Adams County signs off on goals for new five‑year HUD consolidated plan, moves to 30‑day public comment

Adams County commissioners on June 24 approved the goals and priorities in a draft five‑year Consolidated Plan (the “Con Plan”) and directed staff to post the plan for the 30‑day public comment period required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Consolidated Plan sets the county’s housing and community development priorities for 2025–2029 and frames the 2025 Annual Action Plan that allocates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funds. Bill Aiken, Deputy Director of Community Economic Development, told commissioners the Con Plan is a HUD‑prescribed document and the county must submit the plan “by August this year” to remain eligible for the grants. Staff said the Con Plan will be posted for public comment June 26–July 29, with a public hearing and final county approval on July 29 and submission to HUD by Aug. 15.

Melissa Shiree and Rick Reed from the Housing Policy & Community Investments Division and consultant Eric Chatham (Civitas) reviewed how HUD funding rules shape eligible uses. They reiterated that CDBG funds cannot be used for new construction of housing but are flexible for public facilities, infrastructure and housing rehabilitation, while HOME funds can support housing development though HOME awards typically combine multiple funding sources and include a 15% set‑aside for CHDOs where applicable. Staff explained how the urban county allocation is split among Brighton, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Bennett and unincorporated Adams County, and how HOME consortium membership also includes Commerce City, Thornton and Westminster.

Commissioners asked about outreach, survey demographics and how allocations are calculated; staff said the Con Plan draws on an outreach campaign of surveys, virtual and in‑person meetings, stakeholder consultations and HUD‑required data (American Community Survey). After commissioner discussion, the board approved the recommended priorities and projects as presented and agreed staff should post the Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan for the 30‑day public comment period and return July 29 for formal approval and certification for HUD submission.

The Con Plan and Annual Action Plan determine how roughly $1.2 million in CDBG and $1.1 million in HOME funding for 2025 will be allocated among housing rehabilitation, public services and public facilities, along with administration and CHDO set‑asides. Staff emphasized HUD timing requirements and the limits placed on eligible uses of funds in explaining why goals were drafted broadly to allow flexibility across the five‑year period.