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Council approves GCRA annual CDBG and HOME allocations for Simpsonville
Summary
Council approved Resolution R-2025-02 accepting Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) proposed CDBG and HOME allocations and the 2025 annual action plan; presentation emphasized housing construction, demolition, economic development, and program timelines and HUD rules.
Simpsonville City Council approved Resolution R-2025-02 on March 11, accepting the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority's proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME allocation and the city’s draft 2025 annual action plan; the vote was unanimous, 7-0.
Jose Reynoso of the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority presented the draft annual action plan and the funding breakdown. Reynoso described the plan as prioritizing construction of new housing units (both rental and homeownership), demolition of parcels to prepare them for housing, modest economic development activities (façade improvements and small business loans), and public-service grants to nonprofits that provide food and utilities assistance. He summarized HUD eligibility rules: "At least 70% of it has to be used to, for individuals in the low to moderate income," and said all activities must fit HUD’s three national objectives (benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent/eliminate slums and blight, or address urgent community development needs).
Reynoso explained that some year-to-year increases in available funding reflect "program income" — recycled revenues from prior city projects such as sales of previously developed units or rental income that is reinvested. He said the draft timeline calls for local public comment through May 6 and county-level submission in April, with HUD approval expected in May and funding available July 1 (subject to federal timing).
Council members sought clarifications on eligible projects and how CDBG/HOME funds could be reallocated. Reynoso and Administrator Gracely said the city can reallocate funds among eligible categories if priorities shift (for example, moving money from demolition to infrastructure) and that playground or park equipment would only be eligible if located in a low- and moderate-income census tract or if a door-to-door survey established eligibility.
Action: motion to approve Resolution R-2025-02 was made by Councilmember Roshe and seconded by Councilmember Root; vote 7-0. The GCRA will accept public comments through May 6 and finalize the submission to HUD following the county’s review.
