Bellflower adopts 2025–29 consolidated plan and FY25–26 annual action plan; programs $1.097M CDBG and $2.564M HOME

The Bellflower City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-25 on June 9, approving the 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the fiscal-year 2025–26 annual action plan (the "con plan" and "AAP") required for HUD funding. Anna LeNoux, consultant from Avant Garde, presented the plan and the funding recommendations before the council voted to adopt the resolution by roll call.

LeNoux explained the plan guides how the city will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. For CDBG, she reported an allocation of $943,279, $78,000 in program income and $76,000 in carryover, for a total CDBG program amount of $1,097,279. She said 20% of the allocation was programmed for planning and administration (listed as $170,006.56) and 15% for public services. LeNoux identified recommended public-service allocations including Kingdom Causes Bellflower ($31,925) and the Bellflower Volunteer Center ($109,567), and proposed CDBG programming for code enforcement ($418,726), a small-business startup loan program ($150,000, estimated to serve about three businesses) and $198,004.05 reserved to support the Friendship Square Plaza infrastructure project.

For HOME funds, LeNoux reported an allocation of $389,914, $1,000 in program income and a carryover of $2,172,939, giving total available HOME funds of $2,563,853. The draft AAP programs planning and administration, CHDO set-aside and a proposed $2,200,000 CHDO project to support a low-income housing effort tied to the Wakeland project; a single-family rehabilitation program was proposed at $250,000.

Councilmembers asked several questions about the large HOME carryover, and LeNoux confirmed the $2.17 million carryover relates to a previously programmed CHDO project (the Wakeland project). She told council there is a three-year time frame HUD applies when HOME/CHDO funds are used for land acquisition and construction must begin and be completed within HUD time limits. Councilmembers and staff discussed contingency plans if Wakeland fails to move forward (for example, issuing a quick RFP to program funds to another affordable housing project) and noted a pending county-level appeal could affect Wakeland's funding ranking.

After taking public comment (none offered at the hearing), the council adopted Resolution No. 25-25 to approve the consolidated plan and FY25–26 annual action plan. The resolution and associated budgets will be the city's application to HUD for the CDBG and HOME allocations and set priorities for how those funds are expended over the next five years.