Gulfport Residents Demand Equity in CDBG Fund Allocation Amid Safety Concerns

The Gulfport City Council meeting on July 22, 2025, focused on the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds, with significant community concerns raised about the proposed projects. Over 160 residents participated in a community planning session on July 27, 2024, voicing urgent needs such as emergency home repairs, neighborhood safety, and youth programming. However, many residents expressed disappointment that the current proposal does not adequately reflect their priorities.

Speakers at the meeting highlighted issues of unsafe housing and flooding, particularly in Wards 1, 3, and 6, which have high concentrations of Black and low-income families. They criticized the inclusion of a soccer field project, arguing it was not a community priority and did not address the pressing needs identified by residents. The speakers emphasized that CDBG and HOME funds are intended for low to moderate-income households, and diverting these funds away from the communities that qualify for them would be unjust.

Kelvin Barnett, a community advocate, pointed out that many African American homes have suffered from neglect due to a lack of rehabilitation funds, and he urged the council to ensure that low-income neighborhoods benefit from the funds they help secure. He also raised concerns about the exclusion of community comments from the proposal process, suggesting that this could lead to discrimination against the very populations these funds are meant to assist.

The council discussed the urgency of submitting a plan to HUD by the August 16 deadline, with some members advocating for a workshop to further engage the community and refine the proposal. However, there was disagreement on whether to postpone the vote to allow for more community input or to proceed with the current proposal to avoid losing funding.

Ultimately, the council faced a critical decision: to approve the proposal as it stands or to take the time needed to ensure it aligns with community needs. The discussions underscored the importance of transparency and community engagement in the allocation of federal funds, as residents called for a plan that truly reflects their voices and addresses their needs.