Duluth committee recommends $8.8 million for affordable housing, outlines CDBG/ESG funding priorities for 2025 action plan

Suzanne Kelly, senior planner with the Planning and Economic Development Division, told the council that the Community Development Committee presented the consolidated plan covering 2025 through 2029 and the action-plan funding recommendations the council will consider tonight.

The committee recommended $8,825,000 to affordable housing programs, including housing rehabilitation and community land trust work intended to support about 95 units; $352,000 for public services (subject to HUD's 15% cap on public-service use of CDBG funds); $207,000 in ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) funds for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing; $330,520 for public facilities projects; $470,000 for administration; and a recommended $373,480 for economic development programs from approximately $613,000 requested.

Why it matters: the consolidated plan is a HUD-required five-year strategy that guides federal CDBG, ESG and HOME funding. The city must document public outreach and spell out priorities; these funding recommendations will determine which local organizations receive federal grant support in coming years.

The committee described a multi-pronged public outreach process. Kelly said staff conducted a…