Huntington Park approves 2025–29 consolidated plan, council member abstains over remaining errors

Huntington Park’s City Council voted to adopt the city’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025–26 Annual Action Plan and authorized the city manager to adjust project funding and execute required transmittals to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by July 15, 2025.

Interim Community Development Director Luis Morales told the council the plan has been through multiple hearings and that HUD requires the city to meet a filing deadline; Morales said the city may make limited adjustments now but cannot add new programs without triggering additional public-notice requirements and missing HUD’s deadline. “We are at the eleventh hour with HUD,” Morales said, noting staff had a meeting with the city’s HUD representative within 10 hours of the council meeting.

The council approved a motion to adopt the plan and authorize the city manager to adjust funding allocations and execute transmittal documents. The roll call recorded Council Member Macias — yes; Council Member Martinez — yes; Council Member Sanabria — abstain; Mayor Flores — yes. The motion carried.

Why it matters: The consolidated plan and annual action plan set the city’s priorities for federal community-development funds, including how existing programs will be funded. Morales told the council that HUD’s current approach risks “recapture” of funds when jurisdictions fall out of compliance, which is why meeting the deadline was framed as essential.

Council debate and concerns: Council Member Sanabria said she was “highly disappointed” and flagged editorial and substantive errors that remained in the document, including the continued mention of HPRP, which she said “doesn’t exist anymore.” She described some of her suggested edits as being treated as minor and said the plan, as presented, “felt like…doing it to get a C.” Morales responded that certain requested changes would require amendments that could not be completed before HUD’s filing deadline but could be proposed later.

Staff clarifications: Morales and staff said current rules permit reallocating up to 30% of funding among programs already identified in the plan but do not allow adding new programs without new public-notice periods. The city clerk confirmed no written public comments were received on the item at the meeting.

What happens next: With the council’s approval, staff will submit the consolidated plan to HUD by the stated transmittal date and may return later with amendments that fall within HUD’s rules. Council Member Sanabria’s concerns were entered into the record and the council did not delay the submission.

Ending note: The council’s vote leaves open the possibility of future, narrower amendments; staff emphasized they will continue to work with HUD and bring back any allowable changes for further council consideration.