Middletown holds public hearing on draft CDBG five‑year plan and 2025 action plan

Mindy Mueller, a Community Development staff member, presented a draft five‑year consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at the Middletown City Council meeting on Feb. 18.

Mueller told council the city is using an estimated HUD allocation of $709,824 for program year 2025–26 but said the final federal figure has not yet been announced. She outlined CDBG rules including a 15% cap on public services, a 20% cap on planning and administration, and a requirement that at least 70% of spending benefit low‑ and moderate‑income persons.

The draft five‑year priorities presented to council are: neighborhood revitalization (including urgent and emergency home repairs and public facility improvements); supportive services (youth programs, services for older adults and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness); economic development (small business support and downtown revitalization); and housing availability and affordability for low‑ and moderate‑income households. For the coming program year the draft action plan assigns $300,000 to neighborhood revitalization (home repair and emergency repair programs) and about $267,864 to supportive services, including $30,000 for fair‑housing providers and roughly $76,473 for CBI youth services.

Mueller described the outreach used to develop the plan: stakeholder meetings, a community survey sent to residents and workers, and analysis of community‑level data. She said the city issued an RFP for nonprofit subrecipients in November, held a public Q&A in December, and received proposals in January for activities addressing supportive services and neighborhood revitalization.

Council members asked about last year’s use of funds for SELF and for CBI youth programming; Mueller replied subrecipients submit draw requests with supporting documentation and annual performance reports, and that workforce development was included in the prior consolidated plan but did not emerge as a top five‑year priority this cycle. Council discussed that supportive services may still fund workforce activities if they fit the established priorities and can be justified to HUD.

Assistant Law Director Bridal Conover administered the required swearing‑in for anyone giving testimony at the hearing. No members of the public spoke at the hearing. However, Mueller reminded the council that the city will open a 30‑day public comment period beginning Feb. 19 and will make draft documents available on the city website and at City Hall, Sunny Hill Community Center and Midpoint Library.

The next steps she described are to receive and consider public comments, finalize the plan once HUD issues the city’s allocation (usually announced in April or May), and return the plan to council for final approval before submission to HUD. Mueller noted program year activities typically begin May 1, though federal processes often delay the start until summer when HUD agreements are completed.

Council members thanked Mueller and staff for the presentation and encouraged residents to submit comments to CED@cityofmiddletown.org or drop off written comments at City Hall (Third Floor).