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Moorhead outlines CDBG priorities for 2025–2029; snow‑removal and home‑rehab programs highly used
Summary
City staff presented draft priorities for the 2025–2029 Community Development Block Grant consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan, highlighting affordable housing rehab, homelessness prevention, services for special‑needs populations, and a growing snow‑removal program for low‑income elderly and disabled residents.
Tanya Coonsa, speaking for the city, opened a public hearing June 9 on draft priorities and projects for Moorhead’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Coonsa said, “this public hearing is related to goals and planning for expenditure of the Federal Community Development Block Grant, CDBG.” She reported the city was awarded $356,693 in CDBG funds for 2025 and that program income from a revolving loan program is available for reinvestment; she noted future awards are subject to congressional approval.
Nut graf: The draft priorities would guide CDBG investments in affordable housing rehabilitation, homelessness prevention and shelter, services for special‑needs populations, and non‑housing community development (including youth services and transportation to resources). Public comment on the draft runs through June 21, with final council action scheduled for June 23, 2025.
What the draft proposes
• Affordable housing: The city proposes rehabilitating or updating affordable rentals and owner‑occupied housing, working with Moorhead Public Housing Agency, Clay County HRA and Creative Care for Reaching Independence (CCRI). Coonsa said the plan would support rehabilitation of up to 35 homes and add up to five homeownership units in partnership with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and Cass Clay Community Land Trust.
• Homelessness: Draft priorities include supporting emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, expanding prevention services and coordinated assessment, and assisting providers with funding applications and data collection.
• Special‑needs populations: The plan seeks to expand services and make homes accessible for the elderly and persons with disabilities, including safety and accessibility modifications.
• Non‑housing community development: Draft projects target youth recreation and job training, and transportation to help homeless and extremely low‑income individuals access services.
Program details raised in council questions
Council members asked for usage history on specific programs. Coonsa said the snow‑removal program began in winter 2022 and is targeted to low‑income homeowners who are elderly or disabled and cannot remove snow independently. She said participation had grown from about 15 participants initially to “about 28 to 30” in the most recent season.
On the home rehabilitation loan program, Coonsa said the city typically performs up to six rehab loans per year at amounts of $20,000–$25,000. She said the loans do not require monthly payments or interest while the homeowner occupies the house; repayment is triggered if the homeowner sells the house or passes away. The program, she said, currently has a wait list “probably of about a year to a year and a half.”
Public comment and schedule
Coonsa said the consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan were out for a 30‑day public comment period ending June 21 and that no comments had been received as of the meeting. She also said a minor amendment to the citizen participation plan was open for comment. Final consideration and any action by the council is scheduled for the June 23 meeting.
No action was taken at the June 9 meeting; the public hearing was opened and closed during the session.
