Community Development Commission appoints ad hoc panel to award $1.2 million in CDBG nonprofit grants

The Community Development Commission on Nov. 19 reviewed the city’s draft nonprofit Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for fiscal years 2026–28, heard staff explain funding priorities and deadlines, and unanimously approved an ad hoc committee to evaluate applicant proposals.

Brenda Vega, who identified herself as overseeing CDBG Public Services, told commissioners the CDBG Public Service program is federally funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Vega said the city’s annual entitlement allocation is $4,190,178 and that public services spending is capped at 15 percent; the commission last funded $628,527 for public services and staff expects a similar amount for FY 2026–27. “This year, the city's annual entitlement grant allocation was $4,190,178,” Vega said. She confirmed the program is biannual and that two-year awards will be made under this cycle.

Vega outlined priority service areas—crime prevention, crisis intervention and programs serving children, youth and families—and described application minimums: a $40,000 minimum request per program (which staff framed as $80,000 over the two-year grant), and a $150,000 minimum for joint applications (noted as $300,000 per fiscal year for joint applicants). She said staff will release the application on Dec. 3 for a 60-day submission window, will hold a training session on Jan. 21, and expects applications to be due Feb. 4. Staff review is scheduled Feb. 9–12, the ad hoc committee will begin reviews Feb. 18, the Community Development Commission will review on March 4, funding recommendations are expected March 25, and the City Council consideration is planned for April 2.

Several commissioners volunteered to serve on the ad hoc review panel. Chair nominated Claudio Gallegos and confirmed the panel as Commissioner Gallegos, Commissioner Alami and Commissioner Jacqueline Jimenez; a motion to appoint the three commissioners was made, seconded, and approved by unanimous consent. The Chair instructed staff to provide scoring criteria and application materials to the appointed commissioners; Vega said staff will provide scoring questions, collect commissioners’ scores, and present averaged results for deliberation.

What happens next: staff will publish the application on Dec. 3, offer training Jan. 21, and accept proposals through Feb. 4. The newly formed ad hoc committee will begin applicant reviews Feb. 18 and make recommendations to the full commission and, subsequently, City Council.