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City opens consolidated plan public hearing; staff flags $500,000 newly available after Section 108 payoff
Summary
Council opened the first of two public hearings on the draft five‑year consolidated plan and analysis of impediments to fair housing; staff reported Bellflower’s annual CDBG and HOME estimates, described outreach and noted roughly $500,000 in additional annual funds are now available following payoff of a Section 108 loan.
Bellflower’s first public hearing on the draft 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice took place Monday, with staff asking for public input on housing, public‑service and capital priorities.
Carla (economic development staff) and other staff explained the consolidated plan process mandated by HUD. The consolidated plan sets five‑year priorities for use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership funds, and annual action plans allocate specific CDBG and HOME dollars each year. Staff said the city will hold a second public hearing on April 21, 2025, with a 30‑day public comment period before final action.
Staff recapped current funding figures: for fiscal year 2024–25 the city’s CDBG allocation is $897,114 and the HOME allocation is $357,302. During the current consolidated plan period (2020–2024) staff said Bellflower received about $4.4 million in CDBG and $1.8 million in HOME funds. Notably, staff told the council the city’s Section 108 loan—used for prior downtown improvements—was paid off in the current annual action plan year, freeing roughly $500,000 that can be used annually for qualified CDBG activities or leveraged for a new Section 108 loan.
Staff outlined draft priorities collected through an earlier stakeholder and community survey: top community priorities were affordable housing, public improvements and public services. Housing priorities cited in the packet included new affordable rental or ownership housing, rehabilitation of owner‑occupied housing, and fair‑housing work. Public improvements identified were neighborhood cleanup, street improvements and trails; public‑service priorities included homeless services, violence prevention/anti‑crime programs and mental‑health services.
Carla explained HUD requires an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to fair housing as part of the consolidated‑plan process; staff and the city’s consultant are preparing the AI update and will publish it for public comment. The AI examines demographic patterns, barriers to housing choice and potential discrimination in lending or governmental practices.
No council vote was required Monday; the matter is a public‑input step and staff will return with the draft plan and AI for the April hearing and 30‑day comment period.
Why it matters: consolidated plans govern use of federal housing and community‑development funds; revisions will set city priorities for the next five years and determine annual allocations for housing rehab, homeless services, economic development, public improvements and fair‑housing work.
