Rock Hill council approves 2025–29 CDBG consolidated-plan goals and initial 2025–26 funding allocations

Rock Hill City Council on March 24 approved preliminary goals for the city’s five-year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) consolidated plan for program years 2025–2029 and approved initial funding allocations for the 2025–26 CDBG program year.

Corinne Speraza, presenting for city staff, said the consolidated plan — required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for entitlement communities — includes a community needs assessment, housing market analysis, a strategic plan and annual action plan with funding allocations. Speraza summarized staff’s proposed goals as: increase and maintain affordable housing opportunities, alleviate homelessness, improve public infrastructure and support public service programs. With council approval, the draft consolidated plan and executive summary will be released for a 30-day public-comment period; Speraza said the final documents will come back to the council at the first May meeting for adoption.

On initial funding allocations for 2025–26, Speraza told the council that HUD’s final allocation had not been released but staff expected level funding due to a federal continuing resolution. She also said this is the final year of the city’s full Section 108 loan repayment; Speraza provided principal and interest numbers for the final payment: principal $244,486.65; interest $7,486.65; total $251,973.30. Because of that repayment, staff reduced some project allocations for the coming year, including a significant cut to an owner-occupied rehabilitation volunteer project and a reduction in administrative funds.

Council approved both the consolidated-plan goals for public release and the initial funding allocations by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The drafts will be posted for 30 days of public comment and staff will present final versions for council adoption in May.