Divisions & Programs

Best Retail Practices Program Eligibility Guidelines

Some of our programs, workshops, and services are funded through Community Development Block Grants (CBDG) from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Based on HUD guidelines, the City can offer the Program’s In-Store Consultations, Grant Program and Advanced Workshops only to eligible Cambridge residents and businesses.

HUD eligibility guidelines ensure that federal funding assists residents and businesses in predominantly low-moderate income areas, known as Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy areas, or low to moderate income micro-enterprises.

Click here for a map of the NRS Area.

HUD eligibility requirements for this Program can be met in one of two ways:

You are a business or resident with an address inside an NRS area:
- You are a small business retailer whose retail, restaurant or store-front service establishment is located in an NRS area of the City.
- or
- You are the owner of a retail business located outside the NRS, but in the City of Cambridge, and you live in an NRS area of the City.
You are a business or resident with an address outside an NRS area. You meet eligibility requirements if all of the following conditions apply:
- You are a small business retailer whose retail establishment is located in the City.
- Your business is a micro-enterprise. A micro-enterprise is defined as a small business with five (5) or fewer employees, including the owner(s).
- Your family income is not greater than low-moderate family income guidelines in the following table.
  
  Your family is defined as all related, immediate family members living in the same household (e. g. husband, wife, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins).
  
  Your income is defined as the combined gross annual income for an entire family living in the same household.

Best Retail Practices Program Income Guidelines

Number of Family Members	Low-Moderate Income
1-member	up to $46,300
2-member	up to $52,950
3-member	up to $59,550
4-member	up to $66,150
5-member	up to $71,450
6-member	up to $76,750
7-member	up to $82,050
8-member+	up to $87,350

These limits are determined by the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and are subject to change at any time.

For More Information

To receive more information about the Best Retail Practices Program or to pre-register for the free first time participant workshop , contact Pardis Saffari, psaffari@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4654. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

Return to Top

Go to Commercial Revitalization

Go to Small Business Assistance

Return to Economic Development Division Home

Return to Community Development Department Home