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Norwalk staff seeks council guidance on proposed CDBG public‑services allocations ahead of March hearing
Summary
City staff told the Norwalk City Council Feb. 3 that an estimated $900,000 CDBG entitlement could yield up to $135,000 for public‑service grants. Staff recommended $75,000 for emergency services and $20,000 each for three top agencies and asked council for input before a public hearing March 17.
City staff asked the Norwalk City Council on Feb. 3 for guidance on recommended allocations from the city’s anticipated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for fiscal year 2026–27. Senior planner Bethany Carvenez said the city expects an estimated $900,000 entitlement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and noted the federal 15% cap on public‑service set‑asides, which would equal about $135,000 under that estimate.
Carvenez presented staff recommendations that include $75,000 for emergency services programs and $20,000 apiece for the three top‑scoring social‑service applicants. Staff reported the Social Services Commission reviewed 12 applications (scores ranged from 23 to 78 out of 100) and identified programs that address youth dentistry, science education, homelessness support, substance‑use and overdose prevention, legal assistance, mental‑health resources and job training.
Carvenez said three new agencies applied this year: Harm Reduction Circle, Mad Science, and Masada Homes. She described prior performance figures for several providers: Community Legal Aid had set a goal to assist 50 people with an $18,827 annual budget and reported helping 87; another program reported assisting more people than originally targeted; other programs had mixed results and lower final funding. Staff said the Social Services Commission met multiple times to evaluate applications and will present formal recommendations at a public hearing.
Councilmembers asked staff for more granular information. Vice Mayor Rios pressed for details on the nature of services provided by Community Legal Aid and requested invoices showing how funds were billed; Carvenez and her analyst Rocio Medina said legal‑aid services funded by the city had included eviction prevention, fair‑housing and tenant–landlord assistance, domestic‑violence and elder‑abuse matters, debt collection, small‑claims help for disabled clients and consumer issues. Councilmembers also asked the Social Services Center to provide examples of assistance (including home‑repair and rental deposits) and confirmed applicants must demonstrate Norwalk residency to qualify.
Carvenez outlined the upcoming schedule: a first public hearing on March 17, a 30‑day public review period and a council adoption at a second hearing before the HUD submission deadline on May 15, 2026. Staff requested direction from the council on funding priorities and on outreach to ensure residents know available services.
The council did not take a final vote on allocations at the Feb. 3 meeting; the item will return for public hearings and formal action in coming weeks.
