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Lancaster Council approves 2025 CDBG annual action plan amid resident complaints about grant access
Summary
Council approved the city's 2025 Annual Action Plan for HUD (CDBG funds). Councilors praised staff work; one councilor abstained and residents questioned access to critical repair funds and program size.
Lancaster City Council voted June 10 to authorize the mayor to submit the city’s 2025 Annual Action Plan (Year 5 of the Consolidated Plan) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a document that details projected use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the 2025 program year.
The vote followed a presentation and review by Rebecca Geyser, who fielded council questions at the Committee level and before council. Councilors praised the thoroughness of staff work; Councilor Arroyo announced he would abstain because his employer is mentioned in the action plan.
During public comment several residents pressed the council on access to housing‑related grants and critical repair funds. Irene Grievous said her property “remains condemned” despite repeated applications over four years and asked, “Where are these grants going?”
Rebecca Geyser responded at the meeting that the city’s critical repair program is not a multi‑million‑dollar pot but “a few $100,000,” and that many programs within the budget are targeted to owner‑occupied dwellings and include requirements when tenants are involved. Geyser said program eligibility and funding amounts create limits on how many projects can be funded in a year.
Councilors praised the plan’s housing focus. One councilor noted the city continues to commit CDBG dollars to affordable housing, critical repair and related needs, and thanked staff for what members described as creative program management despite shrinking annual funds.
The council approved the submission to HUD. Councilor Arroyo recorded an abstention; remaining members voted to approve the plan.
What comes next: the administration will submit the action plan to HUD and provide the promised, more detailed report to council later this year. Residents who raised concerns were told city staff will follow up on individual applications and eligibility questions.
