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Council approves CDBG/HOME framework, sets direction for public service allocation
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Summary
City staff briefed the council on HUD allocations for program year 2025 and the council agreed to proceed with recommended program administration, housing rehabilitation and demolition line items while directing staff to implement the capped public‑service allocation and award funds to nonprofit programs.
City staff presented the program year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding amounts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City Council approved an allocation framework and directed staff to implement awards.
Staff reported HUD’s allocations for program year 2025 as $987,543 in CDBG funds, $348,690 in HOME funds and $5,133.06 in program income. The staff presentation reviewed HUD regulatory caps — including the 15% cap on CDBG funds for public service activities — and summarized grant applications from local nonprofits seeking support for rental assistance, elderly lawn mowing and housing rehabilitation programs.
The council agreed with staff’s recommended structure for the grants: a program administration allocation, housing rehabilitation and demolition line items, and the statutorily capped public‑service pool. Staff recommended program administration of $150,000, housing rehabilitation near $550,000 and $130,000 for demolition work; council approved the top‑level allocations and asked staff to proceed with detailed awards to qualifying nonprofits under the public service cap.
During a public hearing, nonprofit representatives described needs the grants would address. Captain Michael Ham of the Salvation Army described daytime and nighttime shelter and case management services; Andrea Quiroz described results from rapid rehousing and a client success story tied to Project Hope; Dan Holbrook of Family Promise outlined the program’s temporary shelter and employment support for families with children; and Carrie Bronaugh of Harmony Home described a capital campaign and a request for equipment to support forensic interviewing of child abuse victims.
Council members discussed fairness of demand versus the limited public‑service cap. Staff reminded the council that HUD rules limit public‑service spending to up to 15% of CDBG and that applicants requested more than the capped amount; staff said the public‑service requests totaled roughly $393,300 against a cap of $148,901 for program year 2025. Councilmembers asked staff to report back and to use objective criteria from the consolidated plan when making awards.
Council voted to adopt the budget allocation framework and to direct staff to implement awards consistent with HUD rules and council guidance. The council did not adopt individual award checks at the meeting; staff will publish final award amounts and execute required subrecipient agreements and HUD reports.
