Pocatello council approves $1.05 million housing trust fund amendment to CDBG plan

The Pocatello City Council on July 1 approved an amendment to the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2024 annual action plan to add $1,050,000 from the Federal Housing Trust Fund (HTF) for eligible housing activities.

The amendment, presented at a public hearing by Christine Howe, grants manager for the City of Pocatello, would allow the city to use HTF money for demolition, site clearance, engineering and architectural plans, and construction of up to six rental units at 429 Washington Avenue targeted to households earning 0 to 30% of area median income (AMI). “This amendment would allow the city to add housing trust funds in the amount of $1,050,000 to the PY24 annual action plan for eligible housing activities,” Howe said.

City officials said Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA), the state administrator of the HTF program, identified rental housing for 0–30% AMI as the highest-priority use and worked with city staff to identify the 429 Washington Avenue parcel as an appropriate site. Howe said the amendment is required under HUD regulations because adding the HTF activity is a substantial change under the city’s CDBG citizen participation plan and the funding source and project were not in the original PY24 plan.

No members of the public offered oral or written comments during the hearing. Howe said the city advertised the amendment, made copies available at the Marshall Public Library and other local agencies, and opened a public comment period that began May 27, 2025 and closed the night of the hearing; she reported no written comments had been received.

Council member Mangum moved to approve the amendment and authorize submission of the amendment and any public comments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Council member Paulson seconded. The council approved the amendment on a roll call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

The HTF was created by Congress to support development and operations of housing for extremely low-income households. IHFA is the designated administrator for Idaho and evaluates HTF uses; the city’s amendment confines HTF spending to eligible HTF activities and to the available funding. HUD approval of the amended annual action plan will be required before funds are expended.

Council materials and staff presentations name the project site, eligible activities, and the funding amount; further project design, environmental review, procurement, and construction schedules were not set at the hearing and will follow HUD and HTF program requirements.