Council gives consensus on HUD grant allocations; staff outlines TBRA, emergency repairs and public‑services funding

City staff presented recommended allocations for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formula grants — Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — and the Glendale City Council gave consensus to advance the staff recommendations.

Matthew Hess, identified as deputy director of community services, told the council the city’s consolidated plan and program allocations are being prepared concurrently because the prior five‑year plan is expiring. Hess said staff are planning on “level funding” and estimated each grant source at about $3.2 million, with roughly $278,000 in prior‑year CDBG program income available for reallocation.

Hess highlighted accomplishments and proposed allocations. He said the tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA) program, funded through HOME, has housed 75 households (216 individuals) since inception, with an average time from application to lease of about 130 days and an average monthly rent subsidy near $1,350. The emergency home repair program, now run internally with CDBG funds, has assisted 22 households since operations moved in‑house and staff said average completion time is improving from a baseline they expect to reduce from current levels.

Staff member Charlize DeLeo (presented in the transcript as DeLeo/Delio) outlined recommended allocations: about $2.3 million of CDBG and a small portion of HOME/program income for residential rehab (the emergency home repair program) and other affordable housing activities; roughly $825,000 for continued TBRA; approximately $750,000 for public housing improvements (water and energy conservation, HVAC replacement and ADA access work); and about $210,000 proposed for a home‑buyer assistance program to be delivered by a procured partner. For homeless services, staff recommended about $236,000 (ESG) for rapid rehousing and eviction prevention, and CDBG‑CV carryover funds for ongoing operations of a local contract with Glendale Works and Phoenix Rescue Mission. Staff also proposed allocating the HUD‑provided foster youth vouchers and reconciling a $1,857 final accounting item.

Council members asked clarifying questions about program counts, caps on emergency repair payments and whether heat‑relief or respite programs were funded through these sources. Staff said heat‑relief and respite programs are being funded from separate ARPA carryover and are not part of the HUD allocations discussed. Staff also said there is no firm per‑unit cap for emergency home repairs; staff decide on a case‑by‑case basis and are mindful of not overinvesting in failing units.

Council recorded a consensus to proceed with the funding recommendations and to have staff return with final allocations once HUD’s formal award amount is known. Staff said if HUD funding arrives lower than estimated they will present options for council reconsideration and possible CDAC (Community Development Advisory Council) review.