Santa Maria council approves draft FY 2025–26 CDBG action plan, allocates public‑service and capital funds

The Santa Maria City Council voted unanimously April 1 to approve the draft fiscal year 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan, adopt the Block Grants Advisory Committee's funding recommendations for public services and a single city capital project, and approve contingency rules for shifting funds if HUD's final award differs from current estimates.

Rosie Rojo, the city's community programs manager, told the council the draft plan is built on committee recommendations and public input gathered over the past year and that the city is estimating awards for 2025–26 near last year's amounts. "We come before you tonight to conduct a public hearing to receive comments as part of our drafted fiscal year 25, 26 community development block grant action plan," Rojo said during her presentation.

Why it matters: CDBG is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that local governments use for affordable‑housing, public‑service and community development projects targeted to low‑ and moderate‑income residents. The council's vote moves the draft plan forward for a 30‑day public review and schedules a final council approval after HUD issues the city's actual allocation.

Most important decisions and figures

- The Block Grants Advisory Committee received 17 public‑service applications and one capital application; the committee recommended funding 11 public‑service applicants and the city sports complex as the primary…