Community Development Assistance Program

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.

Past and present projects include things like a plan to integrate public art into downtown Tucker, a citywide agriculture plan in East Point, and a housing repair program strategy for older residents in Decatur. For a full list, visit: 2021 CDAP Projects or Past CDAP Projects.

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.

CDAP assistance helps communities to address at least one of these regional priorities. They also advance community resiliency and social equity.

Access to Healthy Food
Are you or your neighbors struggling to find healthy fruits and vegetables because there is not a grocery store nearby? Or maybe you want to create a community garden space to grow fresh produce and build relationships with you neighbors.

Housing Affordability
Do you or your neighbors struggle to afford to move to or remain in your community?

Creative Placemaking
Is there a place in your community that you’d like to feel more welcoming and vibrant to resident and visitors alike? Maybe it could benefit by integrating artistic and cultural elements.

Lifelong Communities
Does a lack of sidewalks, transportation options, or housing at a variety of price points make it difficult for people at all stages of life — from kids to older adults — to live in your community?

Green Infrastructure
Have you noticed that your community often floods after heavy rain, making it difficult to travel on certain streets, or perhaps flooding certain homes?

Smart Communities
Could your community benefit from technology that would streamline traffic signals, trash pick-up, or parking? Smart tech could help.

You can find detailed explanations in the Community Development Assistance Program 2021 Guidebook.

1. Make sure it fits the requirements.
   Qualifying projects address at least one of the regional priorities listed above — and advance community resiliency and social equity.
2. Connect and spread the excitement.
   Get others in your community onboard. This may be a neighborhood group, local nonprofit, or simply a group of engaged residents.
3. Let ARC connect you with your local community planner.
   Contact Mollie Bogle at mbogle@atlantaregional.org. If your idea has potential, we’ll connect you with your city or county planner.
4. Get that application in shape!
   Work with your local planner on your CDAP application and submit it by the February deadline. Good luck!

Neighborhood groups, nonprofits, community-based organizations, or a group of committed neighbors can apply in partnership with your local government. For steps on how to do so, see “I have a project in mind! What do I do next?”

Reach out to Mollie Bogle at mbogle@atlantaregional.org. We’ll talk with you about your idea, and if it has potential, we’ll connect you with your city or county planner.

You can browse a complete list of projects on the 2021 CDAP Projects or Past CDAP Projects pages.

Projects are chosen using a scorecard that weights them according to how they address regional priorities, as well as geographic diversity, equity, and resilience. Some priority is given to communities with fewer demonstrated resources to direct to community development.

See the application timeframe above and download the Community Development Assistance Program 2021 Guidebook.

Informational meetings start in November. The application period starts in January or February, and awardees are announced in May.

Feel free to address any questions to Mollie Bogle at mbogle@atlantaregional.org.