Human Planning Commission recommends funding priorities for CDBG, ESG and HOME grants

Valerie Toney, chairperson of the Human Planning Commission, told the Saginaw City Council that commissioners reviewed applications and prioritized housing rehabilitation, neighborhood infrastructure and services for youth and people experiencing homelessness as they prepared funding recommendations for the 2025–2026 CDBG, ESG and HOME cycle.

"Established local resources can assist organizations in delivering quality services in our city through new and existing programs," Toney said while summarizing the commission's review process and recommendations. She told council the commission entertained presentations from applicants, questioned presenters and then prepared recommendations the city manager would forward to council for consideration.

The commission reported an estimated CDBG entitlement of $2,273,537 for 2025–2026 and said applicants requested roughly $3,000,694 (figures stated by the commission during the hearing). Commissioners listed housing and rehabilitation as a top category and recommended funds for a mix of ongoing and new activities, including an allocation for a local housing rehabilitation project proposed by Building PODET/Building Power.

The Human Planning Commission recommended specific allocations across categories…