Bethlehem holds public hearing on proposed 2025 CDBG and HOME allocations

City of Bethlehem officials held a public hearing July 1, 2025, on the administration’s proposed Program Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) allocations, which total $1,418,306 in CDBG funding and $417,183.96 in HOME funding. The administration told council it will seek formal approval to submit the allocations and planning documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at the July 15 council meeting.

Why it matters: The CDBG and HOME grants are federal formula funds directed to low- and moderate-income households and to projects that prevent blight, improve public facilities, support housing production and provide public services. Local decisions determine how limited annual allocations are divided among housing, public facilities, public services and program administration.

Robert Vidoni, housing and community development administrator for the city of Bethlehem, led the presentation and described the two programs and the administration’s recommendations. “CDBG activities have to either benefit low and moderate income populations, prevent or eliminate slums or blight, or address urgent community needs,” Vidoni said, explaining HUD eligibility rules and how the formula awards are set. He told council the city’s 2025 CDBG award rose by roughly $3,000 from 2024 and HOME funding increased about 15 percent from last year.

Vidoni summarized recommended allocations and constraints: the…