Macon-Bibb awards $273,798 in CDBG grants to local nonprofits, hearing overview of program rules

The Macon-Bibb County Commission on Tuesday approved seven Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards totaling $273,798 to local nonprofits, following a presentation on program rules and eligibility by county staff.

County community development coordinator Wenzina Jackson told commissioners that CDBG funds are formula grants administered under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and are intended “to provide services for viable communities, to provide services for low to moderate income individuals.” She said the program requires a consolidated plan and annual action plans and noted income limits used to determine eligibility — “a family of 4 could not make more than $56,550 to apply for our programs,” she said.

Jackson reviewed national objectives that CDBG-funded projects must meet and outlined eligible activities, including public services (capped at 15 percent of an allocation), program administration (up to 20 percent), housing rehabilitation, acquisition, economic development and urgent needs after a disaster. She told the commission the office runs an annual application process and uses community outreach, surveys and public hearings to shape the consolidated plan.

Following the presentation, commissioners voted, by voice vote, to send each nonprofit contract to the consent agenda for final approval. The awards approved were: - Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia: $53,077 to provide mentoring services to at-risk youth. - Family Advancement Ministries: $10,140 to provide car seats to families with young children. - Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc.: $49,887 to provide shelter services to individuals and families involved in domestic violence situations. - Family Counseling Services of Central Georgia: $43,200 to provide counseling and therapy programs for low-income families. - Home First Housing Resource Services: $84,700 to provide homeownership counseling, foreclosure counseling and homebuyer education. - Mother’s Nest: $20,394 to provide assistance to new and expecting mothers (diapers, parental training, workforce support, and other essentials). - Mentors Project of Bibb County: $12,400 to provide rent, utilities and food assistance for students and families in the mentoring program.

Representatives of several agencies addressed commissioners or answered questions about outreach and program delivery. A Big Brothers Big Sisters representative, identified in the meeting as Ms. Fitzgerald, said the regional agency currently has “a hundred and 1 active matches” and described referral sources that include the DA’s RISE initiative, schools, churches and self-referrals. A Family Advancement Ministries representative said the group has reached roughly 1,700 families with information about its car-seat program and posts materials in partner locations and online. Christie Henry, executive director of Family Counseling Services, said about 30 percent of the center’s clients are children and described partnerships with schools and other local providers to handle referrals. Home First and Mother’s Nest representatives described outreach through partner agencies, lenders and health providers.

Commissioners asked how recurring applicants are handled; Jackson said organizations must reapply each year and that the application window is advertised by the community development office. Commissioners also raised a question about a recent White House memo affecting federal funding; county staff said they are monitoring the guidance and do not expect immediate disruption to programs already under contract.

The awards were moved and seconded individually and approved by voice votes and were placed on the meeting’s consent agenda for formal adoption.