Montebello council opens public hearing on HUD consolidated plan and directs staff to draft 2025–29 documents

The Montebello City Council on Jan. 8 opened a public hearing on the city's five-year HUD consolidated plan and directed staff to prepare draft documents for the 2025'2029 period, the 2025'26 annual action plan, an analysis of impediments to fair housing and a citizen participation plan.

The consolidated plan serves as Montebello's application for HUD'funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. Housing Division staff said the city receives about $3,000,000 in CDBG funds and about $1,000,000 in HOME funds every five years, and the annual action plan will allocate the first year of the five-year strategy.

Rosemary Parrish, a member of the city's housing division who presented the plan, outlined a timeline: staff began data gathering in late 2024; the council'level public hearing held Jan. 8 is the first of two; staff will draft documents in February; a 30-day public comment period will run in March'April; the council will return to adopt the plans in April; and staff aims to submit the consolidated plan to HUD by May to meet HUD deadlines.

Parrish said the consolidated plan will cover typical eligible activities including public services, housing rehabilitation, public facilities and public-right-of-way projects such as street and ADA improvements. She also said the city prepares an analysis of impediments to fair housing every five years and a citizen participation plan that requires outreach, stakeholder interviews and a 30-day public comment period.

At the public hearing, resident Will Silvera asked about community outreach and streaming: "Is there a way that we can do that in the, council chambers so this way you can stream it. Also have audio and microphones because sometimes when they host meetings, you're not gonna be able to hear the people, and you're not gonna be able to stream it if you can't make it." Parrish and other staff responded that community meetings are typically held in the chambers, that microphones are available and that streaming options could be explored.

Silvera also asked whether any preapproved right-of-way projects were anticipated, specifically naming Garfield and Via Campo. Staff said funding for right-of-way activities can be included if the consolidated plan and available allocations support such work, but that allocations are not final until HUD announces the city's entitlement amount.

Council member Scarlett Peralta urged that the city use the consolidated-plan process to pursue climate and workforce priorities, citing local training programs and partnerships that could align with CDBG community development activities. Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo and other council members emphasized broad community participation and the need to leverage the federal funds to attract additional investment.

A motion to proceed with the consolidated-plan process and the related public outreach passed on a roll call vote. Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo voted yes; Council member Peralta voted yes; Mayor Melendez voted yes. The motion carried; staff will finalize draft documents, publish a 30-day public comment notice and return to council for adoption before submitting the package to HUD.

If adopted, the consolidated plan will govern allocation of CDBG and HOME funds for the city's housing and community development work for 2025'1, and the public will have at least 30 days to comment on the draft documents prior to final council action.