Anderson proclaims April 2025 Fair Housing Month and recognizes CDBG/HOME programs

The Anderson City Council on a routine agenda issued two proclamations recognizing April 2025 as Fair Housing Month and April 21–25, 2025 as National Community Development Week, highlighting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.

Council members said the proclamations affirm the city's commitment to equal housing access and the programs that support housing rehabilitation, homeownership assistance and public services. Michael Cunningham, speaking for the Community Housing Resource Board, thanked the council and said the programs "truly do make a difference." He added that safe housing is "a critical part to someone's overall health and well-being."

The proclamation text cited federal fair-housing law and described CDBG and HOME activities funded nationally and locally, including owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, first-time homebuyer assistance, and loans to small businesses and microenterprises. The council noted national figures included in the materials, stating more than 1,000,000 units have been completed nationally using HOME funds.

City staff identified program personnel and finance staff who support the grants. Council members recognized David Tilly as the city's program manager for CDBG work, and thanked Margo Martin and finance staff including Elizabeth for compliance and accounting work tied to HUD funding. The proclamations were presented as ceremonial recognitions; no formal legislative change or appropriation was made during the presentation.

The proclamations were signed in April 2025 and the council encouraged continued local participation in CDBG- and HOME-funded activities and advocated for increased federal funding in fiscal year 2025.