Council adopts trail maps, HUD homelessness grants and small-business funding in unanimous votes

Roanoke City Council on April 21 unanimously approved a package of ordinances on the consent agenda that accepted grants and established accounts for several city programs.

The measures included acceptance and appropriation of a Roanoke Outside Foundation grant to update Mill Mountain trail maps; two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care grant awards that fund the city's coordinated assessment and homeless outreach programs; and three separate actions establishing and accepting funds for the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Why it matters: The grants fund everyday city operations and partner services — from better trail signage for residents and visitors to staff positions and outreach resources that the city uses to prevent and respond to homelessness and to sustain small-business supports.

What the council approved

- An ordinance authorizing acceptance of a Roanoke Outside Foundation grant to update and install Mill Mountain trail maps and kiosks. Staff said the current maps date to April 2017 and new maps will reflect reroutes and new trails under construction.

- An ordinance to accept a FY2024 HUD Continuum of Care coordinated assessment system grant of $52,505 to help cover salary for a full‑time intake specialist in the city's central intake program.

- An ordinance to accept a FY2024 HUD Continuum of Care grant of $150,059 to support the Homeless Assistance Team's street outreach work (the grant funds three full‑time outreach workers and supportive services).

- Three ordinances to accept and appropriate general, operational and program funds for the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center, including funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University, local host organizations and private sponsors.

All measures on the consent agenda were adopted by a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded unanimous “Aye” votes on each ordinance. Council members recorded as voting in favor were Councilwoman Sanchez Jones, Vice Mayor McGuire, Councilman Nash, Councilman Lisonbee, Councilwoman Powers, Councilman Hagan, Councilman Boleson and Mayor Cobb.

Background and next steps: City staff said the HUD awards fund positions and services the city uses to screen and connect households at risk of homelessness to community resources, and that the Mill Mountain grant will fund new map design and kiosks to reflect trail changes. Funding to the SBDC will be used to support programming, workshops and sponsorships for local businesses.