Meriden committee hears pitches from 30 nonprofits and forwards CDBG consolidated plan to council

The Human Services Committee on June 3 reviewed the City of Meriden’s draft 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and Program Year 51 Annual Action Plan and heard presentations from about 30 nonprofit applicants seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Committee members voted to forward the plan to the City Council so the city can meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) submission deadline.

The city expects an estimated PY2025 CDBG allocation of roughly $927,552, Eric of consultant Civitas told the committee, and proposed a preliminary budget that includes administration at 20% (~$185,510), public facilities/infrastructure (~$90,103), a statutory cap of $220,000 for public services, housing/code enforcement (~$333,939), and a Section 108 loan repayment (~$98,000). Eric said the ConPlan sets priorities for the next five years — public facilities and infrastructure, preserving and expanding affordable housing, public services for low‑ and moderate‑income residents, and economic development — and that HUD will have 45 days to review the submission after council approval.

Presenters outlined how CDBG dollars would be used if awarded. Christopher Rendon and Martha Persha described Advocacy Academy’s services for students with disabilities and requested $10,000 (2024: $5,000). Jamie Gianini, director of resource development at the Boys and Girls Club of Meriden, requested $28,500 for after‑school enrichment and described a program that serves roughly 200 consistent after‑school participants and about 900 youth across services; she said transportation is contracted through the district and that fees are subsidized for many families. Maria Brereton, CEO of the Community Guidance Clinic for Central Connecticut, requested $50,000 to support adult psychiatric services and said the clinic currently serves 111 adults, about 62% of whom are Meriden residents. Other applicants that spoke included Girls Inc. of Meriden, Franciscan Home and Hospice Care, Meriden Soup Kitchen, and a newly accredited immigration services group, Raiz de Latinas.

Committee members asked questions about program delivery and capacity. Members clarified that the $220,000 public‑services total is a statutory maximum for all awardees combined, not a cap per organization. Civitas and staff also said the city will continue vetting applicant eligibility and financial registration and will notify the committee of any applications found incomplete or ineligible before final recommendations.

Staff and consultants outlined next steps: the 30‑day public comment period continues through July 18, staff will collect written comments and read them into the record, and the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration ahead of HUD’s August 15 submission deadline. The committee made a motion to forward the Consolidated Plan and PY51 Annual Action Plan to the City Council; the motion was seconded and a voice vote was recorded in favor.

The committee also heard a separate item on public‑facility requests (for example, a roof and exterior work requested by New Opportunities for the New Beginnings shelter) that would come from the public‑facilities/infrastructure portion of the budget rather than the public‑services cap. The Human Services Committee closed the public hearing and adjourned after taking the procedural vote to forward the plan.

The Council will consider the committee’s recommendation at an upcoming meeting; HUD review follows if council approves the plan.