Council sets July public hearing and approves neighborhood assistance allocations after CDA explains funding drop

The West Haven City Council approved Neighborhood Assistance Act allocations on June 23 and set a public hearing for the Community Development Administration’s (CDA) 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on July 28 at 6:50 p.m.

During a finance committee presentation, CDA staff said federal program-year funding declined about 7%, from $662,000 last year to $615,000 this year — a reduction of roughly $46,000 — and that the committee and city staff adjusted the budget to reflect that change. The CDA described statutory spending caps: a 15% maximum for public service activities, up to 65% for infrastructure and public facilities, and a 20% administrative cap.

The council approved Neighborhood Assistance Act grants recommended by the citizen advisory committee: Ward Heitman House Museum Foundation Inc., $24,500; West Haven Community House, $20,000; and West Haven Child Development Center Inc., $15,000. The council recorded one abstention on the vote.

Rosa Richardson of the CDA outlined the application and review timeline: applications mailed in November, returns by mid-December, advisory review and budgeting in March, mayoral review, public notice in May and final council action in June. Richardson said the advisory panel receives roughly three times the funding requests it has available and that the committee tries to prioritize projects where “we could make the biggest impact.” She also said the mayor recommended not filling the CDA director position this year to help keep administrative costs below the 20% cap.

Members of the citizen advisory committee and council asked for detail on specific uses. Rosa described eligible uses: single- and multifamily rehabilitation, ramps and stair lifts, down payment assistance, and infrastructure for low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Council members asked about an emergency asbestos abatement and flooring replacement at a Board of Education facility; CDA staff said asbestos abatement used unallocated funds for an emergency response and the Board of Education paid for new flooring.

The council also set a public hearing for the CDA’s block-grant program year 51 budget on July 28 at 6:50 p.m. The CDA packet lists programs including down payment assistance and single-family rehabilitation; staff said down payment assistance grants are typically forgivable loans up to $7,500 that are forgiven if the homeowner remains in the house five years. The CDA said unexpended CDBG funds remain as unallocated funds for up to five years and can be repurposed for later projects such as paving.

Public comment included a resident reporting a dangerous road on Oleander Street; committee members confirmed Oleander is on a list for neighborhood paving and said community development funds will help subsidize work in that area. Council members thanked CDA staff and the advisory committee for their work during a difficult funding year.

Next steps: the council set the public hearing for July 28, and CDA staff will finalize the CDBG budget for council approval after the hearing and HUD certifications.