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Escondido council hears CDBG and HOME overview; public urges using HOME funds for rental assistance
Summary
City staff reviewed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program timeline and requirements and told council a public hearing on the proposed amendment is set for Jan. 28; public commenters urged using roughly $350,000 in HOME funds for rental assistance rather than returning the money to HUD.
Escondido City Council received an overview of the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs and a timeline for an amendment to the 2025–26 annual action plan.
Norma O'Kane, a management analyst, told the council the presentation covered eligible activities, compliance requirements, accomplishments from 2020–2025 and next steps for the amendment process. "Tonight we'll be providing a presentation on our CDBG and home programs," O'Kane said. Staff flagged a public hearing on Jan. 28, a 30‑day public comment period in February, and a second hearing and planned submittal to HUD on March 11.
The public and several council members urged the city to prioritize rental assistance. Resident Richard Cannon told the council the city risks returning about $350,000 in unspent HOME funds to HUD and asked that the dollars be used for targeted, time‑limited rental assistance to prevent evictions. "Let's not return this money to HUD," Cannon said. Another commenter, Victoria, who identified herself as a real estate broker, said first‑time‑homebuyer assistance often is too small to be effective and recommended expanding HOME uses to serve people at risk of homelessness.
Council members asked staff to return with data on how many people have become homeless or are at risk in Escondido, demographic breakdowns of those households and detailed accounting of first‑time homebuyer applicants and remaining funds. A council member said the senior rental subsidy program can serve about 30 seniors and asked staff to provide fuller metrics, including contract data from the city’s legal aid/fair‑housing partner.
Staff described the current presentation as informational to begin deliberations and warned that specific amendments and a solicitation process will be brought back in February for council direction. Council members signaled they are broadly open to expanding HOME‑funded rental assistance beyond seniors to include other income‑qualified residents, pending the data and formal amendment process.
Next steps: council will consider a public hearing on Jan. 28, open a 30‑day comment period in February, and is scheduled to consider a substantial amendment and submit documents to HUD on March 11.
