Urban County Policy Board approves 2026 CDBG and HOME funding package

The Urban County Policy Board voted March 9 to forward staff-recommended allocations for program year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds to the Clark County Council, endorsing a package that prioritizes housing preservation, tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) and local asset and economic development.

Rebecca Royce, staff to the Urban County Policy Board, told members the HOME entitlement estimate for 2026 is about $530,000 and that reprogrammed and program income total “just shy of $950,000.” She said staff set aside roughly $53,000 (10%) for administration and noted a CHDO 15% set-aside is being held because “we do not have a total eligible applicant this year.” Royce said staff and board decisions will combine CDBG and HOME dollars to reach a $400,000 housing preservation set-aside for the round.

On the CDBG side staff estimated an entitlement of about $1.6 million and described limited program income available this year (just over $100,000). A 15% cap on public services left about $225,000 available for that category; staff recommended fully funding the top two public-service proposals (Battleground Health Care for dental services and Lutheran Community Services Northwest for health navigation) and using scoring to direct remaining funds.

Under staff recommendations the board would: fund the two highest-scoring construction projects in the affordable housing category (using roughly $600,000 of available construction funds); allocate about $619,138 to TBRA — which would fully fund the top TBRA applicants as scored; and direct approximately $617,033 to asset and economic development, funding Upwards, Proud Ground and other top-scoring applicants while listing several projects as contingency awards.

Board members pressed staff on which projects would receive partial awards and on flexibility to prioritize child-care services. Rebecca Royce said the board could reallocate funds between categories only within federal allowability and reminded members that HUD’s timeline for final award numbers and submission is constraining: staff said the county must submit an annual action plan and meet a May 15 HUD deadline after a 30-day public comment period; the county is also racing to meet HUD’s timeliness ratio by May 2.

After discussion the board voted on a motion to forward the staff package to the Clark County Council; the motion passed by voice vote. Councilor Young thanked staff and the applicants, saying the recommendation reflects “a lot of work” and the board’s goal of funding the highest-scoring applications.

Next steps include finalizing award amounts once HUD provides exact entitlement numbers in early May, issuing award notifications, completing required environmental reviews and risk assessments for funded activities, and drafting the annual action plan for public comment and Council consideration.