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Community Development Assistance Program

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Community Development Assistance Program logo

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 window is now open and closes at the end of the day on Friday, February 28th. The deadline for questions and application assistance is February 21. Please click the button below to access the online application.

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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

    Community Development Assistance Application Guidebook

    Thumbnail cover of the CDAP Guidebook showing the logo, title and background photo.

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

    CDAP Partners

    Call for Projects Timeline

    The 2025 Call for Projects will open in January.

    • December

      Ideas Exchange

      Ideas Exchange at the Land Use Coordinating Committee (LUCC) meeting (Location TBD) on December 4, 2024.

    • January

      Application Opens & Call for Projects

      Call for Projects at LUCC meeting (Location TBD) and application submittal window opens on January 15, 2025.

    • February

      Application Period Ends

      Application submittal window closes end of day on February 28, 2025

    • May

      Awardees Announced

      Awardees Announced – Selected projects and studies are announced at the May ARC Board Meeting

    Frequently Asked Questions

    ARC’s Community Development Assistance Program, or CDAP for short, matches planning assistance with community projects that need it. How it works: ARC assigns staff members to work with your community on your project to reach an agreed-upon result, such as a plan, report, community engagement process, or study — bringing your project closer to reality.

    CDAP is open to local governments, CIDs, and non-profits. It is required for CIDs and non-profits to work with the local government in which the project is in. There will need to be a letter of support from the local government. Non-profits are not eligible for grant assistance.

    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.

    CDAP provides staff technical assistance to help move your idea toward reality. Final products may include a completed plan, report, community engagement process, or study.

     You can find detailed explanations in the CDAP Guidebook located above the Call for Projects timeline.

     Fill out the Questions and Comments Form on this webpage for assistance. Someone will reach out to discuss the idea and its potential and provide a connection with a local government staff member in the appropriate jurisdiction.

    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.

    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.

    Feel free to utilize the Questions and Comments form on the right of the webpage.

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    33°n
    CDAP
    Community Planning Academy
    ConnectA
    Empowerline
    Georgia Commute Options
    Green Communities
    LCI
    LINK
    MARC
    Metro Atlanta Speaks
    MNG Water Planning District
    RLI
    State of the Region
    UASI
    WorkSource GA