Council approves Elkhart five‑year CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 action plan; $736,246 noted for program year

The Elkhart Common Council on July 7 voted to approve a resolution (25‑R‑33) authorizing the city to submit its five‑year consolidated plan (2025–2029) and the fiscal 2025 annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant funding.

Mike Hubert, development services director, and Mary Casca, assistant director of community development, presented the plan and related documents. Casca told the council the HUD allocation for the coming program year is approximately $712,246 and, with program income, the total funds available for the year are about $736,246. The consolidated plan aligns CDBG spending with other local planning initiatives including the Downtown Master Plan and the Benham neighborhood plan, and lays out seven goals for housing, people and neighborhood improvements.

Casca described program components that include owner‑occupied rehabilitation, affordable rental development, job training and economic development support, lead hazard reduction, short‑term emergency rental assistance, and neighborhood infrastructure work such as lighting and sidewalks. She also described the neighborhood revitalization strategy area (NRSA) tool, which allows targeted use of funds in areas where at least 51 percent of beneficiaries meet the targeted income levels.

Council members asked detailed questions about outreach and performance. Councilman Fish confirmed staff are working with housing partners including La Casa and Habitat for Humanity. Questions from councilors covered citizen participation turnout (staff said survey returns were stronger than meeting attendance), program reporting (the CAPER annual report will be presented in September), and measures of past program success (staff cited owner‑occupied rehab as a frequently used program with average awards around $20,000 per home). One councilor asked why homelessness and housing insecurity have risen despite a strong local economy; staff pointed to rental cost increases and an unmet demand for affordable units.

The council adopted the resolution on a roll‑call vote of 8–1; Councilman Henke cast the lone recorded no vote. The motion to adopt was made by Councilman Crabtree and seconded by Councilman Micheler. The approved documents will be submitted to HUD and the city will track annual outcomes and report back to the council through the CAPER process.