The City of Santa Maria held a CDBG Pre-Application Workshop on October 3, 2025, focusing on the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the fiscal year 2026-27. The meeting was led by the community programs manager, along with grant specialist Alicia Vela and housing technician Daisy Ruiz, who outlined the funding structure and application process for local agencies.

The workshop emphasized that the only available funding for the upcoming fiscal year is designated for public services, which is capped at 15% of the total CDBG allocation. This translates to approximately $210,000 available for public service projects, with typical allocations ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 per agency. The remaining funds are allocated to capital projects, specifically for the city's sports complex, which has already been funded and will continue to receive support in the next fiscal year.

Participants were informed that to qualify for CDBG public services funding, projects must meet one of three national objectives set by HUD: serving low to moderate income individuals or areas, preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or addressing urgent community needs. The majority of funded projects typically align with the first objective, benefiting low to moderate income populations.

The workshop also highlighted the priority needs identified in the community, which include preventing homelessness, assisting at-risk youth and the elderly, expanding educational opportunities, providing affordable housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods. These priorities will guide the allocation of public services funding.

The city anticipates receiving a similar overall allocation for the next fiscal year as it did in the current cycle, estimated at around $1.4 million. The breakdown remains consistent, with 15% for public services, 65% for capital projects, and 20% for general administration.

Local criteria for CDBG public services funding stipulate that projects must specifically target Santa Maria residents, as funding cannot be used for areas outside the city limits due to other municipalities receiving their own CDBG allocations. The meeting concluded with a reminder for agencies to confirm their attendance via a provided link, as attendance is mandatory for those wishing to apply for funding.