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Las Vegas board divides $500,000 in CDBG funds; prioritizes youth and homelessness programs
Summary
The Community Development Recommending Board approved an amended $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding slate, with line-by-line votes allocating amounts (including several $75,000 awards and $65,000 minimum awards) to organizations focused on youth, homelessness prevention and senior services.
The Community Development Recommending Board on Monday approved an amended distribution of $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, directing money to programs the board prioritized for youth services, homelessness prevention and senior supports.
Board members debated whether to apply a scoring cutoff, fund top-ranked applicants at the $65,000 minimum, or make targeted awards based on program type and applicant capacity. "There's no set percentages that need to be in a specific category," City staff said during the discussion, confirming flexibility in category allocation. Members repeatedly raised concerns about new applicants' capacity to expend federal funds and noted the city's administrative-risk scores when considering awards.
Member Patricia Haddad Bennett moved a slate to fund several organizations at $65,000 each, then amended the motion to specific award levels to use the full $500,000: Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth $75,000; Foster Kinship $70,000; Help of Southern Nevada $75,000; Jewish Family Service Agency $75,000; WestCare $75,000; Leaders in Training $65,000; and Real Talk Youth Impact $65,000. Haddad Bennett said, "So I would amend my motion to what is currently on the screen ... So 75 for NPHY, 70 for foster kinship ... 75 for WestCare, 65 for leaders in training, and 65 for Real Talk Youth Impact." Member McKnight seconded the amendment.
The board voted line by line, accepting each amended award. The transcript records several abstentions on individual items (for example, Member Prado abstained on one motion and Member Conyers noted a sustain/abstention on another) and a single recorded opposition on an item; each line ultimately carried, and staff will finalize awards pending City Council processing where required.
Why it matters: The decision directs $500,000 in federal CDBG dollars toward local programs that address homelessness prevention, services for youth aging out of foster care, and other community needs. Members emphasized prioritizing groups with proven capacity to manage federal funds and programs focused on youth to reduce future homelessness.
Next steps: Staff will implement the awarded amounts, prepare any necessary Council transmittals, and begin the federal grant reporting steps associated with CDBG funds.
Sources: Board discussion, staff financial spreadsheet updates, and motions read into the record by Member Patricia Haddad Bennett.
