La Habra council approves 2025–29 consolidated CDBG plan, 2025–26 annual action plan and regional AFH

The La Habra City Council unanimously approved the city's 2025'29 consolidated plan, the fiscal year 2025'26 annual action plan and the Orange County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing on April 21.

Housing and Economic Development Department staff presented the plans at a public hearing and told the council the annual action plan is an annual document that "outlines proposed activities for each year's allocation of community development block grant funding known as CDBG." Susan Louie, a city housing analyst, said the consolidated plan "is a 5 year planning document that identifies the community's needs and provides a strategy to address those needs."

The action plan presented to the council is based on an estimated CDBG allocation of $594,000 and proposes funding for nine projects, including a public facilities and improvements project for Portola Park Sports and Cultural Arts Complex, which Louie said is in a low-income census tract. Louie summarized the draft funding breakdown cited in staff materials: $118,800 for public facilities and improvements, $261,100 for housing, $125,000 for (category not specified in the staff presentation), and $89,100 for public services. She told the council the draft documents were available for a 30-day public review period from March 21 to April 21 and that staff had not received written comments as of the hearing.

Council members asked how residents could participate in the planning process. Louie said the city begins outreach in November and holds meetings through February, notices those meetings in the newspaper, and offers Saturday study sessions with language support (Spanish, she said) so residents can "have a voice in where they see the community needs are." Louie also noted the federal HUD allocation is not finalized and staff must submit the action plan by May 15; she said HUD has previously delayed the May submission in years when federal funding was uncertain and that the city could expect final federal notice by mid-August if funding changes further.

Council discussion noted the possibility of federal cuts. One council member told residents the plan "looks great but it may not come to pass" if federal funding is reduced. Council members then moved to approve the consolidated plan, annual action plan and the regional AFH; the motion passed unanimously.

The approved documents will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and include required certifications and agreements. Staff said, when HUD issues a final allocation, the city will adjust administrative and recipient funding levels if needed.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the 2025'29 consolidated plan, the 2025'26 annual action plan and the Orange County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing: motion carried unanimously (vote recorded as "Motion carried unanimously").