Cedar Rapids holds public hearings on five‑year consolidated plan and 2025 action plan for CDBG and HOME funds

City staff on Feb. 11 briefed the council and the public on the required five‑year consolidated plan for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and on the fiscal‑year 2025 annual action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds.

Sarah Buck and Crystal Cole of Community Development said the consolidated plan identifies housing and community development needs, priorities and allowable uses of limited funds; it is required for the city to receive annual CDBG and HOME grant allocations. They described upcoming outreach (interviews with stakeholders, three open houses and online notice), a March review by the citizens advisory committee and a May draft available for public comment, followed by council consideration in June. Final submission timing will depend on HUD’s allocation schedule.

Buck and Cole outlined eligible activities such as housing rehabilitation, public facility improvements, public services and home buyer assistance. Staff also presented last year’s accomplishments: 1,765 individuals assisted with homelessness shelter and case management; 4,219 individuals receiving free health care services; 30 households served through housing rehabilitation or new construction; 64 youth served by programming; 128 individuals receiving transportation services; and eight households that received direct home‑buyer assistance.

No members of the public spoke against the plan during the hearing and staff said there were no written objections on file. The hearings represent the first of the required public meetings before staff prepares the draft action plan for public review in May and brings it back to council for consideration in June.