Clearwater staff propose FY2025–26 allocations emphasizing more, smaller public-service grants and facilities repairs

Dylan May, acting housing manager for the City of Clearwater, presented a proposed fiscal-year 2025–26 spending plan that would allocate federal housing and community development funds across seven categories and prioritize funding a larger number of public-service providers at reduced award levels.

The proposed allocations, which the Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board voted to approve for public comment, are intended to align with the city’s 2025–2029 strategic plan and to balance housing, homelessness prevention, special-needs services and neighborhood investments.

May told the board the annual action plan directs how Clearwater will use federal entitlement funds each year and that staff scored more than 20 applications with input from a Technical Review Committee. “We took into account those scores and provide equitable distribution of funds based on the scores, feasibility, and past performance,” May said. He said the city is constrained by program caps and HUD guidelines when setting amounts.

Under the proposal, public services funding would be constrained by the CDBG public-service cap and spread more widely at lower dollar amounts so more organizations receive grants. May named six service providers included in the public-services slate: Hispanic Outreach Center (youth leadership program), WestCare, Gulf Coast Legal, Metropolitan Ministries, Pinellas Opportunity Council and Hope Villages of America. He said the organizations have confirmed they will accept reduced awards.

Staff proposed four public‑facilities projects totaling $540,874: heating/ventilation/air‑conditioning work and food storage upgrades for Hope Villages of America, interior and exterior door and safety improvements at Directions for Living, an emergency generator for Maddie Williams, and campus upgrades (including air‑conditioning replacement and parking repairs) for SBDP. May said facility projects were funded at the amounts requested plus inspection fees.

The draft AAP would also budget $189,096 for administration (the CDBG administration cap), $60,000 for homebuyer education and $750,000 for down payment assistance servicing and awards. May said a majority of HOME and SHIP funds are proposed for creation and preservation of rental and owner‑occupied housing and that several projects are in predevelopment.

May cautioned the board that the city has not yet received its final entitlement amounts from HUD and that staff will adjust allocations when those numbers arrive. He outlined next steps: a 30‑day public comment period beginning June 8 and ending July 7, 2025; NAHAB review and recommendation July 8; and city council review in August as part of the consolidated plan process.

Board members asked how many applicants would be funded; May said roughly 11 projects across facilities and services were on the proposed slate and that most qualifying service applicants were accepted. He said staff plans to notify applicants after council adopts the final plan and to provide feedback meetings on how organizations can improve future applications.

The board voted to move the draft annual action plan forward for public comment by voice vote with no opposition.

Less critical details: May said staff produced two printed budget formats for review and that staff relied on historic budgets and projected upcoming projects to set facility funding. He also noted the city is “sifting through” seven applications for a commercial façade program and expects to continue coordinating funding stacks across CDBG, HOME, SHIP and other local sources.