City reports pipeline of CDBG-funded home repairs and deed-restricted housing projects

Housing Development Coordinator Kathleen Salceda updated the committee on the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, describing uses for emergency home repairs and the construction of deed-restricted affordable and workforce housing.

Salceda said Franklin is an entitlement community that typically receives between $300,000 and $365,000 each year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for CDBG-eligible activities. She provided a snapshot of current available funds from prior grant years: as of December 2024, the balance from prior grants was $553,000 and staff expect to expend about $241,000 by June 30; the FY26 passthrough budget number was shown as $311,000.

Projects currently in the pipeline include two additional homes in the Hard Bargain neighborhood and a Natchez partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Salceda said the Hard Bargain project had an $80,000 award and the Natchez project was estimated at $50,000; she also noted smaller emergency repairs carried out in calendar year 2024 for elderly residents and other homeowners.

When asked about unused carryover and timing, Salceda said the program has limits on retained unspent funds and that staff were in the process of drawing down funds; she said two contracts would come before the board on April 8 to accelerate expenditure. A committee member requested clarification about allowable carryover amounts; Salceda noted the technical details are constrained by HUD rules and said she would provide follow-up details.

There was no formal committee action on the CDBG report; staff said the FY26 passthrough figure and pipeline projects will be managed through grant agreements and scheduled board approvals.