City staff briefed the Lewiston City Council on the development of the 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) that will guide spending of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Community Development Manager Catherine Ruth outlined the purpose of the con plan — to set five‑year priorities for CDBG‑eligible activities — and reviewed eligibility criteria (benefit to low/moderate income people, elimination of slums/blight, or urgent needs). Ruth said Lewiston historically received about $1.3 million in CDBG funding and has received about $788,103 in recent years. She described program areas under consideration including public supportive services (meal delivery, food banks, senior services), public facilities/infrastructure, housing rehabilitation and lead abatement, a modest economic revolving‑loan fund, and homelessness services.

Ruth described a public engagement schedule: assessment and outreach (Nov–Dec 2025), development and draft priorities (Dec 2025–Jan 2026), consultation and presentations (Feb–Apr 2026), a 30‑day public comment period, and a May 2026 council adoption followed by HUD submission. She noted HOME funds are co‑administered with Auburn while CDBG is administered by Lewiston.

Councilors asked about HUD funding trends and the role of the citizen advisory (CAC) committee; Ruth said federal funding levels are uncertain but that public advocacy has helped protect funding and that the CAC — a seven‑member committee appointed by the mayor — will be active in outreach. Staff emphasized the con plan must be broad enough to allow later amendments through formal processes and that targeted outreach will include neighborhood meetings, surveys and presentations to boards and committees.

What happens next: staff will run outreach, incorporate feedback into a draft action plan and return to the council for hearings and adoption before submission to HUD in May 2026.