Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hud Citizen Participation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff previews updated citizen participation plan for HUD community planning and development grants
Summary
City staff presented an updated citizen participation plan required for HUD CPD funding and outlined outreach done for the 2025–2029 consolidated plan; community members from Southwest/West Fresno raised concerns about outreach sufficiency.
Karen Jenks, manager for the Community Development Division, briefed the Fresno City Planning Commission on the city’s updated citizen participation plan (CPP) for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development (HUD CPD) programs.
Jenks said HUD CPD administers entitlement grants the city receives, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA). She said jurisdictions must follow HUD regulations that require written citizen participation plans and reasonable advance notice and opportunities for comment on funding amounts and proposed activities.
The presentation outlined the consolidated plan process for the 2025–2029 five‑year consolidated plan and the annual action plan. Jenks said the city gathered input for the draft consolidated plan through eight community meetings, 17 stakeholder interviews, two focus groups, two pop‑up events and a community survey; outreach channels included notice in the Fresno Bee, email to the city’s interest list, social media, door hangers within a one‑mile radius of meeting locations, and yard signs at meeting locations. Draft documents were published March 3 for a 30‑day public review period, with printed copies available at the planning and development department, libraries and community centers. Jenks said the final public hearing before city council was scheduled for May 1.
Commissioners asked about translations and outreach. A commissioner requested that Punjabi be added to the languages offered; Jenks agreed to expand translation of documents where feasible. When a commissioner asked whether the May 1 hearing was an initial or final public hearing, Jenks said it would be the final hearing for council consideration.
During unscheduled public comment, Bernette Harris of HEAT (Housing and Environmental Action Team) said residents in Southwest/West Fresno had not received adequate notice of community meetings and criticized the outreach approach, urging stronger engagement and saying she planned to submit complaints to HUD. Another speaker identifying himself as Bobby and saying he works with HUD and lives in West Fresno echoed concerns about insufficient community engagement and notification.
Jenks said the city accepted comments by email, phone, text, mail and at public hearings and that comments received are summarized with responses and attached to final documents submitted to HUD. She offered to email the presentation to commissioners and said hard copies could be requested.
The item was a workshop for information only; no action or vote was taken by the commission.
