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HCD proposes slate of CDBG awards; public services and economic development prioritized amid funding gap
Summary
HCD recommended CDBG allocations for FY 2024–25 that prioritize affordable housing, public services and economic development; staff warned the county has no reallocation funds and recommended awards based on current FY 25 amounts subject to HUD notice of actual FY 26 allocation.
HCD presented its recommended Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards at the March 11 work session, laying out the program priorities, the review process and the list of recommended projects. HCD said it used the FY 2024–25 available award amount for recommendations and warned the commission that if HUD's FY 26 allocation differs, the department will administratively adjust awards proportionally and publish a notice of proposed administrative action.
HCD described the consolidated plan goals adopted by the commission (affordable housing development and redevelopment; public services; economic development; public facilities and improvements) and said the CDBG proposals were evaluated via a 140‑point scale: 100 points from staff review and 40 from the vision committee advisory panel. Staff told the commission that total requests this cycle were approximately $2.4 million across 21 applications while the available FY‑25 CDBG funds equaled the amount staff used for recommendations.
Recommended awards included four affordable‑housing projects totaling $530,000 (including Athens Area Habitat homeowner‑occupied rehab and Athens Housing Authority new construction assistance), five economic development or microenterprise awards totaling $261,000 (including East Athens Development Corporation partnerships and Goodwill of North Georgia), and five public service projects recommended at $176,000 (Family Promise of Athens, Sparrow's Nest, The ARC, Georgia Conflict Center and Athens Behavioral Health System among those recommended). A $55,000 public facility request was not recommended due to funding constraints and leadership transition at the applicant.
HCD reminded the commission that CDBG rules cap public services at 15% of the annual award and planning/admin at 20%, and that unexpended CDBG reallocation funds had been exhausted. Staff said if HUD's FY 26 award differs from the FY 25 figure used, HCD will submit a notice and adjust allocations to maintain regulatory caps and will present an administrative amendment if necessary.
Commissioners questioned eligibility scoring for some housing rehab applications that missed thresholds and requested agency performance data and attachments; HCD said performance tables are provided as agenda attachments and staff is building dashboards to make program outcomes easier to review. Commissioners also raised questions about neighborhood revitalization strategy areas (NRSAs) and CBDO certification; HCD said it is updating an East Athens NRSA plan and will publish for 30 days of public comment before bringing a final NRSA to the commission for approval in September to take effect for FY 2027 CDBG cycles.
HCD scheduled publication of the NOFA recommendations, a public comment period and an anticipated May 6 vote if HUD's timeline permits.
