City council approves draft 2025–26 CDBG action plan, earmarks funds for local nonprofits

The City Council on April 22 unanimously approved a resolution forwarding the City of Temecula’s draft 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Frank Perez of MDG Associates presented the plan and described the program’s federal goals: supporting affordable housing, public facilities, and public services targeted to low- and moderate-income residents.

Perez said HUD had not yet released the official allocation for the 2025–26 program year, so staff used guidance that the city would likely receive roughly the same level of funding as the 2024–25 year. He explained regulatory limits on spending: a public service cap of 15% of the annual allocation and an administration cap of 20% for program administration. Perez told council that, under the finance subcommittee recommendation included in the packet, the city had received 11 public service funding requests and that up to $87,269 (15% per HUD rules) could be allocated to public services; the draft also reflected approximately $392,891 available for capital projects such as ADA transition work.

Court-appointed special advocate program Voices for Children and Safe Family Justice Centers (domestic violence services) addressed the council during the public hearing. Sharon Morris of Voices for Children said the nonprofit served children in foster care from Temecula and asked that the city continue funding: "Last fiscal year, we served 16 children who were removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment from the city of Temecula. ... We really appreciate you." Marshall Hamilton, executive director of Safe Family Justice Centers, said the organization served roughly 200 Temecula residents last year and described how the requested CDBG funds would pay part of an advocate position that helps survivors navigate court, safety planning and housing searches: "When we have survivors walk through our door, everything changes. At Safe, we create a space for healing."

Councilmember Stewart, who said he had reduced awards to two agencies that did not appear to make a public presentation, moved to accept the finance subcommittee’s recommendations; the motion passed 5–0. Staff will submit the action plan to HUD and return with any final allocation adjustments once HUD publishes the official entitlement amount.