Salinas committee backs FY2024-25 HUD CAPER, hears public concern over Chinatown fund transfer

The Salinas Housing and Land Use Committee voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to recommend approval of the City of Salinas' fiscal 2024-25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and to authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development after a presentation by Vincent Montgomery, planning manager in the Salinas Community Development Department.

The CAPER, a federally required report summarizing how HUD funds were used, shows the city managed nearly $15,000,000 across five HUD program areas in fiscal year 2024-25, according to Montgomery. He told the committee the funding supported five public-facility projects (including the Sherwood Recreation Center and an Early Childhood Development Center), targeted public services and homelessness interventions, and that some HOME and HOME-ARP funds remain uncommitted pending project alignments and HUD approvals. "This report is a federally mandated summary of how we've utilized HUD funding to advance our community development goals," Montgomery said.

The presentation outlined program highlights: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and CDBG-CV funds supported five facility projects and public services reaching more than 200 households; CDBG-CV provided technical assistance to about 166…