Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) covering the previous fiscal year is submitted to HUD at the end of September to ensure the cities are meeting objectives. The CAPER includes "a description of the progress made in accomplishing the objectives" of the CDBG, and "a summary of the use of such funds during the preceding fiscal year". Nationally, CDBG funds were spent for the following purposes in 2011: Public infrastructure (32.7%) Housing (24.8%) Administrative and planning (15.1%) Public services (11.4%) Economic development (7.3%) Property acquisition (4.9%) Other (3.8%) In Fiscal Year 2017, the largest categories of CDBG spending were: Public infrastructure (36.0%) Housing (24.7%) Administrative and planning (14.2%) Public services (10.5%) Economic development (6.3%) Acquisition (4.9%) Other (4.0%) Relations with other programs The CDBG shares some features of the Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG). UDAG, along with urban renewal and other previous federal attempts to alleviate poverty and blight in US cities, was criticized as being a "top-down" approach. For these programs, federal planners would dictate how and where funds were spent. In contrast, CDBG was constructed to be a "bottom-up" approach. In order to receive CDBG funds, applicants must identify urgent needs of the community, and solicit project ideas and plans from citizens and local organizations that address those needs. Thus, the CDBG program represents a significant shift in how the federal government addresses poverty and blight. Some researchers argue that because CDBG is a bottom-up program it is significantly more successful than previous programs. Others have said CDBG's scope of allowed activities is too broad, making it difficult to measure program performance. See also First time home buyer grant References External links Community Development Block Grant Program - CDBG - HUD website United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Affordable housing Federal assistance in the United States