Scottsdale council approves five-year consolidated plan and FY25-26 action plan for federal housing funds
Loading...
Summary
The Scottsdale City Council approved a five-year consolidated plan and the FY25-26 annual action plan allocating Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds, including $1 million for major housing rehabilitation and funding for homeless-supportive services and a tenant-based rental assistance pilot for seniors.
The Scottsdale City Council on April 22 adopted a five-year consolidated plan and the fiscal year 2025-26 annual action plan that outline how the city will use federal housing funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The council approved allocation recommendations that total about $1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and roughly $287,000 from the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) consortium. Mary (Housing and Community Assistance manager, City of Scottsdale) told the council the recommended CDBG allocations include about $1,000,000 for the city’s major housing rehabilitation program and $119,360 dedicated to homeless-supportive public services; HOME funds are proposed for a tenant-based rental assistance pilot for seniors.
The fiscal plan matters because HUD requires entitlement jurisdictions to adopt a consolidated plan that sets goals for housing, homelessness prevention and community development. "A consolidated action plan addresses our needs. It's a required community planning tool by Housing and Urban Development when a city receives entitlement funds," Mary said during the public hearing.
Human Services Advisory Commission members and local service providers urged council support. Roger Lohrey (Chair, Human Services Advisory Commission) told councilors the $119,360 for public services will assist Community House, Family Promise and other regional homeless-supportive programs; he said Community House provides day services to roughly 350 people and Family Promise offers shelter bed nights for families with children. Neil Scherer (Human Services Commission member) described the housing rehabilitation program as an owner-occupied assistance program that repairs critical items such as air conditioners, roofs and accessibility modifications.
Council discussion focused on program details and eligibility. Mary said the city’s Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8) administers about 544 assisted households and noted the city currently has authority for about 780 vouchers but is spending at approximately 110% of its budgetary authority because rents have risen. She described the HOME tenant-based rental assistance pilot as a two-year program for seniors 62 and older at or below 30% of area median income; 12 seniors are enrolled now with capacity for up to 15.
Councilman Adam Quasman moved adoption of the consolidated plan and FY25-26 action plan; the motion was seconded and carried. The council also adopted Resolution No. 13350 to approve the plans as presented.
The action funds ongoing programs and short-term pilot efforts rather than creating new city-run housing subsidies; Mary said program administration is budgeted at HUD’s 20 percent cap. Several commission members and presenters cautioned that federal funding levels could decline and urged ongoing local planning to backstop vulnerable residents if HUD allocations fall.
The council closed the public hearing and approved the plan later in the evening.
