Garland holds public hearing on 2025–26 CDBG/HOME/ESG funds; local nonprofits seek homelessness prevention, youth and elder services

Garland City Council on April 15 heard public testimony from social‑service and youth organizations seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding for the 2025–26 program year. Presenters urged allocations to homeless‑prevention rental assistance, diversion services, youth camps and after‑school programs, and increased long‑term care ombudsman visits to Garland nursing homes.

The hearing matters because allocation decisions will determine which local programs receive a limited pool of federal dollars that the city administers for housing stability, public services and homelessness prevention. Council did not take final action on April 15; staff said work‑session review will begin May 5 and final council approval is scheduled for July 8.

Bernard Tolan, director of The Salvation Army in Garland, asked the council to fund a homeless‑prevention program and said, “The Salvation Army Garland is requesting $77,500 for our homeless prevention program, from CDBG to offer emergency rental and mortgage assistance.” Tolan said the request would support about 25 households with case management and up to three months of scaled rental assistance, roughly $3,100 per household.

Ellen Magnus, president and CEO of Family Gateway, described the agency’s diversion approach that prioritizes reconnecting families with informal supports rather than assuming shelter is the only solution. “So what we're seeking is support for City Of Garland residents, for diversion … We're seeking $25,000 to serve City Of Garland families,” Magnus said; she said that funding would serve about 20–25 families and noted the organization’s rapid expansion in recent years.

Arielle Turner, assistant director of the Long‑Term Care Ombudsman Program at Senior Source, asked the council to support more frequent visits to Garland’s six nursing homes to address neglect and staffing shortages. Turner said the program would increase oversight from the state‑required eight annual visits to “at least 24 visits per facility annually” and argued that consistent oversight helps vulnerable residents raise concerns.

Youth and recreation speakers asked council to prioritize after‑school and summer services. Representatives of the Garland Police boxing gym — including Argenis Santos, Mary Jane Zapata and Garland SRO Isaiah Williams — described year‑round programming that serves roughly 100–150 youths and highlighted a June 6 fundraising event. Hollow Bar Recreation Center supervisor Rhonda McTire described the STARS summer camp, which enrolled more than 50 campers last year and seeks continued funding as costs rise. Jennifer Alanis requested continued CDBG support for an after‑school program that currently serves 31 children and said additional resources would help serve students with special needs.

City staff member Mona (last name not given) told council members that applicants must return workbook worksheets by April 28, staff will compile materials for a May 5 work session and final allocations will be considered on July 8.

No budget amounts were requested for several youth and recreation presentations; when presenters provided figures, the amounts and intended uses are reported above. Council closed the public hearing with direction to receive the input, review applications and resume deliberations at the scheduled work session.

The public hearing included multiple speakers representing organizations that apply for federal public‑service and homeless‑assistance funding; council will review applications and make final funding decisions at later meetings.