Board approves draft 2025–29 HUD Consolidated Plan and 2025–26 annual plan, authorizes state ESG application

Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the county's draft 2025'029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025'026 Annual Plan for federal HUD entitlement programs and authorized staff to apply for State Emergency Solutions Grant funding.

The Consolidated Plan sets a five-year strategy for the county's entitlement allocations and will take effect July 1, 2025. County staff told the board the plan draws on 12 community input sessions, consultations with more than 40 organizations and data analysis to prioritize affordable housing creation, housing stability and quality-of-life investments.

David Estrella, director of Housing and Community Development Services, said the county receives approximately $14 million annually in HUD entitlement funding and that program amounts are estimates pending the federal budget. "The consolidated plan is a five-year strategic plan for HUD entitlement funding," Estrella said during the presentation.

The plan earmarks funding across four federal programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Staff described anticipated annual allocations roughly as: CDBG about $4.3 million, HOME about $2.9 million, ESG about $370,000, and HOPWA about $6.3 million. The board letter also authorizes the county to apply for approximately $600,000 in state ESG funds for fiscal year 2025'026 and estimated total state ESG awards of about $1.8 million over three years.

Kelly Salmons, deputy director for Housing and Community Development Services, said recommended 2025'026 annual-plan projects include CDBG investments in public services, public infrastructure (including ADA improvements and a fire engine purchase), microenterprise assistance for low-income childcare providers and home repair loans for low-income seniors. HOME funding recommendations include support for transitional-age youth, family reunification assistance, affordable housing development or rehabilitation, and first-time homebuyer programs. HOPWA funding will continue to support housing and services for people living with HIV/AIDS across the region.

Felipe Gamboa of Upwards, a national home-based childcare network, spoke in support of CDBG-backed assistance for microenterprise childcare providers, saying the program "strengthen[s] the local economy, expand[s] child care capacity, and ensure[s] that working families in San Diego have access to affordable, high-quality child care options." Several callers on the record raised concerns about outreach timing and data vintage; one caller noted certain data tables used 2020'022 figures and asked that staff update analyses if federal allocation estimates change.

Supervisor Montgomery Stepp highlighted local CDBG projects in her district, including sidewalk and ADA ramp work in Spring Valley and pavement and curb upgrades in Lemon Grove, and asked staff to return a memo if HUD allocations are reduced. Staff said funding estimates follow prior-year amounts and that they will provide updated impact memos if HUD changes allocations.

Supervisor Desmond moved approval of the Consolidated and Annual Plans; Supervisor Montgomery Stepp seconded. Vice Chair Lawson Reimer called the roll; the motion passed unanimously with all supervisors present and voting aye.

The approved draft will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and take effect July 1, 2025, subject to final federal allocations. The board also authorized staff to reallocate program funding as needed, execute contracts and apply for additional HUD and state ESG funding opportunities.

Ending: With the votes, the county set program priorities for the next five years and cleared the way to seek both federal and state ESG dollars for 2025'026 projects. Staff said they will return with any necessary adjustments if HUD provides different allocation figures.