The City Commission voted unanimously Aug. 4 to accept federal entitlement grants totaling $5,032,824.06 and to approve the city's five-year consolidated plan for 2025'029, the annual action plan for 2025'026, and the citizen participation plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jennifer Ferriero, director of Housing and Community Development, presented the plan and the proposed budget allocations.
"The consolidated plan is a five-year strategic plan that outlines how the city is going to utilize this federal funding," Ferriero said, summarizing the federal programs and the planning process. She told commissioners the planning process included a June 25 needs-assessment meeting, stakeholder consultations and a May 23'025 through June 27 survey with 101 respondents, 54 of whom were city residents.
Ferriero described four strategic goals: expand and preserve affordable housing; enhance services for people experiencing homelessness and special needs populations; invest in neighborhood infrastructure and community facilities; and ensure effective program administration and HUD compliance. Staff proposed allocating $970,113 in CDBG entitlement funds, including 15% for public services ($145,516) and $630,575 for public facilities and improvements; proposed HOME funding of about $497,842 with roughly $373,000 for new construction; and a county-administered HOPWA allocation of about $3,564,869 to provide tenant-based rental assistance for households affected by HIV/AIDS.
Ferriero said staff is prepared to submit the consolidated plan and action plan to HUD by the Aug. 15 deadline; HUD then has an approximate 45-day review period and Oct. 1 is the start of the program year. "Staff respectfully requests approval of resolution 168-25, which authorizes acceptance of the funds, approves the consolidated plan, the action plan, and the citizen participation plan," Ferriero said. The commission approved the resolution without opposition.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about delivery of services and how different funding sources (CDBG, HOME and HOPWA) are used. Ferriero said CDBG is the most flexible of the three and that HOME funds are restricted to housing development activities, while HOPWA funds target households with HIV/AIDS and include tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services. She also noted partnerships with Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County Housing Authority for program administration and potential bed expansion at the Lewis Center.