Community Services Block Grant
(CSBG)
Department of Health and Human Services1,000+ Community Action Agencies; 9–10 million individuals in 5.2 million households
Summary
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) sends federal money to a nationwide network of about 1,000 local Community Action Agencies, which use it to fund anti-poverty services like housing help, job training, energy assistance, and emergency aid. The FY2027 budget proposes eliminating CSBG entirely, cutting its full $775 million in funding — a 100% reduction — because the administration says Community Action Agencies are ineffective and anti-poverty services should be restructured.
Who Is Affected
CSBG currently supports roughly 1,000 Community Action Agencies operating in about 99% of U.S. counties, which serve an estimated 9 to 10 million people in 5.2 million low-income households nationwide. Local examples show the scale of impact — one Texas county alone (Hidalgo County) receives about $2 million a year in CSBG funds, with neighboring counties receiving $1 million and $700,000, money that supports disaster response, domestic violence victim services, and adult education programs.
What this cut would actually mean
If CSBG is eliminated, thousands of local Community Action Agencies would lose federal money that often underwrites their core operations, meaning many would have to cut staff, reduce hours, or close programs such as emergency utility and housing assistance, job training, and adult education services. Because CSBG funds are frequently combined with other funding streams to keep agency doors open, losing this grant could force some agencies to shut down entirely, leaving low-income families in both rural and urban communities with fewer or no local options for crisis help during emergencies like natural disasters or job loss.
Sources
- Community Services Block Grants (CSBG): Background and Funding — Congressional Research Service report confirming the nationwide CSBG network of about 1,000 grantees serves over 10 million people in 5.2 million low-income households, and noting the FY2027 elimination proposal.
- White House Releases Budget Request for FY 2027: Top Highlights for Counties — National Association of Counties summary confirming the FY2027 presidential budget proposes eliminating CSBG.
- News — NCAF — National Community Action Foundation news page with statements on the FY2027 CSBG elimination proposal, including local examples like Hidalgo County, Texas CSBG funding levels and services affected.
- Support the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) | National Association of Counties — Details on CSBG's structure, showing the program operates through nearly 1,000 Community Action Agencies in 99% of U.S. counties and served 10.7 million individuals in FY2023.
Administration's Stated Rationale
“Community Action Agencies considered ineffective; anti-poverty services to be restructured.”