finding partners for future proposals, projects, and ways to further engage your residents. The list was last updated on February 19, 2025. If you notice a defunct organization or an organization missing, please utilize the Questions and Comments contact form to advise staff.

Community Development Assistance Application Guidebook

Take a look at the 2025 application guidebook to learn more about program goals and application requirements.

Download the Guidebook

CDAP Partners

Call for Projects Timeline

The 2026 Call for Projects will open in January.

December

Ideas Exchange

Ideas Exchange at the Land Use Coordinating Committee (LUCC) Meeting (Location TBD) on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 10 AM to 12 PM.
January

Application Opens & Call for Projects

Call for Projects at LUCC Meeting (Location TBD) and application submittal window opens on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10 AM to 12 PM.
February

Application Closes

Application submittal window closes end of day (11:59 PM) on Friday, February 27, 2026.
May

Awardees Announced

ARC announces studies selected at the board meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026; applicants will be notified of a decision prior to the meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP)?

Who is eligible to apply for CDAP?

What kind of projects/ideas are right for CDAP?

CDAP can assist with a wide array of projects. The CDAP Guidebook has a list of the different project types and the local contribution required. For project ideas, we recommend you look at previously adopted plans within a jurisdiction’s boundary (i.e., small-area, comprehensive, and LCI plans), your organization's mission and objectives, CDAP priority issue areas, and past CDAP projects. Also, it is highly recommended you contact the CDAP Manager to discuss potential ideas utilizing the Questions and Comments Form on this webpage.

What kind of outcome can I expect from CDAP staff technical assistance?

Where can I find a detailed description of what’s meant by “regional priorities,” as well as “community resiliency” and “social equity”?

Who in my city or county do I talk to about my idea?

How are projects chosen?

There is an array of criteria that is looked at for evaluation. An example “scorecard” can be found in the CDAP Guidebook. Some of the criteria listed are but are not limited to: the overall quality of the proposed project, social equity, community resiliency, geographic diversity, community-based organization (CBO) involvement, relation to priority issue areas, and community/municipality support.

When can my community/organization apply?

Please review the CDAP Guidebook for information on the application requirements and timeline. Typically, the application cycle starts with two information meetings (December and January), with the application opening mid-January and lasting to the end of February. After reviewing the guidebook, it is encouraged that you set up a meeting with the CDAP Manager to discuss the potential project. You can utilize the CDAP Questions and Comments form on the right of the webpage.