Council adopts 2025 HUD Consolidated Action Plan; one abstention recorded

The Bellingham City Council adopted the 2025 HUD Consolidated Action Plan on May 5 after a unanimous committee recommendation. The plan, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, identifies activities to be funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program for the program year that runs July through June.

Council member Jace Cotton, chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee, moved adoption following the committee recommendation; Council member Dan Hamill seconded the motion. Council member Lisa Anderson announced an abstention because she serves on the board of a local nonprofit that will receive some funding. The final vote was recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.

The consolidated action plan also provides the city’s budget framework for local housing levy expenditures, the affordable-housing sales tax and related general fund and justice sales-tax allocations. Committee members noted that needs in the community exceed available resources; the committee recommended approval so funded activities could proceed.