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Long Beach credits improved grant work as CDBG award roughly doubles
Summary
City staff said Long Beach's Community Development Block Grant award jumped this year to about $600,000 after years of declines, a change officials attribute to more professional grant management; questions remain about county allocation rules that limit public-service spending for seniors and youth.
Long Beach officials on Nov. 6 told the City Council the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award nearly doubled this program year after a decade-long decline.
City Manager Dan Creighton and community development staff said the city received about $600,000 this year, and that an additional $300,000 was recorded for the prior year. Staff credited the increase to more professional grant applications and closer collaboration with Nassau County, citing work by city staff members Patty and Tyler and controller Ina Resnick.
Why it matters: CDBG funds pay for affordable-housing and community programs. Council members pressed staff on the portion available for "public service"—which HUD rules cap at 15% of the total CDBG allocation—limiting how much can go to youth and senior programs. Staff said 15% of a $600,000 award would be about $90,000, and noted the county ultimately decides per-category awards.
Councilmember questions and public comments focused on distribution: staff said the city requested $60,000 each for senior and youth services but the county awarded $20,000 to each. Resident Crystal Lake urged the council to press the county and seek ways to increase funding for seniors and children; longtime resident James Hodge asked that a $30,000 allocation for the Martin Luther King Center be used for facility upgrades as intended.
What’s next: The resolution authorizing the annual allocation passed on a roll-call vote. Staff said they will continue coordination with Nassau County and can request reallocations but cannot guarantee the county will change its awards.
Sources: City Manager report and staff presentations at the Nov. 6 City Council meeting; public comments from Crystal Lake and James Hodge.
