Regional CDBG panel affirms current rating criteria, notes federal funding uncertainty

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) rating-and-ranking committee reviewed its current application criteria and decided not to change them at the meeting, while flagging uncertainty about future federal funding.

Staff said the current rules set a standard maximum award of $350,000 for infrastructure projects and allow a larger, two-year award for applicants who have not received CDBG funding in the last five years. That two-year award is structured as $500,000 in the first year and $200,000 in the second year, for a total of $700,000, staff said. "I sent around the criteria that are currently in effect for this year," Christy, CDBG program staff, told the committee.

The committee also reiterated scoring details that were adopted in recent years. Staff noted criterion No. 2 now awards one point per housing unit, a change made because the committee found it was difficult for many projects to meet prior unit thresholds. The committee reviews priorities annually as part of criterion No. 10 to ensure alignment with regional needs.

Members discussed how the region's limits compare with other areas in the state. Christy and other members said several areas have raised their minimum awards and that some regional associations funnel funds into single-family rehabilitation because of older housing stock there. Not all jurisdictions allow multi-year awards, but the committee said keeping that option helps larger projects that need more funding.

Committee members raised concerns about the federal budget. One attendee summarized recent budget proposals that would reduce HUD funding and alter or eliminate programs used by local grantees, mentioning proposed reductions to CDBG and the elimination of the HOME program and some homeless assistance. Christy told the committee that projects already awarded this year's funds should be protected: "If someone has already been awarded the money, that money [is] set aside," she said, adding the state expects to receive the funds in July and that current projects should be able to draw from that allocation.

The committee agreed not to take formal action on changes at this meeting. State-level proposals — including a possible extension of the application period and adjustments to how awards are disbursed — will be considered at the state policy meeting in September and could inform changes for fiscal year 2026. The committee left the item on the agenda for further consideration and said it will take any motion on criteria at its next scheduled meeting.

The committee adopted the February meeting minutes by motion and later adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19.