City staff presented the draft consolidated housing and community development plan (FFY 2026'2031), which will guide formula-funded federal resources including the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grants. Miss Bohach summarized the planning process, datasets consulted, and eight priority outcome areas that include preventing and resolving homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, expanding homeownership opportunities, and focusing on behavioral health.

Staff explained the plan's neighborhood investment framework and target-area eligibility: area-wide benefits require that at least 55% of residents are low- and moderate-income, which led to map changes including removal of an East Town-specific target area and addition of the Boston Square target area. She told the commission the plan remains a draft; staff will continue to take public comments and plans to return with a final document on Dec. 16, 2025, so the city can proceed with year-one funding processes in January and bring funding recommendations forward in March.

During the public-comment period, multiple speakers emphasized urgent shelter needs and program capacity. Amy Brock said Degage had grown from serving about 44 people historically to roughly 144 and urged city funding for additional case managers: "The shelter system used to serve 44 or so folks. And now they serve a 144 at the last count that I gave... They have 4 case managers. That's 60 some women per case manager." Nancy Haines, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, commended the consolidated plan as "well thought out" and said it aligns with her organization's strategic priorities.

Other commenters called for local neighborhood planning on Leonard Street (NECA representatives), promoted innovative housing ideas such as 3D-printed houses, and raised concerns over an alleged police use-of-force incident in Boston Square in June 2025. A commenter asked the commission to consider creating a community conversation and a work group in 2026 to address systemic policing issues and to explore independent oversight and reforms.

Staff emphasized the draft nature of the plan and clarified that the funds discussed are anticipated federal allocations; the city will proceed with RFPs and application processes as allowed by final federal budget allocations. The commission accepted public comment and staff will return with a final plan for adoption on Dec. 16, 2025.