Vienna approves participation in Parkersburg–Wood County HOME program, submits FY2025 plan to HUD

The Vienna City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to continue participation in the Parkersburg–Wood County HOME Consortium and to submit its FY2025 Annual Action Plan and five-year consolidated plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ryan Fluharty, housing coordinator for the city of Parkersburg, told the council that HUD allocated $252,591.13 for FY2025 and that the consortium also had $160,000 in 2024 program income for a combined total of $412,591. "That totals $412,591," Fluharty said when summarizing the funding available.

Under the proposed allocations Fluharty outlined, $40,000 would go to the community housing development organization (CHDO) allocated to Habitat for Humanity; $181,000 would be set aside for a down-payment assistance program for low- to moderate-income, first-time homebuyers; $150,000 would be reserved for a low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) project (a developer had not been identified at the time of the presentation); and $410.13 was listed for general administrative costs related to program administration and environmental reviews.

Council member Scott read the resolution authorizing the city's participation and the submission of the plans to HUD. A motion and a second were made; council members voted by raised hands and the motion passed unanimously.

The resolution directs city staff to submit the FY2025 Annual Action Plan and the consolidated plan to HUD for approval. Fluharty indicated several program categories would be funded if HUD concurs, but he did not identify the LIHTC project developer.

The council did not record a roll-call vote with individual member tallies in the meeting minutes; the mayor announced the motion passed unanimously by voice/hand vote.

The approved resolution and the budget figures presented will be transmitted to HUD as part of the consortium's application and plan materials.