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Housing department seeks council approval of HUD consolidated plan; CDBG and HOME funding totals reported
Summary
The Department of Housing and Community Development asked the council to approve the county’s five-year Consolidated Plan (FFY 2025–2029) and the FFY 2025 annual action plan to keep the county eligible for CDBG and HOME entitlement funding; HUD award amounts for 2025 were provided.
Kelly Simono, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, requested council approval to submit the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the FFY 2025 Annual Action Plan to HUD so Howard County can continue to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funding.
Simono said the consolidated plan sets housing and community development priorities and the annual action plan is the county’s funding application for HUD entitlement grants. County staff and a consultant conducted public outreach, held multiple focus groups and two community sessions; roughly 50 residents or partners attended the in-person sessions cited in testimony.
Simono summarized needs identified in outreach: affordability pressures on owners and renters, housing rehabilitation needs, accessible housing for residents of all abilities, and senior housing. She reported HUD award letters for FFY2025 show CDBG funding of $1,336,389 and HOME funding of $510,002.48, totaling roughly $1,846,000 for the county. Simono reiterated that the funds will be awarded to local nonprofits for housing preservation, eviction prevention, group-home renovations, rental assistance and similar programs.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the durability of CDBG funds; Simono said the county had received an award letter and had no indication of cuts at this time. She also described internal caps on administration and public‑service allocations as set by HUD and said staff follow those caps when awarding funds.
The consolidated plan and action plan were presented to the Housing and Community Development Board and recommended for approval before tonight’s required council public hearing. The council did not vote at the hearing; the plans were before the council for consideration.
