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Council approves CDBG and HOME expenditure plans; council discusses outreach to increase take-up of services and loans
Summary
The council adopted expenditure plans for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds allocated through the county. Council members urged more outreach after staff said some programs had low take-up in Escalon.
The City Council held public hearings and approved expenditure plans for federal HUD-funded programs administered through the county: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program.
Staff explained the CDBG allocation process and the city's proposed use of funds. "We receive up to $75,000 each year from HUD, which is a federal agency through the county," staff said, explaining the county forwards program funds and that the city typically receives 15% for services (about $11,000) and 85% for projects (about $63,000). The draft service allocations the council reviewed included $1,500 for fair-housing services, $3,000 for Meals on Wheels, $3,500 for a mobile farmers-market program administered by a regional food bank partner, and $3,250 for aging rental assistance.
Multiple council members and a resident asked whether outreach could boost utilization of the programs; staff said outreach can be enhanced through senior programs and the city's newsletter and that the county also conducts outreach. One council member noted the rental-assistance line had helped only one Escalon resident in recent years and urged staff to increase notice of the program.
After public comment and discussion, the council moved and unanimously adopted the resolution approving an expenditure plan for Escalon's FY 2025–26 CDBG program.
On the HOME program (down-payment assistance and a housing-rehab gap loan), staff said the city receives $15,096 in the current cycle and carries approximately $22,584 available across program cycles. Staff noted the city has not historically had high take-up of those HOME funds and agreed to provide guidance and referrals to the county program for residents who inquire.
The council then unanimously approved the HOME expenditure plan resolution.
Votes at a glance: - Motion: Approve CDBG FY 2025–26 expenditure plan (resolution). Mover: not specified in the transcript. Second: not specified. Vote: unanimous (ayes, no nays). Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve HOME FY 2025–26 expenditure plan (resolution). Mover: not specified in the transcript. Second: not specified. Vote: unanimous (ayes, no nays). Outcome: approved.
Ending: Council directed staff to increase local outreach for available services and said staff will work with county partners to promote HOME down-payment and rehab assistance to interested residents.
