Plano approves 2025–26 HUD action plan; debate centers on grant to Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation

The Plano City Council on Tuesday adopted the city’s 2025–26 action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds, voting unanimously to approve the list of nonprofit recipients and project allocations recommended by the Community Relations Committee.

The vote, 8–0, came after more than an hour of public comment focused largely on one proposed award: $36,983 in HOME funds to the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation for services to survivors of domestic violence.

What the council approved

City staff presented consolidated-plan and action-plan materials showing expected federal grant amounts: roughly $1.6 million in CDBG and about $558,000 in HOME funds for the coming program year. The Community Relations Committee vetted applications and recommended allocations that include housing rehabilitation, tenant‑based rental assistance, emergency shelters and social‑service programs. Curtis Howard, Director of Neighborhood Services, said the CRC process includes staff vetting and that all awards require a reimbursement process with receipts to document eligible expenditures.

Howard described the award process to council: “When they get this funding from us, it's a reimbursement process, so they have to send in the receipts,” and staff monitors the grants to ensure the work meets the HUD program requirements.

Public debate: vetting, neutrality and constitutional questions

Supporters of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation (TMWF) told council the group serves survivors of domestic violence across faiths and ethnicities. David Kelly, a board member for TMWF, said the organization’s shelters and assistance are non‑discriminatory: “The majority of the people that we serve are not Muslim,” he said.

Speakers opposing the allocation raised questions about transparency, potential ideological ties and whether public funds may be granted to organizations with religious affiliations. Amy Beacham said she opposed the $37,000 award and alleged ties to extremist actors. Pamela Sardo urged caution and cited Texas constitutional restrictions, arguing city leaders must ensure disbursements meet “an at‑large…