Westland council hears public input on $1.3 million HUD grants; Norway neighborhood requests larger share

The Westland City Council held a public hearing April 21 on the city’s draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) 2025–26 annual plan and heard more than a dozen residents and nonprofit representatives press for funds for neighborhood programs and infrastructure.

Joanne Campbell, the city’s director of community development, told the council the city is estimating $1,011,372 in CDBG and $286,930 in HOME funds for the coming fiscal year but cautioned the amounts are estimates until HUD issues final allocations. “HUD regulations require the city to receive citizen input on the use of these funds,” Campbell said, and the council will adopt a final budget on May 5 before the city submits its application to HUD.

The administration’s draft spending plan includes homeowner rehabilitation, down-payment assistance for first-time buyers, affordable housing development, public services for seniors and disadvantaged youth, homeless services, neighborhood services, Jefferson Barnes and Friendship Center improvements, Norway infrastructure and parks, and historic preservation. Campbell said federal rules restrict expenditures to qualifying populations such as low- and moderate-income households, seniors, disadvantaged…