Planning commission recommends distribution of 2026 CDBG funds after lengthy nonprofit presentations

The Richland Planning Commission on a September evening heard hourlong presentations from seven nonprofit applicants for the City’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public-service pot and voted to forward the commission’s allocation worksheet to city council.

The commission opened a public hearing and listened as program leaders described demand for food delivery, transitional housing case management, respite and life‑skills programs for residents with developmental disabilities, teen services, domestic‑violence shelter case management, and victim advocacy. After questioning applicants and reviewing staff materials on available funding, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the allocations as displayed on the staff worksheet and recorded in the meeting record.

The commission’s vote advances staff’s recommendation for allocating the City’s limited CDBG public‑service funding and for allocating a separate public‑facilities pot that funds owner‑occupied home repairs and removal of architectural barriers.

The decisions came after staff explained the city’s constraints: the CDBG application round drew $93,950 in public‑service requests while the City’s 2026 CDBG budget allows only $43,720 for public‑service activities, and federal rules cap public‑service spending at 15% of the local grant for this program year.

“We received $93,950 in requests. Unfortunately, we only have $43,720,” said Toni Lehman, community development staff, explaining the cap and the commission’s ranking process. Applicants had five minutes each to describe need and outcomes; commissioners then ranked priorities and negotiated funding amounts on a staff spreadsheet that was the basis of their motion.

Applicants’ presentations and requests

- Christine Stacy, program director for Elijah Family Homes, asked for $10,000 for the Transition to Success program, which provides case management and housing assistance for families in…