Evanston HCDC recommends 2026 draft action plan, approves CDBG allocations and program funding

The Evanston Housing and Community Development Committee on Dec. 16 voted to recommend the draft 2026 action plan to City Council and approved staff’s proposed allocation percentages for estimated 2026 federal grants, including CDBG and HOME. The committee also approved continuing CDBG funding for the city’s housing rehabilitation program, a code‑enforcement allocation, and several sidewalk projects.

Committee chair Burns opened the meeting, confirmed a quorum and said the body would take two public comment periods: a regular period and a public‑input period closing the 30‑day comment window on the draft 2026 action plan. Public commenters raised competing views on inspections: some landlords said multiple inspections were burdensome and asked for better notification, while tenants said inspections protect renters and help hold landlords accountable.

Why it matters: The committee’s votes set goal percentages that staff will use to prepare a draft consolidated action plan for City Council once final HUD grant amounts are released. Approving continuing program funding allows several CDBG‑funded programs to continue operating on Jan. 1; deferring or withholding approval could jeopardize program continuity or federal timeliness requirements.

Key votes and motions at a glance - Minutes: Approved (voice vote). - Item 6a (allocation by goal, percentage of estimated grants): Approved (voice vote). Staff presented percentages including affordable housing 46.4%, homelessness 8.45%, livable communities 15.55%, public services approximately 12.1% (14.8% under one calculation) and administration about 17.53%. - Item 6b (recommend draft 2026 action plan to City Council after grant amounts released): Approved (voice vote). - Item 6c (CDBG continuing programs): Committee initially moved to bundle housing rehabilitation, code enforcement and public infrastructure. Council member Rogers asked that code enforcement be considered separately. The committee approved housing rehabilitation and the public infrastructure (sidewalk) recommendations by roll call. A separate roll‑call vote approved up to $200,000 for the code‑enforcement program; Council member Rogers cast the lone recorded 'no' on that item. - Item 6d (2026 HCDC meeting schedule): Approved; committee discussed moving regular start time to 6:30 p.m. for 2026.

What staff presented and next steps Staff described the HUD timeline and said tonight’s allocation vote approved goal percentages, not final dollar amounts; staff will update the action plan when HUD releases final grant amounts. The draft plan was recommended to City Council and will return if substantial changes are required.

Follow ups and context Staff noted the allocation figures are estimates and rely on prior‑year carryover to meet HUD timeliness requirements if grant amounts change. The housing rehabilitation program and the sidewalk projects were authorized to proceed with staff returning with final documents as needed; the draft action plan will go to City Council for final approval after receipt of the 2026 grant amounts.

The committee adjourned after approving the items on the agenda.