Battle Creek public hearing on 2025–29 consolidated plan draws pleas for more rental assistance and services for chronically homeless

Battle Creek City officials opened a public hearing April 15 to solicit input on the city’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. City Community Development manager Helen Guzzo told the commission the city expects about $1,200,000 in CDBG funds and roughly $300,000 in HOME funds for 2025.

Why it matters: Community members and nonprofit leaders told the commission that the proposed allocation—heavily weighted toward rehabilitation and new construction—would not meet urgent needs for rental assistance, case management and supports for chronically homeless residents.

City staff presented the plan scope and timing. Helen Guzzo, manager of Community Development for the City of Battle Creek, said the city has participated in CDBG programs for about 50 years and that the consolidated plan will be drafted in the next three weeks and return to the commission for approval in June. Guzzo said current annual CDBG funding is about $1.2 million (down from approximately $1.8 million in 2012) and HOME funding is roughly $300,000; the city funds minor home repair, code compliance, public services,…