Dallas commission reviews City Manager—s proposed FY2025—26 HUD Consolidated Plan budget; discusses $300,000 neighborhood clearance pilot

The Dallas Community Development Commission on Thursday reviewed the City Manager—s proposed FY2025—26 HUD Consolidated Plan budget and discussed a new Neighborhood Clearance and Enhancement pilot that would use $300,000 in CDBG funds for targeted demolition and clearance work.

Shane Williams, Assistant Director of the Grants Division in the City—s Budget and Management Services, told commissioners, "Tonight, we will be presenting to you the City Manager's Proposed FY2025—26 HUD Consolidated Plan budget," and described the package of federal grants and planning timeline. Williams said the presentation used preliminary estimates because final HUD allocations remain pending and the City proceeded under an assumption of level funding to meet statutory deadlines.

The Consolidated Plan groups four HUD entitlement grants: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA). Williams said the combined estimate for the current planning exercise mirrors last year—s total of $29,179,823 and that the annual action plan for FY2025—26 will be due to HUD no later than Aug. 16, 2025. He outlined key federal limits and program assumptions used to build the draft: the CDBG public-services cap of 15% and a 20% cap on certain oversight/administration activities, the HOME requirement that CHDO development assistance be funded at no less than 15% and HOME operating assistance be capped at 5%, and ESG limits including a 60% cap on emergency shelter and outreach and 7.5% cap on ESG administration.

Why it matters: the Consolidated Plan and annual action plan determine how the City can use HUD entitlement funds for affordable…